Ticks are an unfortunate and unwanted part of dog ownership. To maintain your dog's health and still enjoy outdoor activities, learning to identify ticks and properly remove them is crucial. Here are a few important symptoms to recognize if a dog has ticks.
-
Identification
-
Ticks are tiny, multi-legged parasitic organisms, typically of gray or dark-brown coloration. Their size and color often make them difficult to spot on dogs.
Loss of Appetite/Energy
-
Sick dogs tend to eat less. If your dog's appetite has diminished, take it to the vet. Similarly, dogs that are less active than normal may have some kind of health concerns.
Skin Infections
-
Tick bites cause skin wounds that can become infected if left untreated. Skin infections may not necessarily mean a dog has ticks, however, so check the fur for any kind of insect or other organism.
Blood Loss
-
Since ticks are blood-suckers, blood loss is a major indicator that a dog's been bitten. Though a veterinarian is required to check blood count, sore and swollen limbs are symptoms of blood loss that owners can look for.
Fever
-
If a tick bite is severe, a dog's body temperature will rise significantly.
Prevention
-
Ticks are impossible to avoid altogether, but there are things owners can do to reduce their dogs' chances of getting them. Proper, regularly-groomed dogs are less likely to attract ticks. Monitor your dog on walks to minimize time spent in tick-inhabited areas.
-