Ticks are arachnids that live off the blood of mammals, birds, and amphibians. They are highly active during the spring and summer months. Ticks bites could be extremely harmful. Ticks carry a variety of diseases, and if not removed from your dog, could cause severe illness. One of the diseases ticks are known to carry is Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacterium that causes inflammation in the joints, recurrent lameness, severe lack in appetite and depression. In more serious cases, it could lead to kidney, heart and central nervous system damage. For more information about Lyme disease and how it could affect your dog, please visit petmd.com. There is no way to completely prevent your dog from getting ticks; however there are preventive measures you can take. Here are some ways to protect your dog from ticks.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs
Spot-On Treatments
These are over the counter medications you can purchase from a pet store, online or veterinarian. This medication usually lasts one month to keep fleas and ticks at bay. There are several different brands and options to choose from. So before purchasing a treatment, please consult with your veterinarian to find which medication would be best for your pet. With spot-on treatments, you have to treat each pet member in your household to be to most effective.
Oral Medications
This is a great alternative to spot-on treatments. You would give your dog a pill on a monthly basis. This pill will kill ticks and immature fleas. It also disrupts the flea cycle. Before starting this medication, talk with your veterinarian about the best course of treatment for your pet.
Shampoos
Another option is to bathe your dog with a shampoo containing medicating ingredients. The shampoo should kill the ticks on contact. This can be an inexpensive, although labor intensive, treatment for getting rid of ticks. You will need to repeat the bath every two weeks because the medication doesn’t last as long as the spot-on or oral treatments.
Tick Dips
Dipping is different from bathing. With dips, you dilute a medicated liquid with water and pour it over your dog’s back. You do not rinse it off. The chemicals used in dips can be very strong, so read the instructions and ingredients carefully. Dips are not to be used on dogs under 4 months of age, pregnant or nursing dogs. Please consult your veterinarian about how to treat ticks for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs.
Tick Collars
Tick collars typically repel ticks on the head and neck area. The tick collar needs to make contact with your dog’s skin to transfer the medication to other areas of the body. When placing the collar on your dog, you need to make sure you can slip two fingers under the collar. Monitor your dog’s behavior to ensure that they aren’t having discomfort. If you notice a rash or any other abnormal behavior, remove the collar and contact your vet.
Powders
This is another topical application, however when using powders, you have to be extremely careful during application. Be sure the powder you’re using is labeled for dogs as well as their specific age. Read the label to ensure that it is designed to kill fleas and ticks. The fine powder can be an irritant if inhaled through your nose and mouth, so be sure to apply in small amounts and rub into the skin. You will need to reapply the powder weekly during peak seasons. The nice thing about some powders is that you can sprinkle some in your dog’s bed and places where they frequent.
Tick Sprays
Tick sprays kills ticks instantly and provides some residual protection. Sprays are best used in conjunction with dips and shampoos or if you’ll be in a heavily wooded area. Be careful not to get this medication, or any tick medication, near your dog’s face.
Treat your yard and house
Keeping your bushes, trees and grass trimmed could eliminate the tick population in your backyard. The fewer places for them to breed and live, the less of a population you will have. If you are having a problem with ticks, you can purchase a yard spray from your veterinarian, pet store or hardware store. Just be careful when using these products, they can be harmful to animals, fish and humans. If you notice an extreme amount, consider calling a professional exterminator to treat your yard.
Check Your Dogs
After a romp outside, check your dogs for any ticks. Start at the head and run your fingers along the body checking for any pea sized lumps. Ticks like dark places so be sure to check between the toes, neck, inside the ears, embedded in the fur and their armpits (where the leg meets the body) also. If you find any ticks before they have become engorged you have prevented illness for your dog. If you find a tick that has already attached to your dog, remove it immediately. When removing a tick from your dog, be sure you get all parts of the tick. Sometimes the head will become detached from the body. If you leave the head attached if could cause an infection. You may want to wear gloves or use a paper towel when handling ticks. Use tweezers or a special tick removal tool to grip the tick by the head, as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out slowly and firmly without squeezing the body. After you have removed the tick, place it in some rubbing alcohol. Do not squash the tick. The place where you removed the tick from your dog will leave a small wound. Clean your dog’s skin with some disinfectant or apply some triple antibiotic ointment. The wound should heal on its own.
Remember, when treating your dog with any kind of medication please be sure to consult your veterinarian first. They will be able to determine which course of treatment is best for your pet.