According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, tick bites for humans are increasing across the United States, with emergency room visits for this time of year reaching their highest levels since 2017, and humans aren’t the only ones suffering. Thousands of dogs are infected annually with dangerous tick-transmitted diseases.
Ticks are external parasites that attach themselves to people, dogs and other animals. They feed on blood and transmit diseases directly into their victim’s system, causing serious illness or even leading to death. Fortunately, preventative measures can be taken to help protect our dogs.
Most major tick-borne diseases in dogs are bacterial infections that infected ticks carry. When these infected ticks feed on their host, they in turn pass the bacteria on. It is important to know that not all ticks carry disease, though a good many do. Major tick-borne diseases transmitted to dogs in the United States include:
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) comes from the deer tick and can cause stiffness, lameness, swollen joints, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue. A dog may not show signs of the disease until several months after becoming infected. Lyme disease can become a chronic or even deadly illness.
Canine Ehrlichiosis, (Ehrlichia species) found worldwide, is one of the most common and most dangerous tick-borne disease organisms known to infect dogs. Caused by the brown dog tick, symptoms may not surface until months after transmission and can include fever, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, runny eyes, nose bleeds and swollen limbs.
Canine Anaplasmosis, (Anaplasma species) also called dog fever or dog tick fever, is transmitted from the deer tick. Symptoms are similar to other tick diseases including fever, loss of appetite, stiff joints and lethargy, but also can include vomiting and diarrhea. In extreme cases, dogs may suffer seizures.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Rickettsia species) comes from the American dog tick, the wood tick and the lone star tick. Symptoms include fever, stiffness, neurological problems and skin lesions. Typically, the illness lasts about two weeks, but serious cases could result in death.
Canine Babesiosis is typically transmitted by the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. Causing anemia, symptoms may also include pale gums, weakness and vomiting. Unlike the others, this disease is caused by microscopic single-celled protozoan parasites that attack blood cells.
Canine Bartonellosis (Bartonella henselae) comes from the brown dog tick. Symptoms are intermittent lameness and fever. Left untreated, this disease can result in heart or liver disease. In addition to ticks, Bartonellosis can also be transmitted by fleas, lice and sandflies.
Canine Hepatozoonosis is caused by a tick-borne protozoan thought to be transmitted by the brown dog tick and Gulf Coast ticks. Unlike the other tick-borne diseases on this list that are brought on by a tick bite, this occurs when a dog eats one of these disease-carrying ticks. Symptoms are fever, runny eyes and nose, muscle pain and diarrhea with the presence of blood.
Diagnosing tick-borne diseases. Because many of these diseases may not show up for weeks to months after infection, some dogs may not exhibit any signs, and if they do, those signs can be vague and similar to other conditions. Thankfully, there are screening tests available. The broad spectrum of possible symptoms associated with tick-borne diseases in dogs (including no symptoms) makes annual screening for these diseases a vital component of your pet’s annual veterinary exam and can be done at the same time a dog’s blood is checked for heartworm. Consult with your veterinarian.
Treatment. The key to treating and curing tick-borne diseases is early diagnosis and treatment. Several broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat tick-borne disease are generally effective, especially in the early stages of the disease.
Prevention. Numerous products and medications to prevent ticks on your dog are available both over the counter and from your veterinarian, who usually suggests monthly preventative medications that also combat fleas. These come in oral and spot-on applications. There are also tick collars and different types or combinations of medication. Since dogs have different lifestyles and range in size and type, it is imperative to discuss these medications with your veterinarian to find the best preventative for your dog. No method offers 100% protection.
- Field dogs are especially vulnerable to tick-borne diseases because of time spent in tick-infested environments. Owners should be diligent about applying topical or systemic tick-control treatments before outings.
- Perform daily tick checks. Since tick-borne disease can be transmitted within 3-6 hours of a tick bite, early detection and removal can reduce and prevent these diseases from infecting your dog. Check your dog for ticks daily during tick season: spring, summer and fall, or year-round in warmer climates. Brush your fingers through his fur, applying enough pressure to feel any small bumps. If you feel a bump, pull the fur apart to identify it. An embedded tick will vary in size, from a pinhead to a grape. Ticks are usually black or dark brown. Depending on the size and location of the tick, its legs may also be visible.
- If you find a tick and do not feel comfortable removing it yourself, consider bringing your dog to a veterinary clinic where a veterinarian or technician can remove the tick and demonstrate how it’s done. Removing embedded ticks is a delicate operation because a piece might break off and remain in your dog’s skin if removal is done improperly.
Tips for tick removal. The best way to remove a tick is to use a tweezer or a tick remover – which can usually be purchased at your local pet store. If using a tick-remover tool, follow its specific instructions. NEVER use your fingers! To remove a tick from a dog safely, grasp the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible with fine-tipped tweezers and pull straight up with steady, even pressure. Never twist when removing as it may cause the head to remain in the skin. It’s always best to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after removing a tick. You should also try to save it or take good photos of it to share with your veterinarian. Drop the live tick into a sealed container or a jar of rubbing alcohol to kill it safely or wrap it tightly in tape. Wash the bite site thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Do not use chemicals or heat. Never use Vaseline, nail polish, lit matches or hot items to try to make the tick back out. This causes the tick to regurgitate toxins into the wound. Don't panic over a left-behind piece. If a tiny part of the mouth breaks off and stays in the skin, leave it alone. The skin will usually heal and push it out on its own but keep an eye out for growing redness and notify your vet should redness occur.
Prognosis. Most dogs can recover fully, but tick-borne disease can linger or rebound rapidly. A dog in recovery may appear to be doing well and eager to get back to everything you once did together, but that doesn’t mean that their body is ready for it yet. When your dog has been sick, they need time to recover and rebuild strength. To further protect your dog, your veterinarian should recommend follow-up blood work to detect recurrences. Finally, to make an informed decision about protecting your dog from tick-borne disease, talk to your veterinarian about the best tick-control approach for your dog.