How does a tick latch onto a dog? - briefly
A tick detects a dog’s body heat and carbon‑dioxide, climbs onto the animal, and inserts its barbed hypostome into the skin while secreting cement‑like saliva to secure itself. This anchoring allows the parasite to feed for several days before detaching.
How does a tick latch onto a dog? - in detail
Ticks locate a host by climbing onto vegetation and extending their forelegs in a behavior called questing. When a dog brushes against the blade, the tick perceives heat, carbon dioxide, and movement, prompting it to move toward the animal.
Attachment proceeds in several distinct phases:
- Contact and positioning – The tick climbs onto the dog’s skin, usually in thin‑fur areas such as the ears, neck, or between the toes. It uses its front legs to grasp the fur and locate a suitable spot.
- Insertion of the hypostome – The tick’s mouthparts, including the chelicerae and a barbed hypostome, are driven into the epidermis. The barbs anchor the parasite and prevent easy removal.
- Secretion of cement – Salivary glands release a proteinaceous cement that hardens around the mouthparts, forming a secure seal. This cement also contains anticoagulants and immunomodulatory compounds that facilitate blood flow.
- Establishment of the feeding pool – A channel is created between the tick’s salivary duct and the host’s blood vessels. The tick continuously injects anti‑coagulant substances to keep the blood fluid.
- Engorgement – Over several days, the tick expands as it ingests blood, increasing its body mass manyfold. The cemented attachment remains stable throughout this period.
The combination of mechanical barbs, biochemical cement, and host‑modulating saliva enables a tick to maintain a firm grip on a canine for the duration of its blood meal. Removal before the cement hardens reduces the risk of the mouthparts remaining embedded, while delayed removal can cause tissue damage and increase pathogen transmission.