We Suddenly Lost Our Dog To Hemangiosarcoma

Vet Explains How To Avoid Dangerous Tick Bites In Your Dogs This Spring

Tick bites can be seriously dangerous for your dogs, but an expert vet has explained exactly how you can avoid this hazard to your furry friends this springtime

Avoid tick bites with these tips (

Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)

It's that time of year again where our furry friends are at risk of pesky tick bites when running through sunny fields, but there are things you can do to help.

As the weather warms up and we step into spring, most of us are keen to get outside and enjoy ourselves - and your dogs are no exception. From long walks in the countryside to playing in the garden, your pooch is likely to be thrilled to be spending more time outdoors, but tick bits are a high-risk and very common hazard that all pet owners need to be aware of.

While you might have no idea where to start when it comes to avoiding tick bites on a dog walk, these expert-approved tips from a vet will ensure you are more than prepared to keep your beloved dog happy and healthy.

The expert - veterinarian Dr. Hannah Godfrey - explained to the Daily Mail that there are many reasons you have to be seriously careful about ticks biting your dog in the warmer months.

"Sadly, ticks can carry dangerous bacteria and parasites such as Lyme disease and babesiosis, which can pass on to your pets and can lead to severe anaemia and even organ failure," she explained.

There are four steps you can take to ensure that your dog doesn't get poorly, and this includes starting off with preventing tick bites from occurring altogether. You can use tick prevention methods like treatments - similar to those that prevent fleas - and collars to do this, but it's really important that you ask your vet for what product they would recommend for your dog.

You should never use a tick control method that is made for a cat on a dog, or the other way around, Dr. Godfrey warns, because they are not the same and can be deadly when used on the wrong animal, so again go to your trusted vet for the best option that's out there for your pet.

Ticks are a parasite that thrive in long grass and their bite can lead to Lyme Disease (

Image:

Getty Images)

When it comes to your outside space, if you're lucky enough to have a lawn, keep it cut back in the warmer months, so there are fewer places for the parasites to make their own in your garden.

After walking your dog, you should thoroughly check for bites as soon as you get home. Bites are most likely to appear on their head, belly, armpits, or neck - so take care to look over these areas fully. The expert explains that you can do a check by simply running your hands over them and noting any bumps on their skin - these are usually pretty small.

If you do find a tick bite on your dog, don't panic, but it does need to be removed as soon as possible. There are products made for this exact purpose you should invest in as a dog owner because trying to pull it off yourself can often leave part of the tick remaining on your pet, which could lead to it becoming infected - and be sure you don't crush it or squeeze it during the removal process.

Unattended tick bites can most commonly cause Lyme disease, the symptoms of which won't show up for "weeks or months after being bitten, at which point the disease could have spread throughout the body. Early signs of Lyme disease include a lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy," the expert explains.

If you think there is a chance they have been infected, get them a vet appointment as soon as possible for further treatment. Ticks can also even cause paralysis in dogs, some of the early symptoms of which are the dog being unable to coordinate their back legs or vomiting, and this would start within days of the bite itself.

Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.Mackenzie@reachplc.Com

Dogs: Vet Reveals How To Prevent Tick Bites On Your Pets

With spring finally upon us, many of us will be looking to get outside and enjoy the countryside after a very wet winter.

And the same is true for our pets, who will be ready to soak up the sunshine and warm weather by our side.

But spending more time among nature means a heightened risk of tick bites, which can, in some cases, result in Lyme disease.

Dr Hannah Godfrey, vet at Petsure, warned: "You can recognise a tick by their oval-shaped bodies, and spider-like legs. They're usually very small, less than one centimetre long, and can vary in colour but are often brown or white.

"Ticks bury their mouthparts deep into the skin of both animals and humans while they feed, then drop off when they're full. When they're done feeding, they become a dark grey/brown colour and are much larger in size.

It's good practice to do a tick check anytime your dog returns from outdoors (Image: Getty/andriano_cz)

"Ticks are common in woodland and grassland and are most active throughout the spring and summer. Sadly, ticks can carry dangerous bacteria and parasites such as babesiosis, which can pass on to your pets. Babesiosis (the condition caused by the Babesia parasite) causes damage to the red blood cells and can lead to severe anaemia and even organ failure.

