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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Ian Nicholson has been around dogs for over fifty
years and invites you to visit him at
http://www.choosebestdogbreed.com to claim your
free e-Book and learn more about dog ticks.


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