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Old Dog Resources
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Dog Parasite - Ticks
Overview - Ticks are blood-sucking parasites
that are often found in tall grass, where they will rest themselves at the tip
of a blade so as to attach themselves to a passing animal. It is a common
misconception that the tick can jump from the plant onto the host. Physical
contact is the only method of transportation for ticks. They will generally drop
off of the animal when full, but this may take several days. Ticks have a
harpoon-like structure in their mouth area, known as a hypostome, that allows
them to anchor themselves firmly in place while sucking blood.
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Parasite target - Check your dog from head to
toe every time he comes in from outside. The places you're most likely to find
ticks are around your dog's face, eyes, and ears, although they really can be
anywhere. Be sure to look inside the ears, too!
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Symptoms - Ticks may carry various infectious
organisms that can transmit diseases to cats and dogs, including the following
(listed with possible symptoms):
Babesiosis--lethargy, appetite loss, weakness, pale gums
Ehrlichiosis--high fever, muscle aches
Lyme disease--lameness, swollen joints, fever, poor appetite, fatigue,
and vomiting (some infected animals show no symptoms)
Tick paralysis in dogs--gradual paralysis, seen first as an unsteady
gait from uncoordinated back legs (some infected dogs don't develop
paralysis).
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Treatment - There are three very effective
products that we use, fipronil (Frontline or Frontline Topspot, Rx), permethrin (ProTICall,
Rx) and amitraz (Preventic collars, Rx).
Frontline kills fleas and ticks effectively. Tick control lasts for 2
weeks to a month. The product should only be applied on a monthly basis
but can be used in conjunction with other products for tick control if
necessary. It works very well for flea control, so if that is also a
problem it may be a good first choice.
ProTICall is a concentrated permethrin topical for tick and flea
control. It is a very effective tick control product but a less
effective for flea control. It lasts 2 to 3 weeks but may be applied at
2 week intervals so it is possible to keep the problem under control
continuously using this product.
Preventic collars are also pretty effective. They have the drawback
of being toxic if ingested. This sounds like it wouldn't be a problem
but dogs will eat these collars right off of another dog, for some
reason. So we don't recommend them for multi-dog households, especially
if one of the dogs is prone to playing with the other dog's collar or if
one of the dogs chews things up frequently. They seem to last around 6
to 8 weeks in our practice area.
Source: our friends at
Vetinfo.com
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Prevention - Ticks are seldom a problem in
well-maintained lawns although edges of property supporting tall weeds and brush
can be a source of infestation. The best way to avoid acquiring ticks is through
prevention:
Avoid walking through uncut fields, brush and other areas likely to
harbor ticks. When hiking or picnicing in these areas, wear long pants tucked
into socks and consider using tick repellents. Walk in the center of mowed
trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation.
Inspect family and pets after being in tick-infested areas, and promptly remove
any ticks which are found (ticks most often attach at the neck and scalp).
Keep grass and shrubs in your yard trimmed, and clear overgrown vegetation from
edges of your property. Ticks avoid direct sunlight and will not infest areas
which are well maintained.
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Tick Removal - Early tick removal may reduce
the risk of infection of some tick-borne diseases
Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect bare hands with a tissue or gloves to avoid
contact with tick fluids.
Grab the tick close to the skin. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this may
cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
Gently pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed.
After removing the tick, wash your hands with soap and water (or waterless
alcohol-based hand rubs when soap is not available). Clean the tick bite with an
antiseptic such as iodine scrub, rubbing alcohol, or water containing
detergents.
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Human Contact -
Symptoms associated with tick-borne infections differ
depending on the type of infection. Common symptoms are as follows:
Lyme disease - A
variety of symptoms can occur, including a flulike illness, an expanding red
rash that may include a central clear area (a bull's-eye rash), arthritis, heart
rhythm problems, difficulties in thinking or perception, and neuropathies (pain
or changes in sensation as a result of nerve damage).
Human monocytic ehrlichiosis - Symptoms ranging
from mild to severe can involve many organ systems. Common symptoms include high
fever, headache, fatigue, nausea, weight loss and a spotted rash. Patients with
weak immune systems can develop a fatal, overwhelming infection. Breathing
difficulties and mental changes may also occur.
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis - Symptoms
ranging from mild to severe include high fever, headache, a general sick feeling
(malaise), achy muscles (myalgia), nausea, vomiting, cough, stiff neck and
confusion. Less than 10% of people with this disease will develop a rash.
Colorado tick fever - Flulike symptoms include
fever and chills, severe headache, achy muscles (myalgia), stiff neck, light
intolerance and, in some cases, a spotted rash.
Babesiosis - Many people will not have
any symptoms. Others develop fatigue, fever, drenching sweats, nausea, vomiting,
headache, muscle aches, joint aches and jaundice. Patients with suppressed
immune systems may develop severe disease
Tularemia - The symptoms of this disease vary
widely. Some people do not have any symptoms, but this disease also can be
severe, causing septic shock and death. Common symptoms include fever, chills,
headache and a general sick feeling (malaise). Many people also develop a
single, red ulcerated lump with a central scab and tender, swollen lymph nodes
in the area. A small number of patients develop pneumonia.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever - Symptoms include
fever, headache, a spotted rash on wrists and ankles, and a patchy rash on arms
and legs. Muscle aches (myalgia), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are also
common.
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