Dogs are very playful and adventurous by nature. They love to wander around and play whenever they get the chance to. Even if their playmates are not other dogs or humans, they play when they can. One of the favorite place’s dogs go to when they play are gardens and outdoor places. They want somewhere they can run freely and have no obstacles in their way. However, there are a lot of dog hazards outside, like parasites.
One of the most common parasites that dogs are most vulnerable to is ticks. Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of the host they latched into. The itchy part isn’t the big issue, but it’s the diseases they carry. Ticks can carry a wide range of diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, Tularemia, Babesiosis, and Powassan (POW). Ticks pose a serious threat to dogs since these diseases can lead to serious health issues like organ failure and the weakening of the immune system. That’s why as a pet owner, you should know how to prevent ticks. In this article, we will talk about tick prevention and the signs that ticks infest your dog.
Signs that your dog is infested with ticks and may have gotten sick from it already:
- Loss of leg coordination
- Paralysis
- Coughing
- Scratching or biting on a specific area of the body
- Rashes
- Fever
- Red bumps on their skin
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Labored breathing
- Rapid panting and breathing
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Change in the sound of their bark
How To Prevent Your Dog from Getting Ticks
Tick prevention products
Tick prevention products are now available on the market in the form of a spray. Consider using those, especially if your dog regularly goes outside. However, consult your vet before using one on your dog. You’ll never know that they may be allergic to some of its ingredients, or the ingredients may not be suitable for their breed.
Inspect your pet daily
Check your dog for ticks every day, especially right after they’ve gone outside or gone close to other dogs, cats and rabbits. Dogs can get ticks from the habitats of ticks or other hosts. Do not forget to be careful when your dog interacts with other animals because you’ll never know if those animals are infected with ticks. Thoroughly check their neck, head, and behind the ears since those are the areas where ticks can really bury themselves to hide.
Be wary of the environment he is exposed to
Keep your dog away from moist places with tall grasses and leaves. That is where ticks usually live. Do not let your dog play around with a pile of leaves, especially during fall and the wet season. Before getting close with other pets, ask their owner first if their pet has gone out recently or has been possibly exposed to ticks.
Know the symptoms
To prevent the situation from worsening, know the symptoms so you can take immediate action. You should know the symptoms and be observant to see if your dog shows any of the signs listed above.
Keep your vet visits regular.
Bring your dog to the vet clinic regularly. You may have missed some symptoms, and your dog may already be infected with ticks. Worse, they may develop tick-borne diseases or other tick-related diseases.
Groom regularly
Groom your dog regularly. Keeping them clean will prevent ticks from staying long and allows you to spot ticks if there if ever they are already infested with them. Shampoos and oils serve as a natural protection for your pet. They do not keep ticks and other parasites away, but they serve as another topical layer of protection.