Summer has arrived, and pet owners are taking their dogs out for adventures in the great outdoors. However, hidden in the forests, grass, and bushes where owners might not notice, ticks are becoming active. Nowadays, many pet owners are becoming aware of the importance of deworming their dogs, understanding the seriousness of parasite infections. Among common external parasites, ticks are one of the more prevalent and high-risk types. Concerns arise when dogs get bitten by ticks during outdoor activities. This article focuses on educating about ticks and provides solutions for dealing with tick-infested dogs.
What are Ticks? Ticks, also known as ixodids or hard ticks, comprise over 800 species worldwide, with over 100 discovered in China. Ticks often hide in the bushes, forests, and grasses where dogs love to roam, making dogs susceptible to tick infestations. Dogs that have ticks are referred to as tick-infested dogs.
Ticks are tiny, with a size of around 2mm. Once they feed on blood, they can swell to the size of a small peanut. While the primary concern with ticks is blood-sucking, their dangers extend beyond this aspect.
Hazards of Ticks:
- Transmission of another parasite: Babesia, a microscopic parasite, can be transmitted through tick bites. Babesia infection damages a dog’s red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as high fever, anemia, and other health issues, with a risk of death.
- Some hard ticks secrete neurotoxins during feeding, causing paralysis in the host.
- Ticks can carry over a hundred types of bacteria and viruses, causing infectious diseases. Tick-infested dogs can transmit these diseases to humans. People who come into contact with tick-infested dogs and experience symptoms like fever, dizziness, and fatigue should seek medical attention promptly.
What to Do if Your Dog Gets Bitten by Ticks? When a dog is bitten by ticks, the immediate response is often to remove the ticks. However, ticks differ from common bloodsucking parasites. Even after engorging on blood, ticks don’t easily release their grip. Ticks embed their mouthparts into the skin, and attempting to manually remove them can leave the tick’s head embedded, causing wounds.
For effective tick removal, it’s recommended to use specialized tick medications for dogs. These medications work by making the ticks detach themselves from the dog naturally. One such product is Frontline, an effective tick medication. Administering Frontline involves applying drops directly to the dog’s back, and within 48 hours, the medication is absorbed through the dog’s sebaceous glands, leading to the death of ticks, which then fall off naturally.
Prevention is crucial, and regular use of Frontline not only treats tick-infested dogs but also prevents future infestations and offers ongoing protection. Additionally, avoiding grassy areas and bushes and regularly grooming and inspecting a dog’s skin are effective preventive measures.
In conclusion, tick bites pose significant risks, and prevention is key. Instead of dealing with tick bites after the fact, it’s advisable to take proactive measures. Administering tick medications and implementing preventive strategies in daily life can help keep dogs safe from tick infestations.
