Guide to Managing Tick-borne Diseases in Dogs

The very thought of your beloved dog struggling with tick-borne diseases is painful. As a caring and responsible pet owner, you would never want to see your fluffball suffering from pain and discomfort caused by these parasites. Ticks are blood-sucking parasites that affect both dogs and cats and can lead to various diseases, such as Lyme disease, which can be potentially fatal. Hence, it is important to adopt adequate measures and keep your pet safe from these pests.

In this blog, we will learn what ticks are, what diseases they can cause, and how you can prevent tick-borne diseases so that you can keep your furry companions healthy.

What are ticks, and how do they infect dogs? 

Ticks are small, spider-like external parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of dogs, causing pain and discomfort. They have flat, oval-shaped bodies with eight legs, and are light brown to brownish red in color. Ticks are present throughout the year, but are most active during summer and spring, and require extra attention and precaution during this time. If not addressed in a timely manner, they may cause harmful diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc. 

Ticks often infect dogs by coming in direct contact with the animal. They hide in grasses or shrubs with their legs outstretched and when a potential host, such as a dog, passes by, they climb onto the host to bite and feed on their blood. This is how they transmit the disease-causing bacteria into the dog’s body. 

Diseases that ticks can cause in your pet

Mentioned below are the most common diseases caused by ticks in dogs:

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Rocky Mountain spotted fever is spread by American dog ticks and Brown dog ticks, leading to fever, low platelets, swollen lymph nodes, poor appetite, neurological issues, etc. 
• Lyme Disease: Lyme disease, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, is a potentially fatal disease transmitted by Black-legged ticks, resulting in symptoms ranging from joint pain to kidney failure in dogs. 
• Anaplasmosis: Anaplasmosis, also known as dog fever, is carried by Deer ticks, causing lethargy, stiff joints, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures in some extreme cases. 
• Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is a common disease affecting dogs across the world. It is spread by the American dog ticks, Brown dog ticks, and Lone star ticks, leading to various symptoms including poor appetite, bleeding nose, and low platelets. 
• Canine Bartonellosis: A less common blood-borne disease. Canine Bartonellosis is transmitted by Brown dog ticks, resulting in multiple symptoms, such as altered brain function, seizures, lameness, and irregular heartbeat.  

What are the symptoms of tick-borne diseases? 

If your pet is suffering from tick-borne diseases, they may exhibit the following symptoms: 

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Bloody diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Low energy
• Joint stiffness 
• Loss of weight
• Pain or discomfort
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Increased thirst  

Where do ticks commonly hide on your pet? 

A tick can stay on various body parts of a dog; a few preferred places are listed below:

• Under the front legs 
• Around the eyelids
• In or around the ears 
• In the belly button 
• Under the arms 
• Around the waist 
• Around the tail and groin
• The neck and shoulders

Simple tips to manage tick-borne diseases in canines

Let’s have a quick rundown on some easy ways that can help you manage tick-borne diseases and keep your four-legged companions protected: 

1. Use the right tick treatments: It is essential to incorporate the appropriate tick treatments in your pet’s routine so that you can keep them protected from tick-borne diseases. Various tick preventives are available in the market in different forms such as oral, topical, collar, etc. You can choose one considering your pet’s preferences and lifestyle.
2. Check & remove ticks from your dog: Your dog may have ticks in various body parts. Make sure you check your pooch regularly for ticks, particularly the tail, groin, neck, and shoulders, and remove them before these creepy critters take a toll on your furball’s health. Consider using a tick removal tool to make the process easy.
3. Keep an eye on the symptoms: Understanding and identifying the signs of tick-borne diseases is essential to keep your canine’s health in check. Make sure you keep an eye on your pet’s behavior and if you notice anything unusual, speak to the vet immediately. 
4. Mow your lawn and trim the bushes: Ticks tend to hide in long bushes and attack your dog when they are having outdoor time. Ensure that your lawn is properly trimmed and bushes are small to prevent ticks from hiding.
5. Schedule regular vet visits: Taking your dog for routine vet visits may help detect any disease early. Your vet will diagnose the disease and provide necessary treatment on time.  

Bottom Line  

Although ticks are harmful to your canine and may lead to various health conditions, the good news is, they can be prevented with some efforts and appropriate treatments. Make use of the information provided in this blog and keep your furry companions protected from tick-borne diseases.