What is a tick?
A tick is a very small arachnid. They have no wings and 8 legs. There are over 800 species of tick, worldwide, but in the UK the Sheep or Castor Bean Tick is most common. They insert their mouthparts into your pet’s skin, using this their attachment point to live off your pet’s blood. As they drink more and more blood, the tick grows larger and larger. They can live for up to 3 years, changing hosts as they grow!
Should I be worried about ticks?
Ticks are very itchy and uncomfortable for our pets. The bite site can become red and irritated. If your pet excessively scratches, there may be bleeding or a wound forming. Ticks can carry nasty diseases which could prove fatal, including Babesia, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. You should be careful when out walking your dog and try to prevent your pet from carrying ticks. If enough ticks remain in the skin for long enough, they can suck so much blood out of your pet that it causes anaemia (a reduced number of red blood cells within the blood), especially in small dogs with a very heavy burden of parasites.
How can I prevent my dog from getting ticks?
There are many products available that can prevent ticks. The veterinary products are all safe to use in different situations. Our vets can recommend the best product for you based on which pets you have in your household, any allergies, administration method and frequency of application. We can offer spot ons (a small volume of liquid that gets put between the shoulder blades), tablets, sprays and collars (a collar that prevents the attachment of ticks).
Where can my dog catch ticks?
Your dog can catch ticks from many places. Ticks are more active in areas with long grass. They are commonly found in moorlands, woodlands or grassland and most commonly seen between spring and autumn. If you commonly walk through areas which are known for high tick concentrations, or new areas, you should run your hands over your pet’s body and feel for any swellings once you are home. The tick will be attached to the skin so you need to pull the fur back to view the skin and insertion point.
It is hard to prevent exposure to ticks. Your pet can get ticks from other animals so reducing the contact your pet has with other animals, especially wild animals will help to reduce the risk of your pet getting ticks.
The most important thing is to make sure that the tick dies as quickly as possible. If they are removed or killed within 24-48 hours, they are unlikely to spread infection. It is only in the later stages of feeding that they regurgitate. This is what spreads bacteria into the dog’s bloodstream.
How do I know if my pet has ticks?
If your pet has ticks, they may show a variety of clinical signs. Mild symptoms include local redness and itching. If they are infected with a tick-borne disease, signs may be more severe, but are often delayed by days or even weeks after the bite. These signs may include neck stiffness, nausea, weakness, muscle or joint pain, and increased temperature.
The best way to know if a tick is present is to feel it or see it. You should look for ticks in warm areas of your pet’s body. They like to attach in the groin, armpit and around the head, so be sure to check these areas. Remember, all dogs (including boys) have nipples, so make sure you know what your dog’s nipples look and feel like, then you will not get confused!
What shall I do if my pet gets a tick?
If your pet has a tick, you will see it on your pet’s skin. You should try to remove it as soon as possible. The sooner it is removed, the less damage the tick can cause. You need to remember to try to remove the full tick, because often the mouth part is left inside the pet.
The best way is to use a tick hook to twist it out. Our nurses will be able to advise you. Do not try to pull it out or put any chemicals on it. While this will kill the tick, it increases the chances of infection and even abscesses forming.
Most of the time, your pet will be bitten by a tick that does not carry an infectious disease and your pet will suffer mainly from irritation. If you notice any further changes in your pet’s behaviour or appearance apart from localised redness, you should contact us.
Can I catch a tick from my pet?
Yes, humans can get ticks too, and ticks can give humans diseases. The most common disease transmitted to humans is Lyme disease. If you are concerned you may have been bitten by a tick, contact your doctor for advice.
Together we can reduce the effect ticks have on our pets and our lives. There are simple and safe medications that can hugely reduce the risk. Talk to us about it today.
