How to treat a dog against ticks - the best remedy for bites and wounds

With the arrival of spring, when dogs happily walk in the tall grass, their owners are faced with the urgent question of how to protect their dogs from ticks. These parasites are carriers of dangerous diseases, and it is not always possible to notice them on an animal’s skin in time. To avoid treating your pet for a long time, it is better to immediately take protective measures against tick bites.

Ticks are dangerous parasites for dogs and carriers of serious diseases.

How to treat a dog for ticks

In the last 2-3 years, experts have noted an increase in the population and an increase in the activity of various types of ticks. This is due to an increase in average annual temperature and, as a consequence, warmer winters. As a result, ticks do not fall into a state of suspended animation, or “sleep” during the shortest coldest period. Thus, the duration of their activity period increases every year. This means that pet owners need to remember this threat and promptly provide protection from very dangerous insects. Know how to treat a tick bite on a dog.

The most dangerous period is still spring. The time for ticks to awaken and actively reproduce and patiently search for food.

How to remove a tick from a dog

Removing a tick from a dog at home is difficult, but possible. To do this you will need a special twister. The plastic instrument does not compress the body of the parasite and thereby prevents its saliva from entering the animal’s blood. With its help, you can remove the entire tick, including the head. You need to do it like this:

Select the twister according to the size of the tick. Usually these tools are sold in sets - larger and smaller.
Spread the fur as far apart as possible.
Secure the tick in the twister slot so that it supports the parasite.
Lift the tool slightly and turn it 2-3 turns, as if you want to unscrew the parasite from the dog’s body.
When the tick falls off, disinfect the wound.

Wear gloves and wash your hands before and immediately after the procedure - ticks are also dangerous for humans.

Consequences of a tick attack on a dog

In addition to the fact that the tick bite itself is quite unpleasant, it can lead to a number of consequences:

The immediate moment of the bite remains invisible to the “owner”, thanks to the tick injecting an anticoagulant and anesthetic substance contained in the tick’s saliva into the wound. After detaching the tick, a wound remains that can become inflamed and itchy.
There are many types of ticks in nature. Some species parasitize dogs, causing diseases such as otodectosis (ear mites) and sarcoptic mange (scabies). These ticks, when attacking, multiply on the dog. Thus causing extensive lesions with the formation of constantly itchy, bald, inflamed areas on the skin.
Another tick that is dangerous from a veterinary and medical point of view is ixodid. Their individuals are quite large and visible to the naked eye and parasitize on the surface of the skin. The main danger of this species is that they are carriers of infectious diseases such as tick-borne encephalitis, piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and others.

IMPORTANT! Ticks carry diseases that also affect humans. Including viral encephalitis. But this disease is not relevant for dogs.

From the above, we can conclude how important it is to timely and effectively treat dogs against ticks. Currently, developers of veterinary drugs offer products that can provide protection against most of the threats and consequences that ticks pose to dogs.

An example of a complex treatment against external parasites is the drug Simparika in the form of chewable tablets. Taking Simparika will provide your dog with protection from fleas, ixodid ticks, otodectic mange, sarcoptic mange and demodectic mange, and will also significantly reduce the risk of contracting vector-borne diseases.

Ixodid ticks

This is a whole family of arthropod parasites, numbering 650 species. On the territory of Russia, the highest danger is represented by dog ticks (they infect not only animals, but also humans) and taiga ticks.

Above we have listed places where a dog can be infected with these blood-sucking parasites. They climb onto branches of bushes or trees located low to the ground, on blades of grass and wait for their prey. If a dog passes in this place, the tick will jump or simply fall on it.

These arthropods are quite small. In a hungry state, their body length does not exceed 5-7 mm, and the colors can be of various shades. If you find a tick on your dog's fur, what should you do? You need to carefully remove it and kill it. If he has not yet had time to attach himself, then he does not pose any danger.

Once on the animal’s fur, the parasite strives to quickly reach its body and dig into the flesh. The tick's mouthparts are ideally suited to this. It is equipped with a dense chitinous proboscis with hooks, at the base of which there are salivary glands. The tick injects the victim with saliva containing blood anticoagulants (they prevent blood clotting) and painkillers. Therefore, the animal does not feel the bite. A tick that has drunk blood increases in size several times. Its body takes on a brownish or grayish tint.

When to treat your dog for ticks in the spring

If active ticks or the symptoms they carry with them are found on your pet in early spring, it means the treatment is late. To prevent this from happening, the main guideline should be the ambient temperature. Ticks begin actively searching for food when a stable temperature of +10°C or higher is established. However, the potential danger of attack arises already at +1°C, when the insects wake up. It is recommended to take care of protecting the animal from this moment on.

The danger of tick-borne infections for humans and dogs

Ticks are not harmless parasites. They are capable of transmitting a lot of infections. Tick-borne encephalitis is more dangerous than the others. Against the background of the virus, the dog develops fever, headache, muscle pain, disturbances of consciousness and even paralysis.

Also dangerous is borreliosis, a disease accompanied by severe intoxication and heart problems, as well as an acute allergic reaction at the site of the bite.

Another dangerous complication for humans and dogs is piroplasmosis. The disease provokes the destruction of red blood cells with a pronounced clinical picture:

thirst;
lack of appetite;
stomach upset;
rise in temperature;
dyspnea;
yellowing of mucous membranes.

Ticks can carry tularemia, Q fever, typhus and relapsing fever, and you can die from each of these diseases. Therefore, you should not underestimate the danger of a tick bite, and it is always better to be on the safe side by getting tested.

All the diseases described and their consequences are relevant for both dogs and humans. Therefore, the owner of the animal must be careful when communicating with his pet. If you are inspecting fur and skin for the presence of parasites, it is better to do it with gloves. You need to lay down an oilcloth in advance so that the parasites fall on it, they can be seen and can be caught.

But don't be afraid right away. Ticks have now become very active - they appear after the first frost and go away only when snow falls in winter, but this is not a reason not to walk the dog or do it in a protective suit. Ordinary care and care of the animal will avoid serious consequences.

