How to find, remove and prevent ticks on your dog?
Every pet owner dreads the day when they have to find remedies to get rid of ticks on their dog. Ticks by nature are parasites who live off by feeding on the blood of their host, in this case dogs.
How do I know if my dog has ticks and fleas?
Dogs exhibit symptoms that point to the presence of certain parasites. To assist their dog in getting rid of ticks and fleas, pet parents must pay attention to and understand these symptoms.
Ticks are arachnids, which means that they have several legs and can cling to things and onto their hosts tightly. By extending its initial set of legs, a tick searches for or makes an attempt to attach itself to the host.
Ticks may be more common in your pet if he/she enjoys the frequent excursions into the wild, parks and the outdoor life. If your dog interacts with other dogs, there is a possibility that there will be an exchange of these parasites since ticks travel from one host to another. No, you don’t need to prevent your pet from interacting with other animals or limit her outdoor time. In fact, not allowing your dog to do activities she enjoys could negatively impact her health and behaviour.
Common signs of ticks on your dog:
Excessive scratching
The most prominent tick related symptom in pets is characterized by frequent head shaking, licking and itching. Ticks on dogs are frequently missed by pet parents, or they mistake them for skin tags. Dogs often become agitated by ticks and your pet may scratch certain areas of the body more incessantly
Presence of blood spots on your pets skin
Infested dogs are bitten by ticks, which feed on and consume their blood to survive. Blood stains on your pet’s body could be a result of tick infestation
Lack of appetite and fatigue
An important sign that your dog has a tick infestation is if they develop high temperature and other symptoms such as fatigue and lack of appetite. Ticks may cause your pet’s immune system to break down. The symptoms of increased panting, agitation, loss of appetite and weakness may result from ticks feeding on their host and may be a sign of tick fever
Due to the presence of these parasites , dogs may develop new bumps on their bodies. Pet owners may feel the bump while petting their pets and stroking their coat. Use your fingers to push the fur aside in this situation and scan your pet’s body for ticks, fleas and bites.
These are the most common areas where ticks can be found on your dog:
- In and around the ears
- Around the tail and at the base of the tail
- Below collars and body belts
- Between the paws
- Between the legs
- The underbelly
- Armpits
How to remove ticks from your dog?
Tick removal should be carried out with utmost care and caution. When at home, remove ticks with gloves or soft tissues. Run your finger through the fur of your dog. Use your fingers to move the fur and obtain a clear view of any bump or lumps on your dog’s body.
Use your hand to twist and pull the tick out of your dog’s fur if you come in contact with one. Care should be taken not to pull too hard and hurt your pet as ticks can be found in delicate regions on your dog’s body such as the ears.
Pet parents can also use tick combs and brush their dog’s fur regularly to catch the bugs.
It is a common myth that flushing out ticks would kill them. Before flushing out or disposing of a tick, make sure to squeeze its head and ensure it’s dead, so that it does not breed and latch onto a different dog.
Make sure you brush your dog’s fur thoroughly after walks. Tick collars and sprays are easily available and can be used on your pet to protect them from ticks.
Naturally available ingredients such as neem leaves, cloves and bay leaves are said to be good defenses against ticks. Additionally, you can also try home remedies such as apple cider vinegar mixed with water in half and half proportion. This solution can be sprayed on your dog on a daily basis for a week to 10 days if he/she already has ticks, and then once a week to keep the bugs away.
Feed your dog a wholesome, nutritious and freshly made diet to keep his immunity in check.
ALSO READ – Why you should never skip flea, tick and worm prevention for your furry friends
What is tick fever?
Tick fever is common in dogs with high tick infestations.
Some common symptoms of Tick fever in dogs include,
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Respiratory issues
At a serious stage, the symptoms may include-
- Anemia
- Low platelet count
- Hemorrhage etc
From time to time, use gentle dog shampoos for pest control while bathing your dog. Do a thorough checkup of your dog on a regular basis to look for any parasites.
The atmosphere during monsoons is damp and wet, which makes it the ideal environment for ticks and fleas to breed. While your pet is susceptible to being a tick host throughout the year, pet parents must take extra precaution to prevent their dog from being infested with ticks during the monsoon season.
ALSO READ- Monsoon care tips for dogs
Care for the community dogs
The presence of ticks is a significant issue for stray animals. Because of their living circumstances, stray dogs are more likely to be hosts for these parasites. While it is difficult to prevent these strays from wandering into dubious areas and mixing with other infested canines, precaution can be taken to help these dogs from becoming hosts.
Simple home remedies and initiatives can be taken for the same. Check the street dogs in your area regularly for ticks and fleas. You can use medication, tick collars or natural remedies to remove ticks from stray dogs. Since tick medicines are loaded with harsh chemicals, always use them sparingly and with a lot of caution only after consulting a trusted vet. In addition, a fresh and nutritious meal goes a long way in keeping their immunity in check. Tick fever is more likely to occur and become dangerous for a dog if his immunity is low. Remember to feed your street and community dogs on a regular basis and no we don’t mean biscuits like Parle-G but a fresh, nutritious meal such as rice mixed with chicken, curd rice, boiled eggs, and so on.
Animal lovers who spend a significant time with stray dogs could also scan their own body frequently to check for the presence of any kind of tick or parasite before the dog gets infested.