The Danger From Dog Ticks
The Danger From Dog Ticks: Dog ticks are blood-sucking insects with eight legs and
a nasty looking mouth capable of cutting and boring into the hosts skin. They also have hooks attached to their mouth, which allows them to cling onto the skin of their victim. You might say they are almost like miniature vampires.Unlike fleas ticks can carry a dangerous disease, which can become fatal if contracted by the host. So what are the warning signs to show that your dog has got ticks?
Very often when you are stroking your dog you will notice a small lump on the dogs skin usually around the head, neck, ears, or paws. If you find or suspect that your dog has a tick, remove it as soon as you can.
How do ticks attach themselves to your dog? Ticks lie in wait either in long grass and bushes and wait for your dog to walk by. Do not be fooled by these nasty little insects they can be dormant for a year without gorging on the hosts blood. Ticks are often more of a problem in warm climates and certain wooded areas.
If you find a tick on your dog you have to remove it as quickly as possible to prevent the risk of disease. Be careful what you use to remove the insect as certain old fashioned methods can cause more harm to your dog, by allowing infection or chemical penetration at the point where the tick is located.
When removing a tick always wear gloves or something to cover your hands. You can purchase tick removers from your pet shop or you can use a parasiticide to kill the tick and remove it from your pet. If you do not posses a removal tool you can use forceps or tweezers. Gently take hold of the tick around the head part taking care not to twist or squeeze the body of the tick.
Another method is to use eucalyptus oil, on the area around the head of the insect, which should make the tick release its hold on the dogs skin and drop off. Always clean the bite area and your hands after removal.
If you have left the ticks mouthparts in the skin and as long as the tick has not regurgitated its stomach contents back into your dog, then it will rarely cause serious problems. But as always, if you are concerned, call your vet.
There are many varieties of ticks depending in which country you live and the climate. Tick bites should not be neglected, as the diseases they carry can be dangerous if transferred to the host.
If your dog has been bitten by a tick and begins to show symptoms of:
Shows signs of swollen lymph nodes.
Runs a high temperature or fever.
Loss of too much blood.
Shows signs of anemia, paleness of the skin around the mouth.
Like fleas they can cause skin irritation or infection.
Swelling or painful joints.
Sometimes there is paralysis or muscle weakness.
Going of its food and lack of interest in feeding.
Although many of these symptoms can be caused by other health problems it is always best to contact your veterinary surgeon immediately as delay in getting treatment can have serious consequences. In high-risk areas there is a vaccine against Lyme disease.
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