Means and methods of protection

There are several methods for preventing tick attacks practiced by owners. The simplest measures include:

Wearing special clothing is a mechanical way to prevent ticks from attacking your dog. If the dog is accustomed to wearing clothes, then a jumpsuit with ties around the paws can protect it from the penetration of only some individuals of Ixodid ticks. After all, ticks can stick to the area of the pads, and between the toes, on the head, on the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals. And small individuals can easily penetrate under clothing. Therefore, this method can only be used as an additional method in combination with drugs. It is better to choose light-colored clothing - ticks are better visible. There are models equipped with special traps from which ticks cannot escape.
Inspection and combing. Once on the coat, parasites can wander throughout the dog’s body until they reach their favorite places (eyelids, neck, ears, withers). You need to examine your pet immediately after each walk.

The use of strong-smelling essential oils of clove, mint, wormwood, geranium, vanillin solution. Their smells should repel blood-sucking insects. But in practice this does not work well, since solutions sprayed onto wool will only act until the esters have evaporated, and this often happens before you get to the place of your walk.

Such simple folk measures do not provide any guarantees and are most likely ineffective.

A more reliable way to protect your pet is to use special medications that protect against external parasites. Let's consider: what is the best way to treat a dog against ticks. It must be remembered that these products should not only be destructive to parasites, but also not harmful to the dog’s body. Therefore, it is important to choose a means of protection responsibly and adhere to the following recommendations:

Carefully study the instructions for the selected drug;
Take into account the physiological state, age, clinical condition, individual characteristics of the dog;
If it is difficult to understand all the nuances, seek advice from a veterinarian.

Remedies for external parasites can be divided into two large groups:

internal or systemic drugs
external or contact-acting drugs

Ear mites

These parasites can only be seen with a microscope, since their sizes are extremely small (up to 0.5 mm). They parasitize in the ears of animals, but in some cases they can migrate to the head. The disease is caused by otodectosis.

Dogs become infected with this mite from other animals, as well as through grooming items (combs, beds). Even the owner can bring the parasite into the house on shoes or clothes.

How to detect ear mites on a dog? Signs appear only 2 weeks after infection. The arthropod gnaws passages in the ears, in which it lays eggs. The parasite also pierces the victim's skin to extract lymph and blood. All this causes the dog to itch. She begins to scratch her ears and scratch them with her claws. Some animals press their heads to the floor and sit in this position.

Another important sign is dark crusts in the ears. They are a mixture of sulfur and parasite excrement.

If the animal is not treated, it may die. The fact is that the parasite eventually gnaws through the eardrum. As a result, pus enters the inner ear and then onto the lining of the brain. A less sad outcome is the animal’s deafness.

How to get rid of ear mites in dogs? Treatment is carried out by external means. These are drops, ointments, sprays. The animal's ears must be treated with the preparations according to the attached instructions.

Veterinarians often prescribe Bars for ear mites in dogs. In reviews, owners write that the product acts quite quickly. After the first use, the pet stops intensively scratching its ears. However, the treatment must be carried out for a long time (at least a month).

Among the shortcomings of the product, the owners point out its too unpleasant smell and not entirely harmless composition. Bars ear drops contain diazinon, which is a toxic substance. In addition, in some reviews, pet owners note that the product caused allergic reactions in their pets, which then had to be treated.

Other drugs used in the treatment of otodectosis:

"Surolan";
"Oricin";
"Otoferonol Gold".

If the disease is advanced, the dog is given injections. Preparations:

"Ivomek";
"Aversect-2";
"Cydectin".

Pills

The most modern among systemic drugs and developed relatively recently are tablets of the isoxazoline group. They have become the parasite prevention choice for many veterinarians and dog owners. And they allow you to protect your pet from fleas and ticks, including ixodid ticks.

Let's consider their mechanism of action using Simparika chewable tablets as an example. Simparika tablets are an innovative development of one of the leading international manufacturers of veterinary drugs. Advanced technologies have made it possible to create a drug with a wide spectrum of action against external parasites and at the same time with good tolerance for the body of dogs.

The component sarolaner has a destructive effect on parasites. During the first three hours after taking the drug, its active substance is distributed throughout the dog’s body, protecting both the skin and mucous membranes of the animal from parasites. Contact of sarolaner with parasites causes progressive paralysis of their nervous system and, as a result, death.

The use of Simparica chewable tablets has the following benefits for protection against parasites:

Unlike external contact agents, it is not washed off when bathing, including using shampoos.
It is not present on the surface of skin and fur, therefore contact of humans and other pets with the active substance is excluded. There is no risk of poisoning when licking fur. This is true, for example, for cats living next to a treated dog, or for puppies living next to a nursing mother.
Belongs to 4, the lowest hazard class
Approved for use for nursing and pregnant dogs, as well as for puppies from 2 months of age.
Unlike external drugs, it also protects mucous membranes.
Flavoring additives make Simparika tablets very attractive to dogs, and the treatment process for parasites does not cause difficulties.
The action of the drug is complex; Simparika is active against most external parasites.

Infusions

Dogs are also protected from parasites with infusions. These DIY tick repellents have been found to be no less effective than oils.

You can protect your dog from bloodsuckers with the following infusions:

Wormwood is the main enemy of all parasites; just 20 g of fresh grass per liter of water can repel ticks and fleas from your four-legged pet. The ingredients are combined, brought to a boil, and cooled. Strain and apply with a spray bottle before each exit to the street.
You can prepare another infusion at home; it contains vanillin and vodka. For every 2 g of dry matter, take 100 g of alcohol, mix well and keep for 10 days in a cool, dark place. Next, the mixture is poured into a container with a sprayer, treatment is carried out every day before going outside.
You can also fight parasites with garlic water; to prepare it you will need half a liter of liquid and three cloves of garlic. Peeled and chopped garlic is placed in water and left for 8 hours, then applied to the back and withers of the animal before each walk. It is not recommended to treat other parts of the body; the dog will be able to lick itself.

Folk remedies for dogs against ticks
You can also treat your dog against ticks using combined means; essential oils are often added to infusions. Before conducting such experiments, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian; he will be able to give effective advice on combining substances.

Drops on the withers

They have a liquid base and come in the form of pipettes. The drugs are applied in drops to the dog’s skin in the withers area. The effectiveness of the drug will greatly depend on compliance with the rules of use. Contact action drops are fat-soluble and for best effect they need a lipid layer that is located on the surface of the animal’s skin. Thus, before applying the drops, the dog should not be bathed for at least 2 days before and for 2-3 days after treatment - since the drops must be absorbed and distributed in the lipid layer. Such preparations should be applied strictly to the skin, spreading the fur in places inaccessible for licking (withers).

