Dogs are 50 to 100 times more prone to ticks than humans because of their closer proximity to the ground. It is important when grooming your dog to look for telltale signs of ticks. Ticks can spread disease by jumping from dog to owner and embedding themselves into humans to feed.
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Location
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There are ticks all across the country, however, some areas tend to have a bigger population than others. Ticks tend to thrive in warm, humid, wooded areas. However, this doesn't mean you should not be checking your dog for ticks in Arizona.
To keep the tick population low in your own backyard, keep your yard clean and neat. Ticks prefer moist areas with long grass. Clear any wood or stick pile and keep your grass cut short.
Identification
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Ticks are small brown or black arachnids. There are over 850 different species of ticks. The most common are the dog tick and the deer tick.
Ticks bury their heads into the skin of a mammal to suck blood until they are fully satisfied. This usually takes a day or two. The tick must be latched onto the skin for 24 to 48 hours for a disease or infection to spread.
Whenever your dog plays outside or is taken for a walk it is advisable that you comb him with your fingers and check for ticks, especially when the weather is warmer. Comb your fingers through his fur, stopping when you feel a bump. A tick embedded in the skin can range in size from a "pinhead to a grape."
Diseases Spread by Ticks
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Dogs, like humans, may contract diseases from ticks. If you notice any unusual behavior in your dog, it is a good idea to contact your veterinarian. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are two of the most common diseases spread by ticks. Symptoms of both these diseases are stiffness or limping and fever. However, in some cases, dogs may carry a disease without showing any symptoms, so it is best to prevent disease by checking for ticks every day.
Solution
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When you find a tick on your dog, you must remove it with caution and care. The best type of removal is with tweezers. Your local pet store should carry special tweezers to remove the tick. The mouth of a tick is barbed, so it is best to pull it out straight. Remove the tick, taking precautions not to leave the head of the tick in the skin, which could cause infection. Remove tick as slowly and gently as possible.
Prevention
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It is difficult to prevent your dogs from picking up ticks. If ticks are a problem with your dog or your area, talk to your veterinarian about special preventative medications that are right for your pet.
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