Stopping Tick Bites on Your Furry Family Members
It can be frightening to snuggle up to your dog only to discover a tick embedded in their fur. Ticks are attracted to dogs, more so than humans, so it’s important you be on the lookout for the intruders. With proper knowledge of when and where ticks will bite your pet, you can help protect your dog from the threat of ticks.
When and Where to Check for Ticks
It’s important to know that the two most common ticks in Massachusetts are the Deer and Dog tick and they are on the hunt for a host right now. Spring and summer are the most common season for tick bites.
The Deer tick likes to wait for a host about 2 feet off the ground. So, if your dog has been running through bushes, they may have picked up a Deer tick or two. The Dog tick, on the other hand, prefers to be closer to the ground. They like to hide in longer blades of grass or pile of debris. If your family pet has been exploring an untidy backyard, dog ticks could be lurking under the fur.
On your dog, check for embedded ticks in crevices and areas with little fur. The most typical places are:
- Around the ears
- Inside the ears
- The areas where the insides of the legs meet the body
- Between the toes
- Inside skin folds around the head and neck
If You Find a Tick
Finding a tick on a family pet is common, so don’t panic. Remove the tick with a pair of blunt tweezers. Part your dog’s fur then remove the tick with one constant motion, making sure to remove the head with the body. Save the tick in a plastic bag and pour in some rubbing alcohol to kill the tick.
Next, watch for any symptoms of infection in your dog. Things like fever, lethargy, weakness, lameness, and joint swelling. If your pet seems sick or is acting out of the ordinary after the bite, call your vet. Also keep an eye on the bite itself. If it seems red and irritated, you may want to ask a vet for advice. Hold on to the tick; your veterinarian will want to have a look.
Common Tick Diseases in Dogs
There 7 common ailments that dogs (and some cats) can pick up due to a tick bite:
- Lyme Disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Hepatozoonosis
- Babesiosis
- Bartonellosis
It’s important to remember that not all ticks carry diseases and your pet has only a slight chance of becoming sick. However, the longer a tick stays on your pet, the higher the probability they will pass along an illness.
Prevention
The good news about tick prevention for your dog is that they actually have more options to keep them safe than humans.
- Preventative Medication: Talk to your vet about drops and pills that kill and repel ticks. Most of these methods are effective if a regimen is properly maintained.
- Shampoos and Collars: This method is not quite as effective but is a cheaper option than medication.
- Yard Treatment: When used in tandem with preventative medication, this is the best method to keep your pet safe. Talk to an expert on how to safely treat your yard for ticks.
Even when using these methods, it’s important to do daily tick checks on your pet! The sooner you catch the tick, the better for your furry friend.
Interested in receiving a FREE quote on a tick treatment program? Contact Backyard Defenders today!