Due to long-term distribution over the surface of the lipid layer, the effect of the drops reaches its maximum 2-3 days after application. Therefore, you should not expect a quick acaricidal effect immediately after applying the drug - you must wait 24-48 hours for activation. After applying the drops, you need to limit your pet’s contact with children and other animals until the drug is completely absorbed. Information about this is usually specified in the instructions.

Bite symptoms

As mentioned above, the tick bite itself negatively affects the dog’s body through a specific toxin, but this is not so scary. But the fact that when bitten by a tick can transmit specific pathogens of very serious diseases into the blood, this is really dangerous and, in extreme cases, can lead to the death of the pet.

A dog becomes infected through the saliva of a tick if it itself is a carrier of the pathogen. It is imperative to differentiate these two conditions; if the dog is bitten by a tick, the symptoms and treatment are directly related to each other. In both cases, the dog becomes sleepy, refuses to eat, looks at one point, drinks a lot of water and looks depressed.

This condition is especially typical for puppies, young dogs, and “apartment” pets of all breeds, for which the anesthetic (dulling sensitivity) tick toxin is very toxic. Dogs that live near the forest, work in the forest and fields, tolerate it more easily. Their body develops strong immunity. It strengthens with each tick bite. Sometimes the owner will remove even a few ticks, but the dog doesn’t even show it, scratching the bite site with his paw (after removing the tick, itching begins).

During the peak tick season, dogs treated with even the most expensive medications also suffer. Nobody simply takes this fact into account. how many ticks were actually affected by the preventative drug, and only 1–2 of the strongest individuals were bitten.

Important! Not all ticks are infected with Babesia, piroplasma, or carry any other disease!

Very often, a diagnosis of piroplasmosis/babesiosis is made based on the suppression of a weak dog by a tick toxin! It's cost-effective. The owner panics - the animal is lethargic, does not eat, the temperature is elevated, he removed the tick/ticks and grabs the offered help.

Important! It is worth starting to treat piroplasmosis only after an accurate diagnosis, which includes a stained blood smear and a general blood test.

All drugs against Babesia/Piroplasma are very toxic! This should be especially discussed if a puppy was bitten by a tick, a pregnant dog weakened by illness or surgery, or an elderly animal. And you should pay attention to specific signs (symptoms):

a sharp increase in body temperature,
severe lethargy (the dog becomes like plasticine),
blanching of mucous membranes,
dulling of fur,
eyes dull and sunken,
the dog is losing weight before our eyes,
When walking, the hind legs may give way,
in especially severe cases - yellowing of the mucous membranes (liver damage) and darkening of the urine from a high concentration of hemoglobin and red blood cells destroyed in it.

Sprays

The spectrum of activity against parasites, the speed of action and the principle of operation depend on the active substance included in the composition. But all sprays are external preparations. The disadvantages include the complexity of the dosage, and, as a rule, a short period of action. As well as a decrease in efficiency upon contact with water

It is better to apply sprays outdoors - this will save both the owner and the pet from inhaling an extra portion of active substances.

Removing a tick from a dog

If it so happens that the tick has already attached itself, but there is no way to contact a veterinarian, then you can remove the tick yourself. For this you will need tweezers. There is a special tool specifically for removing ticks, which you can buy at the pharmacy. If you have a dog in your house and you often spend time outdoors with it, then it is better to purchase it in advance. You can also use thread, but you need to work with it extremely carefully, as it is easy to tear the body off the head, which is very bad. The tick must be completely removed, since the poisonous saliva is in the head.

What should you never do? Many people have heard that you need to pour oil, alcohol, kerosene and other liquids over the bite area. This is strictly prohibited! Thus, the parasite is deprived of air and after 10-15 minutes falls off on its own. But this only works in the case of uninfected individuals. If a tick is infected, out of fear it begins to secrete even more saliva, which increases the risk of infection. Therefore, you cannot treat the bite site with anything before removal.

When starting removal, be sure to wear rubber gloves. Using tweezers or another tool, try to reach as deep as possible and hook the tick by the head. There is no need to specifically pick at the wound for this, as this will cause a lot of pain to the dog. Carefully turn the tool clockwise along with the plier and slowly unscrew it. If during the process the body still comes off and the head remains inside, you need to urgently consult a doctor. You can't get it out yourself.

If you only have thread on hand, then you need to make a loop and hook it as close to the head as possible. Gradually swing the threads in different directions and carefully tighten them. This method should be considered as a last resort. Because it is very difficult to perform the procedure without a certain skill. Often the thread is pulled and the body is simply cut off from the head.

After the tick is eliminated, the bite site should be treated with peroxide or chlorhesidine. You can also use brilliant green with iodine, but they cause a painful reaction. Moreover, the dog can lick them off. After this, carefully monitor your pet, or better yet, visit a veterinarian.

What is the best way to treat your dog for ticks?

A veterinarian familiar with the individual characteristics of your dog will advise you on the best remedy that is right for you. However, the above information about the mechanism of action, the pros and cons of the proposed drugs will allow you to make the choice of a suitable remedy yourself.

When choosing one drug or another, it is important to remember that any drug has limitations and features of use, so before using it, it is important to carefully read the instructions. And even the most effective remedy cannot provide a 100% guarantee and does not negate careful attention to the pet and its condition. Examine your dog after a walk, pay attention to changes in behavior and the appearance of nonspecific symptoms. This will allow you to make a timely decision to contact a veterinary clinic.

What first aid can be given to a dog at home?

Your dog was bitten by a tick, what treatment should you take at home? The first step is to remove the tick from the dog’s body, and the sooner, the lower the likelihood of infection, effort and damage to it.

Important! Do not smear the tick with oil - the tick will begin to suffocate, and in the process the tick (only one that has bitten a dog, of natural size, not loose, easy to pull out without panic) will spill out all its contents, which only promotes infection!

Before this procedure, be sure to treat the bite site and the insect itself with an iodine solution. This way you will muffle the tick, cauterize the wound (bite site), and partially neutralize the tick’s anesthetic toxin (makes the bite site insensitive and severely depresses animals especially not accustomed to it!).

