What will happen if a dog has ticks? - briefly
Ticks attach to the skin, feed on blood and can transmit pathogens such as Lyme disease, causing fever, joint pain, or kidney failure. Severe infestations may lead to anemia, skin infections, and potentially fatal complications.
What will happen if a dog has ticks? - in detail
When a canine host acquires ticks, the parasites attach to the skin, insert their mouthparts, and begin blood feeding. The feeding process can last from a few hours to several days, depending on the tick species and life stage. As the tick expands, the attachment site may become irritated, showing redness, swelling, or a small crusted lesion.
During attachment, ticks can transmit a range of pathogens. Commonly transmitted agents include:
- Bacterial infections – Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (granulocytic anaplasmosis), Ehrlichia canis (canine ehrlichiosis).
- Protozoal infection – Babesia canis (babesiosis).
- Viral agents – Tick-borne encephalitis virus in certain regions.
- Rickettsial organisms – Rickettsia spp. causing spotted fever.
Clinical manifestations vary with the specific pathogen but often involve:
- Fever and lethargy.
- Lameness due to joint inflammation (particularly with Lyme disease).
- Anemia from blood loss or hemolysis.
- Thrombocytopenia, leading to bruising or bleeding.
- Neurological signs such as ataxia, seizures, or facial paralysis in severe cases.
- Gastrointestinal disturbances, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Secondary complications may arise from prolonged tick attachment itself. Localized skin infections can develop if the bite site is scratched or contaminated. Heavy infestations can cause significant blood loss, leading to hypovolemia and shock, especially in small or young dogs.
Effective management includes immediate removal of attached ticks with fine-tipped tweezers, ensuring the mouthparts are extracted entirely to prevent retained fragments. After removal, the bite area should be cleaned with antiseptic solution. Diagnostic testing—PCR, serology, or blood smear—identifies specific infections. Treatment protocols depend on the identified pathogen; common regimens involve doxycycline for bacterial diseases, imidocarb for babesiosis, and supportive care such as fluid therapy, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory medication.
Prevention strategies focus on regular use of acaricidal products (topical spot‑on, oral chewables, or collars) and routine environmental control. Monthly application of approved tick preventatives reduces the risk of attachment and subsequent disease transmission. Regular inspection of the dog’s coat, especially after outdoor activities, allows early detection and removal of ticks before pathogen transmission occurs.