do-dog-ticks-carry-diseases

Ticks are egg-shaped, spider-like and blood-sucking ectoparasites, which commonly feed on the blood of animals. They don’t jump or fly, they just climb to dog’s coat or skin. If you are a dog owner, then you must have across a tick on your dog outer surface.

Finding a tick on the dog has put many dog owners to think whether dog ticks carry diseases? Or if dog ticks carry diseases then what type of diseases they carry?

All these questions must be going in every dog owners mind. Our today article will cover do dog ticks are harmful to your dog or if yes then how you can prevent it.

 

Do Dogs Ticks Carry Diseases?

Ticks, as we have mentioned above, are blood-sucking parasites that can have a significant impact on your dog health. There are many several species of ticks such as brown dog tick, American dog tick, and deer tick(black-legged) and some species of dog ticks carry dangerous diseases.

More importantly, dog ticks are not just harmful to your pet, but can also be dangerous for you. If in any case, tick bites you then you can suffer from various diseases.

Thus, whenever you found a tick on your dog skin, it is better to remove it for the sake of your dog as well your health.

 

What Diseases Do Dog Ticks Carry?

Dog ticks can spread different diseases that every dog owner should aware of it and let’s find out the most common dog ticks diseases.

 

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is new diseases which exist all over the globe, and it comes in various forms. It is specific to U.S regions. The Ehrlichiosis disease is caused by bacteria, Ehrlichia. It can also affect people and other pets such as cats. It can infect dog blood. Notably, in the United States, many Ehrlichia species can infect your dog.

 

Lyme Disease

It is a most common disease found in dogs, and it can also infect human badly. Because of this disease, there are chances of kidney failure. The tick that carries Lyme disease is a deer tick(black-legged).

 

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is one of the diseases that can be transmitted to both dogs and humans. Again deer tick carries this severe disease. It is also with a nickname called “Dog Fever.”

 

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

This disease is mostly reported in the United States, Mexico, and Western Canada. It is one of the severe illnesses that can lead to a sudden death or kidney failure. Brown and American dog tick carry this disease.

 

Hepatozoonosis

Hepatozoonosis carriers are brown dog tick, and Gulf Coast tick. Two organisms H.canis and H.americanium are associated with this disease. Both have different health issues for their dog. These ticks are mostly found in temperate and tropical regions.

 

Babesiosis

Carriers of Babesiosis are black-legged deer tick and brown dog tick. Anemia is the most common symptom of this infection. It is found all over the globe. However, it has most prevalence in New England and US.
What are the Common Symptoms of Dog Ticks Diseases?

 

Symptoms of Disease

The symptoms are specific to the disease, and here, we are going to mention signs of every illness so that you can prevent your dog from illness.

 

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Symptoms of Lyme disease are unpredictable, and it can take months to diagnose its symptoms. However, some of are:

  • Joint Pain
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Decreased Appetite
  • Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis
  • Fever
  • Decreased Appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Watery eyes or a runny nose
  • Respiratory distress
  • Depression
  • Enlarged limbs
  • Blood Noses( Frequent)

 

Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

  • Fever
  • Muscle or Joint Pain
  • Anorexia
  • Anemia
  • Depression
  • Vomiting
  • Skin Lesions

 

Symptoms of Hepatozoonosis

  • Bloody Diarrhea
  • Muscle Pain
  • Watery Eyes
  • A Runny Nose
  • Fever

 

Symptoms of Babesiosis

  • Dark Urine
  • Fever
  • Swollen Lymph nodes
  • Weakness
  • Anemia

 

Hence, these are the symptoms that are most commonly found. It is recommended to take your pet to your vet if you ever feel these signs in your dog or to avoid further complications in your dog health. As if you ignore then it can also put a risk to your dog life.

 

How to Get Rid of Ticks on Your Dog?

Diseases are not transmitted immediately to dogs from ticks. Hence, if you find ticks on your dog, then it is better to remove ticks from your dog skin within a few hours. Otherwise, a tick bite can infect your dog which leads to further health problems to your dog.

You can get rid of ticks from your dogs simply following three simple steps:

  • Use tick removal gadgets such as tweezers to grasp the tick head.
  • Pull tick firmly and gently in an upward direction.
  • Once able to remove the tick from your dog skin, apply either iodine or alcohol as disinfect to the wound to prevent infection.

 

What are Prevention Tips for Dog Ticks?

  • Check regularly if there is a tick to your dog.
  • If you find ticks to your home property, then remove them immediately.
  • You can use chemical sprays to yard get rid of ticks.
  • Give immediate treatment for dog tick infection.
  • You can use tick removal shampoos on your dog.

 

What if Dog Tick Bites you?

You might be wondering or want to know tick bite symptoms to human. Ticks like to bite on moist and warm areas of your body.

Generally, tick bites are considered the harmless. However, the bites can cause different allergic reactions or diseases to humans. There are symptoms that you can experience if a tick bites you:

  • Swelling or Pain on the part of the body where tick bites you.
  • Rash
  • Burning sensation
  • A headache
  • Weakness or Fever
  • Muscle Pain or Joint Pain

 

Conclusion

Hence, dog ticks carry severe diseases and thus, it is vital to take immediate action whenever you feel the sign of a tick bite. Don’t take ticks lightly because you never know when you can put yourself or your dog in the risk of health problems.

 

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