In the past few weeks, I have found ticks on five different dogs in the grooming room. This entry outlines the dangers for your pet dog, what to look out for and what to do about ticks if you find them. Please be aware that ticks also pose a health risk to humans. 

How do Dogs Get Ticks?

Ticks crawl up tall grass or plants in wooded areas and lie in wait for a passing host. When your dog brushes past on a walk the tick uses its front legs to grab on, then crawls over the coat and through the fur to find a suitable place to attach and feed. 

The Problems Ticks Cause in Dogs

Ticks can cause paralysis or transmit other harmful and potentially fatal diseases to dogs. At the very least, a tick bite may cause irritation where it attaches to your dog. Symptoms may take a few days or weeks to appear.

The Symptoms

Tick symptoms may include irritation of the skin or anaemia. More serious symptoms may include one or more of the following:

·        A loss of coordination in the legs.

·        Vomiting after a tick bite.

·        Retching, coughing or loss of appetite.

·        Difficult or rapid breathing.

·        Lethargy after a tick bite.

Should you notice these symptoms, seek immediate veterinary attention.

How to Find Ticks on Dogs

Gently move your fingertips through the coat at the level of the skin, feeling for any bumps. Start at the head and neck (don’t forget the mouth and ears), continue down the front legs to the paws, checking in between and underneath the toes. Then search the chest, belly, back, tail, and back legs.

What to Do if a Tick is Found

It is important to remove ticks as soon as possible if you find one on your dog.

How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

The best way to remove a tick from a dog is with tweezers or specially designed tick removal tools.

• Using the removal tool, grab the tick at a point adjacent to your dog’s skin (at the tick mouthparts), twist the tick, then pluck the tick away from the skin. Take care not to squeeze the tick’s body. 
• It is possible for a dog to develop signs and symptoms of tick paralysis even after you remove a tick from a dog, so it is recommended to keep a close eye on your dog for a few days. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, you should seek veterinary attention.

How to Prevent Ticks on Dogs 

There are preventative tablets and medications available. You should seek the advice of your vet before buying. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.