Ticks are tiny insects that attach themselves to the skin of an infected animal(dog, cat, sheep, deer, etc) and feed on their blood.
Can ticks kill my dog? Lets take a look at this.
How Ticks Get Infected
Ticks attach themselves to an infected animal and feeds on their blood. The parasite in the red blood cells of the infected animal then enters the tick. The tick then drops off and lays egg, passing the infection to the unborn ticks.
The newly born tick then finds another host and passes this infection.
Effects on Ticks on Dogs
Ticks cause a range of infections in dogs.
For dogs, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are the most serious illnesses.
Symptoms of a Tick Bite might not show up until after a week.
Symptoms to look out for
1. Shivering and Trembling; Depending on the severity of the infection.
2. Pet might refuse food and act lazy
3. Discoloration of urine; Urine might be darker, due to the red blood cells being destroyed.
4. Rise in temperature; temperature might ride to 104°F or 40°C.
5. Pale gums
6. Yellow skin and eyes.
If any of these symptoms are noticed in your pet, please contact your vet.
Caring for your Pet
Check for ticks often; You should check your pet often for ticks. important places to check are:
- Around the neck
- The ears
- The armpit
- The groin
- Between the toes
Check out this post to know how to Remove ticks from dogs
Coconut oil works well;
- Kills ticks
- Serves as an antibiotic on dog's skin
- Enhances your pet's coat
Frontline sprays are also used to kill ticks. get one at the nearest pet store.
Keep your pets safe from ticks.
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