Good Lifestyle

Nothing lights fear in the soul of an outdoor adventurer just like ticks. Each year there is new data On prosperous tick populations and the diseases they have. According to the tick, a bite can cause anything, from minor irritation to Lyme disease. And the problems posed by holders are not limited to people. While many of us, humans tend to stay outside the shrubs and tall grass, our puppies are not wiser for the dangers hiding inside. If you suspect that your dog has a tick bite, read the rest for certain advice approved by veterinarians to withdraw the parasite and provide appropriate monitoring.

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How do dogs get ticks?

Dogs get ticks in the same way as humans. They generally collect them outside, but they can even acquire them inside if the pest was brought by another animal or person. Ticks tend to spend time in brushed, wooded or grassy areas, which means that they could be present in your courtyard or where you go for walks, especially if you tend to turn the trails.

Ticks tend to prefer warm and humid places, such as your dog's ears, speaker, collar, legs, toes and tail.

How dangerous for dogs?

Ticks can transmit dangerous bacteria to your puppy. However, "if a tick is withdrawn within 16 hours, there is much more chance of transmitting a disease," said Gauge , DVM, Veterinary care expert with teachme.To.

Examples of diseases transmitted by the ticks that occur in dogs include Lyme disease, rickettsia disease, ehrlight, spotted fever of the rocky mountains, anaplasmosis, etc. Many of these problems can be treated effectively with antibiotics prescribed by your veterinarian. There are also vaccines for some of them.

How to identify a tick

There are many types of common ticks across the country, but they all share some key characteristics. Ticks have eight legs (these are technically arachnids, such as spiders) and vary in size from a few millimeters to the length of a pencil gum. When a tick takes blood, her abdomen swells. They are generally brown, red or black.

After a tick biting a host, he can stay attached to two weeks.

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How to remove ticks from dogs

Assemble your supplies.

There are a few items that you want to have on hand before you start, says Robert Gonzalez , DVM, regional medical director at the small veterinary door. These are in particular fine point tweezers or a tool for removing ticks, gloves, antiseptic wipes, a zipper or a container with a lid, a rubbing alcohol and treats to keep your dog calm . AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Locate the check mark.

First, put your gloves to protect you from possible infections. Then separate your dog's fur to expose the tick. Good lighting will help, advise Gonzalez.

Take out your tweezers.

"Enter the tie as close as possible from the dog's skin with fine point tweezers or the tick removal tool," explains Gonzalez. "Do not twist or squeeze the checkout; pull the check directly with a slow and stable movement." Avoid tightening the body of the tick, which can inject infected material into the dog.

"Make sure the whole checkout, including oral parts, is deleted," said Gonzalez.

Have the check mark.

Do not crush it or do not reject it outside. "Place the check in a container with friction alcohol to kill it," said Gonzalez.

Clean the area.

Use your antiseptic wipes to clean the bite area on the dog.

Reward your puppy.

They deserve a treat to be courageous and patient - so don't jump this step!

What kind of monitoring my dog ​​will need?

Keep the area clean.

Like any injury, you will want to monitor the bite area. "Continue to clean the bite area with an antiseptic for a few days to prevent infection," says Gonzalez.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian.

They should know the meeting of your dog's ticks. "Consider testing the diseases transmitted by ticks, but note that standard tests can take about a month to return a positive result after a tick bite," said Nikhil Joshi , DVM, a Veterinarian at Merck Animal Health . "The disease tests transmitted by ticks in dogs should be carried out each year."

Your veterinarian will also help you control all environmental risks.

Watch your dog for unusual symptoms.

You will also want to keep an eye on your dog's overall behavior. "Monitor the signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or pus," explains Gonzalez. "In addition, keep an eye on the symptoms of diseases transmitted by ticks such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite or lameness." If you notice one of these problems, call your veterinarian immediately.

Check the other ticks.

They could hide elsewhere. "Continue to regularly check your dog for all additional ticks, as some dogs can be infested with several ticks," said Joshi. "This is particularly important if your dog frequently spends time in areas subject to ticks."

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How to prevent my dog ​​from having ticks

Use a preventive medication.

These are useful all year round. "Ticks are active each time the temperature exceeds frost, and some ticks even live inside, so it is important to protect yourself from 12 months ticks," said Joshi.

He recommends Bravecto. "It offers up to 12 weeks of continuous protection against ticks and fleas in a single dose, almost three times longer than a dose of a monthly product," said Joshi. "This means that you only have to administer about four doses per year, or one dose per season, to provide full protection all year round."

Vaccine your dog against diseases transmitted by ticks.

People on the east coast or at the top of Midwest, where Lyme disease is common, should consider vaccinating against Lyme disease. "This is an annual vaccine that can fill the roof shortcomings if you miss a preventive dose," explains Joshi.

Your veterinarian can help you decide whether this or other vaccinations make sense to your dog.

Keep your puppy well maintained.

A well -maintained coat can make ticks more difficult to hang on to your pet fur and facilitate early detection. "Brushing or regular combing can help eliminate loose hair and potentially dislodge all ticks before settling," says Joshi. "Check your pet daily, especially after all outdoor activities."

Aim a secure external environment.

There are situations in your court that can attract ticks. For example, you will want to get rid of the fallen leaves, brushes, debris and other waste. You should also keep the grass and other green and tidy greenery. "Remember to create a barrier with gravel or wooden shavings between lawns and wooded areas to prevent migration of ticks," said Joshi.

Wildlife can also be a problem because they can provide ticks in your space. "Discover these animals by closing your property, eliminating bird feeders and sealing potential entry points, such as gaps in fences or buildings," explains Joshi.

If ticks become a problem, call an antiparasitic company to see if they can recommend other measures.

Avoid infested tick areas.

You may want to reconsider your walking locations during the tick season. "If possible, avoid known areas infested with ticks, such as highly wooded areas or high grass," explains Joshi. "If you have to enter these areas, check the ticks carefully."

Often wash the bedding and vacuum cleaner.

If ticks enter your home, it will help eliminate them quickly. "Keep your pet's bedding by washing it regularly," said Joshi. "Vasse your home frequently, paying particular attention to areas where your animal spends time."

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Conclusion

Finding a tick on your dog can be a frightening experience, but with good supplies and a little patience, you can solve the problem and take certain measures to minimize your dog's risk in the future. For more pet advice, visit Better life again soon.

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