"One of the more common diseases transmitted by ticks in the UK is Lyme disease, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Early signs of Lyme disease include a lack of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Symptoms of Lyme disease can appear weeks or months after being bitten, at which point the disease could have spread throughout the body.

"Some tick bites can even cause paralysis in dogs. Symptoms of this usually appear three to nine days after the tick attaches itself. Paralysis typically starts with a loss of back leg coordination, followed by a change in breathing, vomiting or gagging, and a change or loss of bark."

How to protect your dogs from ticks Check pets after walks

It's good practice to do a tick check anytime your dog returns from outdoors. Run your hands over their body, making sure to focus on areas like their head and ears, belly, and armpits. Try to feel for any small bumps on their skin.

Use tick control products

There are plenty of products out there that can help prevent tick bites. Look out for collars, sprays, and spot-on treatments, but be sure to only use products recommended by your vet.

Never use tick control intended for cats on dogs, and vice versa

Tick treatment for dogs include chemicals that can be lethal for cats, and a treatment intended for cats may also be harmful to your dog. Your vet will recommend the right treatment for your specific pet.

Cut back the grass in your garden

While ticks are more common in woodland areas, they can also be found in your garden. Make sure to keep the grass and vegetation in your garden cut short to avoid harbouring ticks.

What are ticks?

Ticks are tiny, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of animals and humans, and are commonly found in woodland and moorland, particularly in areas with long grass.

They don't jump or fly, but will climb on to you if you brush against something they're on. The tick will then bite and attach to the skin, where they will feed on blood for several days before dropping off.

Ticks are most active between spring and autumn and are widespread across the UK, but the most high-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands.

Is Lyme Disease Curable? Here's What You Should Know About Tick Bites And Symptoms.

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping – it is nearly the perfect time of year to hit the trails or set up a campsite. While you're enjoying the fresh air and cool breeze, it's important to remember a few things: Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and protect yourself from ticks and other insects.

Ticks can carry Lyme disease. You may become infected with the disease if you are bitten by black-legged ticks. Hallmark symptoms of Lyme disease in the acute stage include a "bullseye" rash, (erythema migrans), fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. Without treatment, Lyme disease can progress to include neurological, heart, and joint problems.

Lyme disease has become controversial in recent years – not because Lyme disease doesn't exist (it does), or that it can't cause long-term issues, (it can) but because predatory actors may promote unproven diagnostic testing or treatments. We help you parse out fact from fiction.

Why do so many Americans have Lyme disease?

You are at risk for tick bites when you hike or camp in heavily wooded areas. In the United States, there are cases reported in every state, however, it is most common in midwestern, northeastern, and mid-Atlantic states. According to the CDC, cases reported outside of these regions are likely due to being infected in another state, and then traveling somewhere else.

We also love pets. Ticks love to latch onto dogs and cats. You can get Lyme disease if your pet brings ticks inside your home.

Nervous about a tick bite? Here's what to know about Lyme disease from symptoms to treatment

Is Lyme disease curable?

Yes. For most people, a course of antibiotics (around 2-4 weeks worth) will wipe out the infection with no long-term damage.

Can you fully recover from Lyme disease?

Most people do fully recover. However, long-term damage may occur, especially if treatment is delayed. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some people with Lyme disease may go on to develop post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS), which is characterized by persistent musculoskeletal and nerve pain, fatigue and memory impairment.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins recently published a review article in Frontiers in Neurology that describes how autonomic nervous system dysfunction may occur in those with PLDS. Some syndromes that fall under autonomic nervous system dysfunction include postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (complex regional pain syndrome or CRPS.) These conditions can cause a wide array of symptoms, ranging from lightheadedness or fainting to severe pain. It's important to talk to your doctor, so they can help you pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.

America has a pain problem. How can we find relief?

Who should I trust to help with my symptoms?

Your primary care doctor or an infectious disease doctor is the most qualified to help if you suspect you may have Lyme disease or have not recovered after having Lyme disease. If you have severe Lyme complications or PLDS, a neurologist, cardiologist, or rheumatologist may be able to help.

You can protect yourself from ticks altogether by wearing long sleeves and pants, using bug repellent, checking your skin regularly and showering after being outside. By taking these precautions, you can play all day and keep the bugs away!

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Lyme disease curable? Ticks, symptoms and treatment

View comments

---