As the weather gets warmer and the days are longer, outdoor activities become more inviting for us and our dogs. However, with the onset of tick season, it’s crucial to be vigilant about the risks these tiny parasites pose to us and our pets. This post will guide you through understanding the dangers of ticks, how to prevent them, and the best practices for spotting and removing them from your dogs.
What are ticks?
As the weather gets warmer and the days are longer, outdoor activities become more inviting for us and our dogs. However, with the onset of tick season, it’s crucial to be vigilant about the risks these tiny parasites pose to us and our pets. This post will guide you through understanding the dangers of ticks, how to prevent them, and the best practices for spotting and removing them from your dogs.
In the UK, common types affecting dogs include the Sheep Tick (Ixodes ricinus), Hedgehog Tick (Ixodes hexagonus), and Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), each capable of transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis.
Ticks attach to hosts through “questing” – waiting on grass or leaves to latch onto a passing host – and can transmit serious illnesses, making it essential to regularly check for and promptly remove them from your pets.
Understanding the Risks
In the UK, ticks are a significant concern for both dogs and humans as they can transmit various diseases, as mentioned earlier.
Here are the primary tick-borne diseases affecting dogs and humans in the UK:
Lyme Disease aka Borreliosis (Humans and Dogs)
A bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.
Symptoms include Fever, loss of appetite, lameness, joint swelling, and lethargy. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney damage.
Anaplasmosis (Humans and Dogs)
A bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.
Symptoms include Fever, lethargy, joint pain, and neurological issues.
Babesiosis (Dogs)
Parasitic infection that infects and damages red blood cells.
Symptoms include Fever, anaemia, jaundice, and lethargy.
Prevention
Preventing ticks from latching onto your dog is the first line of defence. Here are some effective prevention strategies:
Tick Preventatives: Use tick preventatives that are vet approved and recommended, such as topical treatments, oral medications, and tick collars. These products can repel and kill ticks before they have a chance to bite.
Regular Grooming: Brush your dog’s coat regularly to remove any ticks that may have latched on. Pay special attention to areas like the ears, neck, under their collar, and between the toes where the skin is thin and tender.
Environmental Control: Keep your yard tick-free by mowing the lawn regularly, removing leaf litter, and creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn.
Daily Checks: Check your dog every evening for unusual or new bumps or spots. Remove ticks as soon as you find them to prevent transmission of diseases.
Spotting Ticks on Your Dog
Despite your best efforts, your dog may still come into contact with ticks. Regularly check your dog for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors in grassy or wooded areas. Here’s how to spot them:
Physical Inspection: Run your hands over your dog’s body, feeling for any small bumps. Ticks can be as small as a pinhead or as large as a grape when engorged, but you can usually see their legs quite clearly.
Visual Inspection: Part your dog’s fur to look for ticks.
Behavioral Signs: Watch for signs of itching, excessive grooming, or head shaking, which might indicate the presence of a tick.
Common Areas To Look For Ticks:
• Under the collar
• Armpits
• Inside the legs
• Groin Area
• Around the tail
• Around the eyes
• Inside the ears
• Between the toes
Removing Ticks Safely
If you find a tick on your dog, it’s essential to remove it promptly and correctly to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
1. Use Tweezers: Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible.
2. Steady Pull: Pull the tick straight out with steady, even pressure. Avoid jerking or twisting too quickly, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin, causing infection. Make sure not to squeeze too hard to avoid crushing bigger ticks.
3. Clean the Area: Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area and your hands with antiseptic.
4. Dispose of the Tick: Place the tick in a sealed bag or container, and dispose of it properly. Do not crush it with your fingers.
5. Monitor Your Dog: Keep an eye on the bite site for any signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, and monitor your dog for any unusual symptoms. If unsure, contact your vet and follow their advice.
Image Source: American Kennel Club
Image Source: wikiHow
The quicker you remove a tick, the lower the chance of disease transmission. Infected ticks do not spread infections such as Lyme disease until they have been attached to the host for around 48 hours so so regular checks and prompt action are key to keeping your dog safe during tick season.
If you have any concerns or notice any symptoms of tick-borne illnesses, consult your vet as soon as possible.
Videos on how to remove a tick
With a tick removal tool:
With tweezers:
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