How to effectively protect our dog from ticks?

The tick is the most dangerous parasite that can cause a lot of damage to our four-legged friend. In order to protect our dog or cat from parasite bites and from subsequent dangerous tick-borne diseases, appropriate protection should be used. Choose the best method for your pet and protect it today, because in the fight against ticks, prevention is better than cure.

What you need to know about ticks

The tick is the most dangerous parasite that can cause a lot of damage to our four-legged friend. These small individuals from the arachnid family, whose sizes range from a few to several dozen millimeters, can be carriers of very dangerous diseases. 

Currently, approximately 900 species of ticks have been classified worldwide, of which up to 25 may occur in Poland.

The most popular of them, which are also the greatest threat to humans and pets, are three species of ticks:

- common/pasture/dog tick (Lxodes ricinus)

- meadow tick (Dermacentor reticulatus)

The first occurs throughout Poland, living mainly in forests, on ferns and forest plants, while the second prefers damp and marshy areas, mixed forests, meadows and bushy pastures. In Poland, the range of this species covers the north-eastern part. 

It is wrong to think that ticks can only attack us in late spring and summer. Due to the fact that for several years we have not had truly frosty winters, ticks can be found all year round. These parasites react mainly to temperature and humidity. For ticks to become active, it is enough for a positive temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius to persist for several days. The greatest activity of ticks occurs in two periods: March-April and September-October, but cases of infection also occur in January and February.

 

Why are ticks dangerous to mammals? Tick-borne diseases. 

Ticks can attack the entire surface of a dog's body, but they mainly attach themselves in places where the skin is more delicate, such as on the belly, ears, around the muzzle or in the spaces between the toes. In addition to protecting your pet from ticks, you should regularly check your dog for ticks and react quickly, because an embedded parasite can infect your dog. Infections are transmitted during the tick's feeding.

Ticks are carriers of many dangerous diseases, the most dangerous of which are babesiosis and Lyme disease. What's more, sometimes one tick can be a carrier of more than one pathogen, which can make it difficult to identify the disease. 

 

Symptoms that may occur in a dog after a tick bite

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, do not ignore it. In the event of a tick bite, the most important thing is to intervene quickly. If we manage to react quickly and remove the tick, there is a chance that the tick did not infect the dog, because most diseases require at least 24-hour contact between the tick and the animal to transmit.

However, if your dog experiences even one of the following symptoms, you should go to the vet as soon as possible.

- diarrhea

- apathy

- vomiting

- lack of appetite

- lack of thirst

- blood in urine

- skin changes, redness

How to protect our dog against ticks?

There are currently several different methods on the market to protect your dog from ticks. Prevention and regular checking of your dog's skin and fur are important.

- spot-on method

These are preparations that are applied to the dog's skin. They are dripped onto dry skin, usually on the neck, along the back in several places, so that the agent can then spread through the subcutaneous blood vessels of the entire animal. For the agent to work well, it must be well absorbed into the skin, which is why it is recommended not to bathe the dog for at least 3 days before and after administering the drops. To protect against ticks, the drops should be dripped every 4 weeks. 

 

-      tick collars

Collars can protect your dog for up to 8 months. They work better during rainy seasons. If you decide to use this method of protection, it is worth knowing how to handle the collar so that it brings the best results. In order for the collar to fulfill its function, it must adhere to the animal's neck. The tick-killing substance, which also acts as a deterrent, will be able to spread properly on the dog's skin when the collar adheres well to it. It is worth taking care of the collar and gently wiping it from time to time to unblock the clogged pores through which the active substance escapes. 

 

- anti-tick tablet

There are also special anti-tick tablets available for chewing or crushing. The tablets protect our quadruped for a period of 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the selected preparation. A small percentage of dogs may experience temporary side effects, such as diarrhea, vomiting or lack of appetite.

 

- natural methods of fighting ticks

Thyme, lavender, aloe and rosemary are herbs that act as tick repellents. Herbs can be dried and prepared into a decoction, which can then be sprayed on the dog's fur and skin.
 
In summary, we must remember how dangerous ticks can be to our health and the health of our four-legged friends. To protect our dog from parasite bites and subsequent dangerous tick-borne diseases, we must use appropriate protection.  
Choose the best method for your four-legged friend and protect him today, because in the fight against ticks, prevention is better than cure. Prevention is important, regular use of drops, tablets or other tick-killing agents. Remember to carefully examine your pet after each walk, this will allow for a quick reaction in the event of a tick that has already embedded itself in the skin of the quadruped.