What can a tick do to a dog? - briefly
Ticks may transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis, producing fever, joint inflammation, and organ dysfunction, while also causing local skin irritation, anemia from blood loss, and potential allergic reactions.
What can a tick do to a dog? - in detail
Ticks attach to a dog’s skin and feed on blood. During feeding they can introduce pathogens, cause tissue damage, and trigger systemic reactions.
Pathogen transmission
- Borrelia burgdorferi – leads to Lyme disease, manifested by fever, joint swelling, lameness, and kidney dysfunction.
- Ehrlichia canis – causes ehrlichiosis, producing fever, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and weight loss.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – results in anaplasmosis, characterized by fever, lethargy, and neutropenia.
- Rickettsia rickettsii – responsible for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, presenting with fever, petechiae, and vascular inflammation.
- Babesia spp. – induces babesiosis, causing hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly.
Tick paralysis
Neurotoxic salivary proteins can induce progressive muscle weakness, starting in the hind limbs and potentially advancing to respiratory failure if the tick remains attached for several days.
Local effects
- Mechanical irritation at the attachment site, resulting in erythema, swelling, and ulceration.
- Secondary bacterial infection of the wound, presenting with purulent discharge and increased pain.
- Allergic dermatitis in sensitized dogs, marked by intense pruritus and chronic dermatitis.
Systemic consequences
- Chronic blood loss from multiple engorged ticks leads to iron‑deficiency anemia, detectable by reduced hematocrit and pallor of mucous membranes.
- Immune suppression due to pathogen load, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
Clinical signs to monitor
- Fever, lethargy, loss of appetite.
- Lameness or joint swelling without obvious trauma.
- Unexplained bleeding, pale gums, or rapid breathing.
- Weakness progressing to inability to stand, especially after prolonged exposure to tick‑infested environments.
Diagnostic approach
- Physical examination for attached ticks and skin lesions.
- Blood tests: complete blood count, serum chemistry, and specific PCR or serology for tick‑borne diseases.
- Microscopic examination of tick specimens to identify species and infection status.
Treatment options
- Immediate removal of ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers, pulling straight out to avoid mouthparts retention.
- Antimicrobial therapy tailored to identified pathogens (e.g., doxycycline for Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis).
- Supportive care for anemia: blood transfusion or iron supplementation.
- Antitoxin or supportive respiratory care for tick‑induced paralysis, often resolving after tick removal.
Prevention strategies
- Regular application of veterinarian‑approved acaricides (topical, oral, or collar formulations).
- Routine inspection of coat after outdoor activities, focusing on ears, neck, and between toes.
- Landscape management to reduce tick habitats: mowing lawns, removing leaf litter, and limiting wildlife access.
Understanding the full spectrum of tick‑related risks enables timely intervention, minimizes disease progression, and protects canine health.