Important! Very often, based on the action of such a toxin, an erroneous diagnosis is made - piroplasma/babesiosis!

You should give your dog loratadine or a similar antihistamine to reduce the allergic reaction. Monitor the temperature, and if after a few hours the dog feels better, then a positive prognosis is quite possible.

If the dog drinks a lot, it can be injected subcutaneously with glucose, sodium chloride, Ringer's solution, etc. On average, 60–70 cc per average dog in the withers area. This will replenish the body's reserves.

IMPORTANT! But if on the second day the situation worsens and the temperature is around 40–41 degrees, you should resort to special drugs - azidine, etc. (if there is no clinic or veterinarian).

This drug should be in the first aid kit of every person who has a dog. This is a bottle of yellow powder. It is diluted: 2.5 cubes of distilled water per bottle.

One cube of the finished solution is injected per 20 kg of the dog’s live weight! We inject under the skin. If necessary, can be repeated after 24–30 hours. But the injection of the drug is given only as a last resort; it is very toxic for young animals, older dogs, post-operative individuals, etc. This is an important condition! Healthy dogs tolerate it very well, regardless of breed. More expensive analogues are considered less severe for the body. Thus, you can be treated for such a disease at home. Remember: without laboratory tests, relapses are possible!

How to treat a dog after a tick bite

What to do if you did not treat your dog for parasites in time and found a tick attached to it?

Remove the parasite: put on gloves, then hold the body with tweezers at the very surface of the skin or use a special twister to twist the tick out of the wound with a rotational motion.
Treat the bite site. How to treat a dog's wound after a tick? – any antiseptic (70% alcohol, brilliant green, alcohol solution of iodine) that is in your first aid kit.
Contact a veterinary clinic. If you were able to remove the tick, submit it for analysis. The doctor will check the dog's blood for infection with piroplasmosis and babesiosis. These are express tests with quick results. If a positive result is obtained, the pet will be prescribed therapy.
Monitor the dog even after receiving a negative result for 2-3 weeks. Fever, lethargy, and refusal to feed should alert you.

What to do if your dog is bitten by a tick

Some diseases do not develop immediately, but are chronic in nature.
For example, piroplasmosis, anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. Their symptoms may appear after some time, when it is too late to treat the dog. Therefore, you need to remove ticks from your skin immediately after a walk. What to do if your dog is bitten by a tick:

Using special tweezers, remove the tick from the skin, being careful not to damage it. Ideally, the parasite should be removed by a veterinarian. But if you can’t urgently take your dog to the clinic, you’ll have to master this art yourself. Below we will give detailed instructions on how to do this correctly.
Submit the tick to a laboratory for analysis to ensure that it is not a carrier of dangerous infections. The parasite must be placed in a clean and sealed plastic bag. It is better to find out the addresses of the clinics in advance: not every veterinary laboratory does such an analysis.
Monitor your dog’s well-being closely for 2–3 weeks.

Find a veterinarian

Most often, ticks “settle” in secluded places: on the face, in the armpits, on the stomach and in the genital area. A newly attached tick looks like a small black spider. When the parasite drinks blood, it looks like a large black-brown pea. Take a good look at the potential mite - it could be a mole or papilloma.

Dogs at risk include:

with short hair - Chihuahuas, Rottweilers
with a thin undercoat - Yorkshire terriers
hunting dogs that spend a lot of time in the forest

It is also not easy to spot ticks in thick fur, so owners of huskies, Samoyeds, Spitz dogs and other owners of luxurious fur coats must use anti-tick medications. But the presence of such treatment in no way frees you from daily inspection.

What you should never do:

Lubricate the tick with oil
in the hope that it will suffocate. In fact, the parasite will only dig deeper into the skin and inject saliva containing harmful microorganisms into the animal’s body.
Douse the tick with alcohol
, kerosene or vodka. Yes, these remedies will help kill the parasite - it will literally “tear it apart.” But at the same time, harmful substances from his digestive system will get onto the dog’s skin.
Squeeze the parasite
with your hands, pull it out with your nails, or use tweezers. If you damage the body or leave the head of the tick in the wound, your dog may become infected.

How to properly treat your dog for ticks

It is important not only to choose the right means of protection, but also to apply it correctly. Let's list the main points:

Strictly follow the dosage indicated in the instructions. It depends on the weight of the animal and must be necessary and sufficient. Simparic tablets are convenient to dose: they are available in six different dosages for dogs weighing from 1.3 kg to 60 kg.
Apply the next portion of protection on time. Please take into account the expiration date of the product. For example, for drops on the withers this is an average of 2-3 days. And Simparic tablets are maximally active after 12 hours.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations specified in the instructions. Studying the instructions is boring, but very important. And it will help to avoid unwanted consequences from taking this or that drug.

Possible consequences of a bite

As described earlier, the consequence of an ectoparasite bite can be simple lethargy, refusal to feed, allergies, in rare cases anaphylactic shock (there are cases when a dog can be bitten by up to hundreds of ticks!), but the greatest danger is pathogens that infect the animal’s blood.

The tick in this case is a transmissible host. These insects themselves cannot cause such a disease. The pathogens, entering the bloodstream through a bite, cause irreparable damage to the dog’s health; the diseases are so serious that in the absence of special help, death will occur! In rare cases, with very high immunity, recovery will occur, but the body will not be restored to its previous form. Let's look at these diseases in more detail.

Piroplasmosis

Piroplasmosis/babesiosis is a serious disease of dogs caused by the protozoan blood parasite B. canis B. gibsoni. The seasonality of disease outbreaks is observed. A dog becomes infected through a tick bite, but the tick is the definitive host (carrier), and sexual reproduction of protozoa occurs in its body. These include insects of the genera Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Hymaiyoma, Ixodidae.

This is a dangerous disease that occurs in acute and chronic forms. The temperature rises to 41–42 degrees for 2–3 days, the animal becomes exhausted, drinks a lot, hemoglobin appears in the urine and it darkens, the parasite destroys the blood, which is why the animal’s body as a whole dies. As the disease progresses, the hind legs begin to fail. Azidine, Berynyl, etc. are used for treatment. Symptomatic treatment is prescribed.

