How Ticks Affect Dogs

Several species of ticks pose many dangers to dogs, which is why you must regularly give your dogs tick preventative medication. Ticks crawl up grasses or branches of heavy vegetation and wait for a host to come by. Ticks can transmit many diseases through their bites. An infected dog cannot transmit these illnesses to humans, but can to other dogs.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is not transferable to humans. The dog goes lame, has hot or swollen joints, is reluctant to move and has a fever. If not treated, the dog's kidneys will fail.

Canine Ehrlichiosis

Transmitted by the brown dog tick, this illness can kill your dog. Sudden weight loss, listlessness and fever are the first signs, followed by bleeding of the retinas and nose, the dog's joints swelling up, and finally, death.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Symptoms include fever, coughing, swollen joints, problems with coordination and sudden openings on the skin. The dog will eventually suffer a heart attack or shock, both of which can kill the dog.

Canine Anaplasmosis

This bacteria travels in tick saliva. Symptoms are the same as for Lyme disease, but there is also vomiting and seizures. It's commonly called "dog tick fever."

Blood Loss

If a dog is heavily infested with ticks, then he can go into shock just from the blood loss. This is especially a concern for puppies and toy dogs.

Resources

• Dog Tick Diseases
• Veterinarians Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms
• Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (4th Edition)