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The Dangers Of Ticks
from: Kyle BesserTicks are indisputably a dreaded enemy. No one wants to find a tick on our pets or ourselves. Ticks are a threat because they can transmit diseases and even cause anemia or paralysis. As a dog owner, there are some basics you should know about ticks and the risks, prevention and removal of ticks. With some basic knowledge, you can help protect your dog from the threat of ticks.
Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of a host. Ticks are attracted by warmth and motion and often seek out mammals, including dogs. Ticks tend to hide out in tall grass or plants in wooded areas waiting for prospective hosts to pass by. Ticks climb onto a host, attach their mouthparts into the skin, and begin feeding on the blood of the host.
Once ticks are locked in place, they will not detach until their meals are complete. They may continue to feed for several hours or even days, depending on the type of tick. On dogs, ticks often attach themselves in crevices and/or areas with little or no hair, typically in and around the ears, the boys areas where the insides of the legs meet the body, between the toes, and within skin folds.
Most species of ticks go through four life stages: eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults. All the stages beyond eggs will attach to a host for a blood meal. They must do so to mature. Depending on the species, the life span of a tick can be several months to years. Female adult ticks can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs at a time. The Deer Tick, Brown Dog Tick, Lone Star Tick and the American Dog Tick are among the most common ticks found in North America.
Ticks are known carriers of disease, but not all ticks transmit disease. In fact, many ticks do not carry diseases. However, the threat of disease is always present where ticks are concerned, and these risks should always be taken seriously.
Most tick-borne diseases will take several hours to transmit to a host, so the sooner a tick is located and removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission. Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are some of the most common tick-borne diseases.
The symptoms of most tick-borne diseases include fever and lethargy, muscle or joint aches, stiff neck, headache, weakness, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and other flu-like symptoms. Some can also cause lameness, joint swelling and anemia. Symptoms may take days, weeks or months to appear. Watch for a red spot or rash starting at the location of the bite.
Some ticks can cause a temporary condition called "tick paralysis," which is manifested by a gradual onset of difficulty walking that may develop into paralysis, particularly with small children. Symptoms typically begin to resolve after tick is removed.
If you notice these or any other signs of illness in your dog, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so that proper testing and necessary treatments can begin as soon as possible.
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