Hepatozoonosis

Hepatozoonosis is a long-term chronic disease caused by the pathogen H. canis (a relative of Babesia), transmitted by ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus (medium-sized brown tick). The disease in rare cases leads to the death of the pet. An animal becomes infected when an insect enters the gastrointestinal tract. A dog can gnaw a tick from the skin, swallow it in nature with water, etc.

Recent studies on this disease have shown that 33% of healthy dogs examined have developed immunity against it, therefore, frequent contact with the pathogen. The disease develops when the immune response in dogs decreases. The disease can progress with the formation of cysts, pyogranulomas, and various skin lesions. The temperature rises to 41 degrees, later normalizes and rises again. The treatment is aimed at boosting immunity and strengthening the body; there are no special medications at the moment!

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is a transmissible disease transmitted by ticks. When bitten, the pathogen Ehrlichia spp (this is a protozoan) enters the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body. It is common for a dog to become infected with both piroplasmosis and ehrlichiosis with one bite. The incubation period for ehrlichiosis will range from 2 months to several years. A person can also be harmed when bitten by an infected tick. The disease can occur in acute, latent and chronic form. It has been established that German Shepherds and Doberman Pins are more susceptible to the disease. Treatment is based on the use of antibiotics such as doxycyline and symptomatic therapy. Relapses often occur.

Encephalitis

Viral encephalitis is a dangerous disease for both people and dogs. The causative agent is the RNA virus Flavivirus. Infection occurs through a tick bite; the virus enters the bloodstream, where it is captured by macrophages. They form the protein capsid of the virus. Formed adults penetrate through the lymph flow into various organs and the entire body as a whole. The central nervous system is affected with characteristic signs - paresis, paralysis, writhing, aggression, depression, muscle tremors, etc. Vision often suffers, the eyes may begin to “squint”. Important! Very often, “tick-borne encephalitis” is popularly called piroplasmosis/babesiosis! These are completely different diseases, although animals are infected through the same ticks! It is important to differentiate between both diseases as they have different treatments!

Borreliosis

Borelliosis, or Lyme disease, also Lyme disease, is a vector-borne infection caused by spirochetes of 9 bacteria. The carriers are ticks of the family Ixodidae, bloodsuckers (small midges). There are at least 5 pathogenic spirochetes, and they are all equally dangerous. Over time, the disease lasts from 3 to 6 months. The clinical picture is very diverse. Strong fever and depression of the animal always appear. A characteristic feature is the appearance of a skin rash - erythema migrans. The central nervous system, joints, blood vessels and eyes are very often affected. The disease is treated symptomatically - droppers with a supporting and cleansing effect on the body. The main clinical manifestations are controlled by antibiotic therapy.

Folk protection against ticks for people (adults)

A tick medicine may consist of one or more scents. The composition of the drug suitable for adults includes alcohol or vinegar. They act as an emulsifier (mix immiscible components).

Alcohol based spray

2 teaspoons of essential oil (any of the above);
2 teaspoons of medical alcohol;
250 ml water.

Preparation: Mix all ingredients in a tightly closed container.

Application: spray on exposed parts of the body and outer clothing. Shelf life in unopened containers is 6 months.

Vinegar spray

Components of the spray:

10-15 drops of mint or eucalyptus oil;
4 teaspoons of table vinegar;
2 teaspoons of water.

Preparation, use, storage: shake in a closed container. Spray onto uncovered areas of skin and clothing. Store in a closed bottle for up to 6 months.

Cologne with valerian

9-16 drops of valerian;
1 tbsp. spoon of cologne.

Method of production and use:

Mix thoroughly in a sealed container.
Wipe uncovered areas of skin with a cotton pad soaked in the prepared solution.
Can be stored for 6 months.

Soap based on Golden Star balm

To prepare you will need:

50 ml. apple cider vinegar;
10 ml. liquid soap;
200 ml. water;
“Star” ointment on the tip of a knife or two drops of balm.

Production and use:

Mix all ingredients in a closed bottle until a homogeneous suspension is formed.
Apply to uncovered areas of skin while walking.

Fragrant oil gel

Ingredients for cooking:

150 ml. aloe vera gel or cream;
20 drops of lavender oil;
20 drops of Geranium oil;
300 ml. vegetable oil.

Production and use:

Pour aloe vera cream (gel) and vegetable oil into a tightly closed container. Stir until a homogeneous consistency is formed.
Pour in essential oils. Shake thoroughly.
Apply the drug, if necessary, to uncovered areas of the skin.
Can be stored and used for 6 months.

Garlic tincture

100 grams of alcohol or vodka
1 head of garlic.

Preparation and use:

Peel the head of garlic and grate it on a fine grater.
Pour alcohol (vodka) over the garlic.
To stir thoroughly.
Apply to clothing and uncovered areas of the body with a spray bottle.

Vanillin with vodka

vanillin;
vodka or alcohol.

Mix vodka and vanillin in a ratio of 1:50. For example, 1 g of vanillin per 50 g. liquids.
Mix thoroughly and leave for 7 days in the refrigerator.
Spray on body and clothing before going out.

Types of ticks

So, there are three types of ticks that parasitize dogs:

Ixodes. The largest tick that feeds on the blood of animals.
Subcutaneous mite (demodectic mite). It feeds on epithelial cells and blood.
Scabies (internal, ear). Feeds on epidermal tissues.

Ixodid ticks

Parasites wait for their victims on the street: in the forest, on a dog-walking area, in the country, in public gardens and parks. Despite the painful symptom, ixodid tick bites themselves do not pose any particular danger. Much more dangerous than the diseases that a tick can infect a dog with.

Attached ixodid ticks are revealed by visual inspection of the animal's body - these are small brown bubbles with legs. If your dog's fur is very thick, you may not notice parasites right away. The situation is complicated by the fact that the tick can suck blood and fall off unnoticed.

Symptoms of a tick bite in a dog:

weakness, the animal is lethargic, constantly lying down;
thready pulse;
loss of appetite;
the whites of the eyes acquire a jaundiced tint;
urine darkens: brown, brown;
vomiting with bloody mucus;
hyperthermia (40°-42°C);
difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
swelling;
lameness.

