How does a tick affect dogs: symptoms and treatment? - briefly
Ticks transmit pathogens and cause localized irritation, leading to fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, joint pain, and the presence of an engorged tick or skin lesion. Prompt removal of the parasite, followed by appropriate antiparasitic medication and, when indicated, antibiotics or anti‑inflammatory drugs, constitutes effective treatment.
How does a tick affect dogs: symptoms and treatment? - in detail
Ticks attach to canine skin, feed on blood, and can transmit a range of pathogens. The feeding process causes local irritation, while the pathogens induce systemic disease.
Typical clinical signs include:
- Redness, swelling, or a small crater at the attachment site
- Excessive scratching or biting of the affected area
- Fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite
- Lameness that appears intermittently, often referred to as “tick‑borne lameness”
- Pale mucous membranes indicating anemia
- Jaundice, vomiting, or diarrhea in severe cases
Laboratory testing may reveal elevated white‑blood‑cell counts, anemia, or presence of specific tick‑borne agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Ehrlichia spp., or Anaplasma spp.
Effective management consists of three stages: removal, medication, and prevention.
- Removal – Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine‑point tweezers, pull upward with steady pressure, avoid crushing the body. Disinfect the wound with chlorhexidine or povidone‑iodine.
- Medication – Administer an appropriate acaricide (e.g., a topical spot‑on product containing fipronil or selamectin) according to weight. If a pathogen is identified, prescribe the recommended antibiotic or antiprotozoal regimen (doxycycline for Lyme disease, imidocarb for babesiosis, etc.). Supportive care may include fluid therapy, anti‑inflammatory drugs, and blood transfusion for severe anemia.
- Prevention – Maintain a regular schedule of tick‑preventive products, keep the environment free of tall grass and leaf litter, conduct weekly inspections after outdoor activities, and consider oral preventives (e.g., afoxolaner) for broader coverage.
Prompt detection and treatment reduce the risk of chronic complications, such as arthritis, kidney damage, or neurologic disorders. Regular veterinary examinations ensure early identification of tick‑borne infections and confirm the efficacy of preventive measures.