Ticks are found in most areas of the country, and in some areas can be a real problem, especially in the spring and fall.
Ticks feed on the blood of different animals and can be carriers of a number of diseases. For this reason, to protect both your dog and in some cases yourself, it is wise to take preventative measures.
The size range of ticks that are found on dogs ranges from about a pinhead to about the size of a big bean. The size depends on the tick species, the stage of the lifecycle and whether the tick has eaten.
How To Find Ticks On A Dog
Unless you live in an area that has almost no ticks in the spring and fall, it is probably a good idea to check your dog for ticks when they have been outside, particularly in areas that have dense brush, wooded areas or long grass.
It is also a good idea to check your dog if they have been boarded in a kennel.
Though the whole of the body should be checked, special attention should be paid to ears, neck, under the collar, and anywhere there are folds of skin such as between toes and around the genitals and tail. Many people prefer to wear surgical gloves. If you live in an area that has a high incidence of tick-borne diseases, this is probably a very good idea.
Work your way methodically over the dog, parting hair to be able see the skin.
The different types of ticks are different sizes, plus a tick that is hungry will be smaller than a tick that has fed and full of blood. An unfed deer tick can be the size of the head of a pin, therefore to find ticks, look carefully and look in strong light. Use a flashlight if necessary.
Note: Do not use hot matches, petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol or any other substance on a tick feeding on a dog. None of these will make a tick let go, and some may harm your dog, including increasing the risk of getting a tick-borne disease.
See how to remove a tick for the best way to remove a tick.
Controlling Ticks
The aim in controlling ticks is to minimize the exposure of your dog to ticks, and to use treatments that will stop any tick that gets on your dog from biting and feeding on your dog.
Outside The House
Control of the animals that carry ticks can help reduce the exposure of a dog to ticks. Major carriers of ticks include rabbits, rodents and deer. Measures such as fencing can keep animals, and their ticks, away from areas of the yard where your dog spends time.
Removing brush, dead leaves and other debris, and cutting long grass will remove the vegetation that could harbor a tick and transfer to a dog’s body. If your dog has a kennel, keep the area of it clear of any vegetation that could harbor ticks.
If the numbers of ticks are high outside a house, some people will use pesticide sprays to kill them off. Ticks are not insects, so not all products labeled insecticide will kill ticks, check before using. If you decide to use a product that kills ticks (acaricide), make sure the pesticide will not poison your dog or other pets!
Inside The House
Most species of ticks cannot complete their whole lifecycle indoors. An exception to this is the dog tick, which can feed on dogs at all stages. Therefore dog ticks are the most likely to cause infestations in the home or boarding kennels.
The earlier ticks are detected and the dog is given a tick treatment the easier elimination will be. Since ticks lay so many eggs, the number of ticks can rapidly explode. Check your dog frequently.
If you live in an area with high numbers of ticks outside, check both your dog and all people when they come into the house, to stop ticks being carried into the house.
When there is a tick infestation, a dog will have many ticks feeding on it. This can make the dog very miserable and itchy. Very young dogs, sick dogs and old dogs may become anemic and weak.
Remove all ticks for your dog (see Tick Removal for the correct way to detach ticks) Consult with your vet, and start treating your dog immediately with tick products. Treatments include Spot On, Collars, Sprays, Shampoos and Dips (see Tick Medications & Prevention).
If the house is infested with ticks usually the whole house, kennel, garage and wherever else the dog goes, need to be treated. Ticks will often hide out in cracks and crevices in furniture, walls, kennels etc. There are a number of sprays available that are approved for inside houses. With a heavy infestation, a commercial pest control company may be needed.
Next Page – Dog Ticks – Medications, Prevention,Tick-borne Diseases & Lifecycle
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See also How to remove a tick.