Dangerous diseases caused by tick bites

Piroplasmosis (canine encephalitis). The encephalitis tick poses the greatest danger to young purebred animals. Without timely, properly selected treatment, the mortality rate from this disease can reach 100%.
Lyme disease (borreliosis). A widespread disease with a long incubation period - up to 2 months. Detected by a laboratory blood test. Treatable if detected early.
Ehrlichiosis. The incubation period is 7-20 days. The disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions. In progressive cases, death is possible.

Sometimes, after removing the tick, a reddened lump remains on the dog’s body. This is not a symptom of a dangerous disease, it is the result of an allergic reaction to chemicals in the bloodsucker's saliva. All you need to do is lubricate the seal with brilliant green and prevent the dog from scratching this area.

Dog lovers should know what to do if their dog is bitten by a tick. First, you need to properly remove the attached parasite at home or in a veterinary clinic. Secondly, submit the removed insect for analysis. Third, take the dog to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Subcutaneous mites

The peculiarity of this type of parasite is that they live in the internal organs, hair follicles and sebaceous glands of any dog. If an animal has excellent health and strong immunity, its body independently controls the number of uninvited guests. But as soon as the animal’s body weakens and the immune system fails, the tick begins to multiply uncontrollably - this leads to the development of a disease such as demodicosis. Popularly, this pathology is often called red scabies or scabies.

The first signs of the disease:

bald patches appear on the animal’s body;
the skin in areas of bald patches becomes rough, peels, becomes covered with scales and thickens;
pink or red rashes appear in areas without fur, sometimes with purulent contents;
the dog experiences severe itching, constantly scratches, injuring itself;
the hair changes its structure, becomes dull, brittle, and shaggy;
in long-haired breeds, shortening of the guard hairs is possible;
Dandruff may appear.

The main forms of demodicosis:

Focal (localized). Dogs up to one year of age are susceptible. It is characterized by the appearance of several bald patches with rough, flaky skin. In the vast majority it goes away on its own. Only 10% of cases become generalized.
Generalized. Bald patches gradually spread throughout the dog's body. Inflammation develops and the skin develops an unpleasant odor. Older individuals have a less favorable prognosis for full recovery.
Juvenile. Hereditary disease. Puppies up to one year of age are susceptible. Favorable prognosis for cure.
Pododemodicosis. A disease with a lesion on the paws. The weak point of cocker spaniels. Bald patches, boils, purulent inflammation, and erythema appear on all limbs.
Otodemodecosis. Inflammation of the outer ear. Bald patches appear around the ear. Black crusts form in the ears. The dog is experiencing severe itching.

Regardless of its form, ironworm is considered a non-contagious disease. The main reason for the appearance of bald patches, itching and painful areas of the skin is weak immunity. To reduce the risk of this pathology, the dog owner must take care of improving the health of his pet.

Scabies mites

This group of parasites includes two types of mites: scabies (internal) and ear mites (cutaneous). These are microscopic arthropods that resemble crabs in appearance. Once on the dog's skin, the parasites begin to multiply very quickly. Tick colonies in advanced cases can number up to several thousand individuals.

Signs of scabies mite infestation:

the dog experiences severe itching, because of this it constantly itches, shakes its head, scratches itself;
Scabs appear in places where scratching occurs;
Foci of redness and blisters with cloudy liquid appear on the ears, eyebrows, bridge of the nose, at the root of the tail, on the stomach, in the chest area and on the head;
the skin in places of irritation becomes rough;
the dog's hair changes its structure: it becomes dull, coarser, and a shaggy effect appears;
in places of pathological foci, hair falls out intensively;
dermatitis develops;
the skin becomes rough, cracks, and an “elephantiasis” effect appears;
large dandruff appears - particles of dead epidermis;
the animal is worried, sleeps poorly;
The dog loses its appetite and becomes exhausted.

The main question that worries dog owners is whether a dog can die from infection with scabies mites. The answer is disappointing - maybe, if treatment is not started in time. The death of the animal occurs from general exhaustion of the body.

Diseases caused by the scabies mite:

Sarcoptic mange. Caused by itching of the genus Sarcoptes. Locations affected: head, abdominal area, root of the tail, sternum area.
Notoedrosis. Invasive disease. The causative agent is the Notoedres mite. Location: dog’s head: forehead, brow ridges, nose. In advanced cases, it can spread to the limbs.
Otodectosis. Ear scabies is a contagious disease. The causative agent is the small white tick Otodectes cynotis. Parasites are localized in the ear. The skin of the shells turns red, ulcerates, and becomes covered with dark crusts. It is characterized by severe itching. Without treatment, it can spread to the head and entire body. The danger of the disease is that inflammation can spread to the inner and middle ear, meninges. This provokes nervous attacks and can cause the death of the dog.

The clinical picture of scabies resembles other diseases: dermatitis, demodicosis, eczema of the auricle. Therefore, a final diagnosis can only be made within a veterinary clinic based on the results of laboratory tests.

Folk remedies for animals

Pets are no less susceptible to tick attacks. In thick fur it is difficult to find a pest that can jump onto a person. In fact, every method that is used for preventive purposes in relation to humans is also suitable for animals. It is not recommended to use vinegar-based products on pets, as they will lick their own fur.

Important! Folk remedies for pests will quickly disappear, so during a long walk it is recommended to apply protective tinctures and sprays after 3 hours.

Vanilla-based tincture

It is necessary to combine 100 g of alcohol or high-quality vodka with 2 g of vanillin. The product is infused for 7 days in a closed container. Before going outside, the product is rubbed into the pet’s abdomen, paws and withers.

For preventive purposes against pest bites, vanilla is sometimes used in its natural form - the animal should be sprinkled with powder on all sides, rubbed into the fur. The protection will remain until swimming.

Scented collar

In addition, it is possible to protect the animal with the help of a scented collar. Products used directly for walking outside must be smeared with tea tree oil. It is not recommended to wear such a collar all the time.

Garlic cologne

This method is useful for pets who roam around the countryside. You will need the following components:

peeled large clove of garlic (or 3 small ones);
water – 2 l.

The head of garlic is grated (to chop, you can use a garlic clove).
A similar mass is added to water and infused in a dark and dry place for at least 8 hours.
Next, the solution is filtered and 2 liters of water are added.

You can lubricate the pet’s collar or fur with the product in question (only in inaccessible areas where he cannot reach on his own, for example, on the back or at the withers) and spray the dacha area.

