Symptoms That a Dog Would Show to Indicate it Has Ticks

Ticks are parasites that live in tall grass, shrubby areas and woods. They carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, encephalitis, tularemia, tick paralysis and Lyme disease, according to dog breeder and trainer Norma Bennett Woolf in the Dog Owner's Guide. Ticks spread disease by feasting on mammal blood. Removing ticks as soon as possible helps prevent disease, and there are some symptoms to watch for after a dog has been in contact with one or more ticks, according to the Dog Ticks Guide.

  1. Fever

    • A severe tick bite may result in fever. The dog's body temperature rises quickly following the tick bite. Signs of fever in dogs include excessive panting, lack of thirst, lack of energy, change in behavior and avoidance of human contact, according to Vet Info.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Loss of appetite is a common symptom of disease or illness in dogs. Any time a dog loses its appetite, it should see a veterinarian for a checkup, but especially if you suspect it has had contact with a tick.

    Sore and Swollen Limbs

    • When a tick sucks blood from one particular area on a dog, that area tends to become sore and swollen. This could occur along one of the dog's limbs, or anywhere else on its body. A sore or swollen limb might cause the dog to limp or hold its paw oddly. The dog might also flinch or yelp when a human touches its limb.

    Skin Infections

    • After contact with a tick, the dog has a small wound on its skin. Occasionally, bacteria might enter the wound, causing a skin infection. Symptoms of skin infections include itching, crusty skin, lumps on the skin, dandruff, rashes, bad odor, dry skin, dull coat, loss of hair and excessive licking and scratching, according to the Dog Health Guide.

    Arthritis

    • Arthritis is common in older dogs, but in a younger dog it might be a symptom of tick bites or disease. Ticks often gather around a dog's joints to hide and feed, and too much feeding might cause the dog's muscles to weaken. A dog experiencing arthritis-like symptoms because of a tick bite will wince or cry in pain if you hold it up.

    Abnormal Blood Count

    • When ticks feast on a dog's blood, they cause abnormal changes in the dog's blood count. These changes include anemia, a low blood count and abnormal platelets in the blood. A veterinarian can run tests to check the dog's blood count.