Ticks

Ticks are parasites that attach to the skin and suck blood. Damage from ticks includes blood loss from severe infestation and skin irritation from bites. Ticks may also transmit diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia. Grouped together these diseases are referred to as "Tick Borne Diseases".

Adult ticks lay eggs on the ground in sheltered spots such as in sheds, in woodpiles, under rocks, and in the crevices of walls. Immature ticks hatch from these eggs. These ticks then infest plants such as grass and shrubs as they wait for a suitable host, such as a rodent, dog or cat. After feeding on the host for up to 10 days, immature ticks fall off the animal to complete the next phase of their life cycle. Before laying eggs, most species of ticks will feed on two or more host animals. A life cycle is usually completed in one year, but may take up to three years. Unfortunately, ticks can survive long periods of cold weather.

Most ticks require a moist environment for survival. But one species, the brown dog tick, can survive in areas of low moisture. This adaptation makes the brown dog tick more difficult to eliminate because it can reproduce in houses or kennels.

Ticks are indiscriminate parasites: they may feed on dogs, cats, rabbits, deer, people, and other hosts.

Symptoms

Ticks may appear on any animal that is exposed to tick-infested vegetation. If the infestation is uncomplicated, its only sign may be ticks attached to the animal's skin. Ticks are usually found on the ears, head, and between the toes, but may be found on any part of the body. Ticks may be found in various stages of engorgement, so they may be small and brown, large and gray, or any size and color in between. The skin where a tick is attached may be reddened and inflamed. This finding is common when ticks attach themselves to the skin lining the ear and cause an ear inflammation.
 
The above mentioned tick borne diseases have a wide variety of symptoms including joint pain, fever, lethargy, anorexia and anemia. Though rare, ticks may cause a paralysis in dogs that responds to removal of the ticks.

Diagnosis

Finding ticks is diagnostic of a tick infestation. Many of the tick borne diseases do not show symptoms until after the ticks are gone. These diseases are diagnosed with blood tests.

Treatment and Home care

A tick should not be removed by hand or forceps, but rather killed with an insecticide or alcohol and left to fall off on their own. Most often, while the tick body may be removed, the head remains intact and embedded within the animal's skin. Any microorganisms carried within the tick will remain, and removal may expose other animals (including the person removing the tick) to the microorganisms and any disorders that might result from their exposure. Insecticidal dips and sprays are available that will kill the ticks and they will drop off after several days. A collar called the Preventic Collar® is very effective for killing ticks and preventing re-infestation for 3 months. We also have once-a-month topical tick treatments available. In some cases your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications.

Eliminating ticks from homes and kennels may require spraying the premises with an insecticide designed to kill ticks. Repeated treatments are often necessary. Spraying vegetation with insecticides and attempting to decrease the outdoor rodent population will help to control ticks in the environment.