Tick in a dog: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Late spring and summer is the favorite time of many dog ​​lovers who lead an active lifestyle. On weekends, you can take a swim with the four-legged friend in the lake, cook kebabs in the country or take a walk through the forest. But all these charms of life are overshadowed by the blood-sucking arthropods, which often suffer dangerous diseases. We tell you what to do if a dog is bitten by a tick.

Why are ticks dangerous?

The insect does not threaten the life of animals and people by absorbing blood. The infection that he is able to enter the body is terrible. People can become infected with Lyme borreliosis and encephalitis, and tailed friends with pyroplasmosis.

Pyroplasmosis (babesiosis) is a seasonal dog disease that occurs not only in the summer, but also in the spring (usually from March-April), and also in the fall, until frosts come. The causative agents of babesiosis are parasites of the genus Babesia, and ticks carry them. The disease is very difficult to treat and often leads to serious complications. First of all, it negatively affects the liver of the animal.

The main symptoms of piroplasmosis

The temperature of the dog is 39-42 ° C.

Difficult and frequent breathing, high pulse.

Lethargy, general weakness, paws "do not obey."

Anemia of the mucous membranes.

Loss of appetite.

The presence of blood in the urine.

Gastrointestinal tract disorders (diarrhea, vomiting).

Pulmonary edema.

Note! Often they can be confused with signs of other diseases. But in the season of tick activity, it will not be out of place to immediately contact a veterinarian if at least one of these signs is detected. Even if you didn’t find the “culprit” on the animal’s body.

What to do if a dog is bitten by a tick?

If a tick is found, immediately remove it entirely by carefully unscrewing it counterclockwise and carefully observe the animal. If the dog's body temperature rises within a week (above 39 ° C), the animal becomes lethargic or loses its appetite, then take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is very important to quickly introduce the drug “Piro-Stop” to your pet and put a dropper. Then there is a chance of recovery.

By self-medication and folk methods, you will not help the pet, so do not hesitate! And be prepared for financial costs: treatment is not cheap.

To avoid all these troubles, from spring to autumn, you need to pay close attention to prevention. Thanks to means of protection against ticks, you will save your nerves, money and the health of your pet.

Prevention of pyroplasmosis

Regularly after walking (especially in forests, parks and fields) carefully inspect the pet. Pay close attention to the head, neck, stomach, armpits. It is recommended to comb long-haired pets with brushes daily, since in a thick coat it is difficult to notice a small insect.

Recently, there are more and more infectious parasites, which means that you can not do without special remedies for ticks. Please note: no preparation guarantees 100% protection, as these tenacious arthropods instantly adapt to chemicals. And if used improperly (for example, a loose collar) it will not work.

Preparations for ticks for dogs

Currently, in veterinary pharmacies you can find a lot of tools to combat ticks:

collars - Kiltix, Foresto;

sprays - Bolfo;

drops at the withers - Bars, Advantix, Frontline;

oral tablets - Bravecto, Frontline NexGard.

Carefully read the instructions that accompany them. First of all, look at the duration of action of the insecticaricidal agent, which is part of the active substance and contraindications.

All drugs do not scare away ticks, but penetrate the epidermis (external preparations) or into the blood (tablets). When a parasite bites through the skin, the chemical causes paralysis and death.

It’s hard to say which drug against ticks is better. The owner knows best what will bring more benefit to his pet. But experts advise conducting complex processing. For example, once every 3 months, feed a special tablet to the animal, and before going to dangerous places (forest and fields with tall grass) spray the body of the dog (at least the lower body) with an acaricidal spray.

In any case, after treatment, observe the behavior of the pet. Drugs can cause an allergic reaction or intoxication in a dog. Be especially careful with small decorative dogs. For them, even a slight overdose of "chemistry" can be dangerous. In this case, contact your veterinarian immediately.

If you like to take your pet to the country house so that he can soak up the sun in the grass near the house, then it will not be out of place 3-4 days before the dog’s arrival to treat the entire summer cottage area with special chemicals. In most modern tick medicines, cypermethrin (cypermethrin) is the active ingredient.

And let no ticks spoil your mood and grandiose plans for joint walks in the warm season with your beloved four-legged friend!