Onions can be considered an alternative to garlic; the effect will be similar.

Pyrethrum spray

Pyrethrum is a pest control powder that is popular due to its natural ingredients. It is not toxic to animals. It is noted to be highly effective against mites. No chemicals are used in the preparation process; the composition is entirely made from ingredients of natural origin.

To prepare the mixture, you will need 6 tbsp. l. Dilute the product in 1 liter of water. The insecticide can also be used as a powder. For example, when ticks enter a tent through the entrance, it is possible to sprinkle powder near it.

Pyrethrum is a contact insecticide. After the active ingredient penetrates the tick’s shell, it enters the body, causing deviations:

the functioning of all internal organs will be disrupted (the action is determined by impaired transmission of impulses);
paralysis will occur, the remedy will deprive the pests of the ability to move.

In view of this, the number of adult insects will significantly decrease, and the surviving individuals will lose their reproductive function.

Wormwood infusion

To prepare the product in question, you will need:

Pour 50 g of wormwood leaves into 0.4 liters of water, boil and then cool.
Filter. Pour into a spray bottle.
Spray the animal if necessary.

Natural remedies that are aimed at preventing tick bites in pets have a number of requirements. When creating them, it is prohibited to use alcohol, cologne and vinegar.

The use of modern protective equipment will make it possible to prevent tick attacks. According to their own action, they include substances that are poisonous to pests or repel them (sometimes both actions are used at once). Now there is a large selection of chemical preparations for ticks, which have different uses and different costs.

Flea and tick oils

Remedies on this basis are not a panacea for already acquired parasites. Due to their rich smell, they will repel blood-sucking individuals, thereby preventing pests from getting on the fur and skin of pets. Among breeders and veterinarians, the following plants are recognized as the most effective anti-tick essential oils for dogs:

tea tree;
carnations;
juniper;
pennyroyal;
rosemary;
thyme;
eucalyptus;
rosemary;
lavender;
cedar;
citronella;
geraniums

Flea and tick oils

Swamp mint is not used for treating puppies and expectant mothers. You should treat your dog against ticks carefully, as some options can cause allergies in your pet. Immediately after the first treatment, it is necessary to observe the dog for an hour; if it becomes irritable or, on the contrary, too calm and lethargic, then this drug should not be used anymore.

Applying anti-tick oil is simple, just drop a few drops of the chosen product on your hands, rub a little and treat your pet's fur against growth. Such movements can be done several times, but you should not add funds.

Important!
Animals have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans, so the concentration of the product is chosen to be minimal.

Essential oils, vanilla

Parasites are repelled by an unpleasant odor, which is why the products most often used contain ethers. Anti-tick oil is very simple to prepare; just mix a few ingredients and the product is ready.

The most effective are clove oil against ticks, lemongrass, mint, chamomile, lavender, basil, geranium, and thyme. The list goes on and on. All plants contain oils, so experts recommend drinking tea with the addition of such plants, for example, basil. But their use internally must be done carefully, since there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction due to intolerance to the components.

Anti-tick essential oils for children or adults contain the following:

water – 100 ml;
alcohol – 10 ml;
selected oil – 10 ml.

Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. To prevent the aroma from scaring people away, esters with a pleasant aroma are added to it, such as coconut, shea, and almond.

What oil repels ticks? Another effective remedy for parasites has the following composition:

palmarosa or geranium ether – 15 drops;
base oil (almond) – two tablespoons.

Combine the oils and pour into a dark bottle; this mixture can be stored for up to six months. Apply to the surface of skin, clothing, shoes (a few drops). For small children, you can make special scented bracelets: apply a few drops of ether to a braid or ribbon and put it on the child’s hand.

When going to the forest or walking in the park with your whole family and pets, you need to protect yourself as thoroughly as possible from ticks. Natural parasite repellent includes geranium esters and almond oil. This composition should be stored in the refrigerator and used when necessary. To protect the animal, it is necessary to lubricate the withers, back or collar - those places that the dog does not need to lick.

If you are outside all day, you need to use protective equipment every 2-3 hours. It is worth remembering that such folk remedies cannot provide 100% protection against parasites, so you should be vigilant, wear only closed clothing in the forest or park, and upon returning home, conduct a thorough examination of the skin to exclude bites.

Vanilla has a pleasant aroma, but despite this, this spice is repulsive to ticks. To prepare sweet vanilla water you will need:

liter of water;
a few grams of vanillin.

Vanillin should be poured into water, put on fire to boil, then cooled and applied with a cotton pad to exposed areas of the body or the surface of clothing. For more reliable protection, it should be used every 2 hours.

To protect adults, vanilla tincture is suitable. To prepare it, you need to mix 100 ml of alcohol and a few grams of vanillin, place it in a dark bottle, and let it brew for a week. Treat the skin with the resulting solution.

"Perfume" with wormwood

20 g of dry wormwood leaves or 50 g of fresh leaves of the plant;
400 ml water.

Production and use:

Pour dried or finely chopped fresh leaves with water and boil.
Cool and pour into a spray bottle.
Spray the animal's fur if necessary.

It is important to know! Natural preparations against tick attacks quickly disappear and are washed off with water when swimming. During long walks, apply protection every 2-3 hours.

Liquid soap with balm Zvezdochka

Star on the tip of the knife;
glass of water;
5 tbsp. spoons of vinegar;
1 tbsp. spoon of liquid soap.

Soap and balm Zvezdochka against ticks

The water is heated a little to dissolve the ointment in it. Add vinegar and soap. Use the mixture to wipe open areas. The disadvantage of the product is that it repels ticks before the first sweat. Therefore, the soap drips off with sweat and stops working.

Important!
The validity period of these compounds is 6 months. These folk remedies are used for adults. Children need milder formulations against ticks.

Gel with essential oils

The volume of the product is large. It is prepared either for the whole family, or to combat parasites during long-term outdoor activities:

1.5 cups vegetable oil;
20 drops of essential oils with a pungent odor;
150 ml aloe vera cream or gel.

To prepare this gel, you can take clove, geranium or lavender oil. All ingredients are poured into a container with a closing lid and mixed thoroughly.

