Tick in dogs: a common problem
Ticks are small arachnid parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including dogs. They are approximately 2 mm in size and can appear as small brown dots on a dog’s skin.
How do ticks get onto a dog?
Ticks commonly live in bushes and tall grass and are found almost everywhere in the Netherlands. They can get onto dogs during a walk or while playing in an area where ticks are present. Ticks are attracted by the warmth and scent of people and animals. When a tick detects a heat source, it can drop onto it or crawl upward toward it. The parasite then bites into the skin. A tick sucks up blood and swells into a black lump. After a few days, when a tick has absorbed enough blood, the parasite lets go again.
What are the symptoms of a tick bite in a dog?
You will often notice a tick because you can feel a small ‘bump’ when stroking your dog. If you have a short-haired dog, you may also be able to see this small arachnid ‘bump’ on the skin; if you try to brush the arachnid ‘bump’ away, you will not be able to, as the tick has bitten into the skin. Ticks like to settle on the head, in the neck, in or on the ears, and on the legs. Of course, a tick can settle anywhere on a dog’s body.
If you feel or notice a ‘bump’ and determine that it is a tick, remove it as quickly as possible with a tick remover. The sooner you remove a tick, the lower the risk that the animal will contract Lyme disease.
When a tick detaches on its own, which usually takes a few days, one of the most common symptoms is a small, red bump on the skin where the tick has bitten. This bump may be irritated or swollen and in most cases disappears within 10–14 days. Sometimes, however, the dog may develop a fever or show changes in behaviour. In severe cases, a tick bite can lead to infections or diseases such as Lyme disease or babesiosis.
If you see a red ring developing around the bite on your dog or cat, contact the vet. Especially if the red ring spreads in a circular pattern. Due to an animal’s coat, the rings are not always clearly visible. Diseases can continue to develop, and the dog may experience joint problems, fever, trembling and dizziness. The bacterium that causes Lyme disease settles in the central nervous system and interferes with nerve function. This can eventually cause symptoms of paralysis. In humans, the corner of the mouth often droops first and one eye can no longer close. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Lyme disease after a tick bite in dogs
Lyme disease is one of the best-known diseases transmitted by ticks. This disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is often transmitted by the Ixodes tick. Researchers believe that approximately 10% to 50% of ticks are infected with Lyme disease. Ticks that are not infected cannot transmit Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can range from mild to severe and may include fever, fatigue, stiff joints and swollen lymph nodes. If you suspect that your dog has Lyme disease, it is important to consult a vet as soon as possible for treatment and to prevent further complications. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis for the dog. It is important to continue the treatment until the vet says it is complete, even if the symptoms have disappeared.
Babesiosis
Not all tick species can transmit babesiosis. So far, there is only one tick species in Europe that can transmit the disease. This tick is called Dermacentor reticularis, also known as the ornate dog tick. The tick is slightly darker and larger than a regular tick. A few years ago, this tick was not found in the Netherlands, but nowadays there are places where it can be found. After the tick starts sucking blood, it takes approximately 3 days for the disease to be transmitted to a dog. You can recognise babesiosis because the urine turns red. Dogs also often develop a fever, anaemia and a poor appetite, and may vomit. In the worst cases, this disease can be fatal to dogs. Do you suspect that your dog has babesiosis? Contact the vet as soon as possible. Babesiosis can be treated with the right medication, and if caught early, your dog will often recover fairly quickly.
How to remove ticks from a dog
If you find a tick on your dog’s body, you should remove it as quickly as possible. You can do this with special tick tweezers or a tick hook. Do not pull the tick out with your fingers, as this can cause the head to remain in your dog’s skin, which may lead to inflammation. After removing the tick, the bite site should be thoroughly disinfected. If you do not want to or do not dare to remove the tick yourself, visit the vet as soon as possible. Keep an eye on the dog and check that none of the symptoms described above occur.
How to prevent ticks in dogs
You understand that it is therefore very important to prevent ticks in your loyal four-legged friend; prevention is better than cure. To protect your four-legged friend against ticks, you can use a tick collar, sprays, tablets or spot-on treatments. You can also prevent the transmission of diseases by removing a tick as quickly as possible once you have noticed it. It is important to check your dog regularly for ticks after a walk.
Are you going on holiday with your dog? Before you leave, find out whether other types of ticks occur there that can transmit other diseases. Ask your vet whether any additional measures are needed.