On a note!
The disadvantage of this product is that because of the vegetable oil, people begin to hate this mixture. Oil clogs pores and stains clothes.

Clove decoction

Easy to prepare, this decoction is highly safe and can therefore be used for children. Not suitable for animals. The recipe is incredibly simple and includes only two components:

1 teaspoon cloves;
200 ml water.

You just need to add cloves to water and bring to a boil. Next, the decoction is infused for several hours. If whole cloves were used, the recommended time would be 8-10 hours. Ground is prepared in 5-6 hours. It is recommended to avoid getting cloves on your skin. You can apply the decoction with regular cotton wool or a cotton pad.

Tea tree soap

It has a soft, long-lasting effect, but it is more difficult to prepare and use. Not suitable for processing animals. Soap includes such components as:

30 ml shower gel or liquid soap;
10-15 drops of essential oil;
5-10 ml soybean oil.

First, soybean oil must be added to the gel or liquid soap. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, add tea tree oil. It is very important to mix all components completely, otherwise they will not have the desired effect, or their use will be difficult. It is necessary to take a shower using the resulting soap before going outside.

Liquid with added medical alcohol

Has a high shelf life. Not recommended for children and animals. For such a liquid you must use the following ingredients:

2 teaspoons alcohol;
250 ml water;
2 teaspoons of any essential oil that repels ticks (cloves, tea oil, basil, thyme, mint, lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary, etc.).

All components are simply mixed together. This liquid can only be used in the form of a spray, as rubbing into the skin will lead to irritation.

Pour the liquid into a container with a spray bottle. Spray it on exposed skin and outer clothing. The shelf life of the spray in a closed container is six months.

By the way, this product is convenient to use, and you can take it with you, for example, on a trip to nature.

Ash

Previously, people in the taiga protected themselves from ticks with the help of ashes from a fire. They were sprinkled on clothes and hats. By the way, many people use this method now. It is believed that a tick will never crawl onto clothes covered with ash.

Tar

The tar smell is intolerable to ticks and fleas. Unfortunately, it is also unpleasant for most people, which is why in the city the most effective option for using tar—smearing it on a dog—is of little use. However, when hunting or hiking, this product can help.

Tar helps not only protect against forest ticks, but also get rid of ear parasites in dogs

In the city, anti-mite “perfumes” can be made using tar soap in combination with essential oils:

Take a glass of water, tar soap and essential oils:
thyme;
oregano;
juniper;
myrrh.
Grate the soap.
Mix with water.
Add 2 drops of each essential oil to the mixture.
Spray the animal with the resulting mixture.

You can also bathe your dog before a walk with tar soap; in addition, it is advisable to rinse it with a decoction of wormwood. This is not a very convenient method, since bathing is a long process. But the smell that repels ticks will last a little longer.

Anti-tick solution for dogs

What are ticks most afraid of and how can you protect your four-legged pet from bites? You can repel parasites with a solution made from essential oils. To do this, you need to take a few drops of natural oil:

lavender;
thyme;
tea tree;
cypress;
thyme.

Ways to use the solution:

apply directly to the collar - before each time you go outside, the smell will repel ticks, fleas and effectively protect against their bites;
comb the dog once a week - to do this, mix the oil with a teaspoon of alcohol, soak a cotton swab in it and distribute it over a comb intended for the animal;
Shampoo will help get rid of parasites - add 15 drops of an oil solution to 150 ml; every time after a walk during the tick season, you need to treat the animal by lathering it with the product and leaving it for a few minutes.

Essential oils will help effectively fight all kinds of parasites - the deterrent tool is the smell, which they cannot tolerate.

Do not overdo it with the amount when applying, because... A dog's sense of smell is much more subtle than a person's. If your pet begins to behave in an unusual way, try removing one of the components from the solution. Otherwise, this method of struggle is not suitable.

What is the danger of ticks

Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to the skin of an animal for the purpose of saturation. When bitten, the virus is transmitted to the dog along with their saliva.

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It can cause the following diseases:

Bartonellosis is dangerous not only for four-legged friends, but also for people. Causes inflammation of the joints, anemia, fever and abnormalities in the heart. The patient may develop pulmonary edema and meningitis.
Hepatozoonosis - such a virus may not have any effect on the health of dogs, and if a person is infected, the probability of death is more than 80%.
Piroplasmosis is the most common disease affecting domestic animals after a bite. It is not at all dangerous for humans, but in pets it causes lethargy, difficulty breathing, jaundice and gastrointestinal upset.
Lyme disease - in dogs, the disease manifests itself as fever, stiffness of movement, problems with the heart and respiratory rhythm. The virus is also transmitted in utero in 100% of cases, so when a dog becomes pregnant, the offspring dies.

Important!

At the slightest suspicion of infection, it is necessary to take a blood test using the ROC method. Only this method will make it possible to differentiate any parasite-transmitted disease in the incubation period and even in a latent form.

Where can a dog catch a tick?

The danger of infection with ixodid ticks appears in the warm season. Ticks become active in early spring and go into hibernation only in late autumn, when the first frosts occur. The most dangerous time is the end of May and the beginning of June. These carnivorous arthropods have special thermal sensors with which hungry parasites find prey.

Ticks sit on tall grass or bushes, waiting for prey. As soon as a dog passes by, the little parasite makes a jump, grabs the animal’s fur with its tenacious tentacles and begins to look for a place free of hair. When such a place is found, and this could be the groin area, parotid area, legs, stomach or neck, the tick pierces the skin and begins to suck blood.

Infection with other types of ticks occurs mainly through care items contaminated with parasite eggs: beds, bedding, dog toys. The second method of infection is contact.

The basis of folk remedies for ticks

Most often, the basis of a folk remedy for ticks for people and pets is one of the following elements:

Birch tar has a pungent odor that repels ticks.
Vanillin is a harmless natural preparation against blood-sucking parasites. Its smell is almost unnoticeable to humans, but it effectively fights attacks by blood-sucking insects.
Essential oils – have a strong odor and are used in deterrents. The essential oils of eucalyptus, geranium, palmarosa, lavender, mint, rosemary, thyme, basil, and tea tree have a pronounced scent.
Garlic - insects and mites, and even some people, cannot stand its smell. Mixtures with added garlic will protect your body. But you should not use it for rubbing in its pure form, this can lead to burns.