A few years ago, it was said that the "tick season" lasts from spring to autumn, but nowadays more and more veterinarians confirm that the problem actually lasts all year round. Ticks are carriers of many dangerous diseases: babesiosis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis. Each of these is very dangerous for dogs. How to protect your pet from them?
Prevention is key!
First of all, it is important to remember to regularly protect your dog against ticks throughout the entire year. Products are available in various forms: tablets, drops for the neck, collars. It is always worth consulting a veterinarian when choosing a method to protect your dog, as some tablets can strain the liver.
Important! There are drops and collars on the market containing the active substance – permethrin – which is toxic to cats. Such products should not be used on dogs living with cats. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian to help choose a safe and effective product. It is better to get a collar or tablet from a clinic rather than a pet store.
How to use tick prevention products?
For the products to be effective, they must be used correctly.
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When using a collar, remember to put it on properly. It must fit snugly against the skin so that the owner can fit two fingers between the collar and the skin. It is also worth checking from time to time whether it has loosened due to the dog's activity.
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Drops must be applied to the skin, not the fur. Why? They will not absorb or enter the body otherwise. It is recommended to avoid rain and bathing before and after applying drops to allow them to penetrate the skin. -
Giving a tablet is less complicated, but if the dog dislikes it, the owner should check whether the tablet was not spat out or, if given with food, cleverly avoided and left in the bowl.
Some products may lose effectiveness over time because ticks develop resistance to the active substances in the formula. Products will also work with varying effectiveness depending on the region of Poland. Many dog owners living in the Lublin region (where babesiosis is common) claim that tablets are the only effective solution to protect against ticks. This is another reason why it is worth agreeing on the choice of product with a veterinarian – they will know which solutions work best among their patients.
Natural methods for ticks on dogs
Among dog owners, there are also supporters of natural methods to protect dogs from ticks. They use herbal mixtures or decoctions to spray the fur. However, these methods should be approached with caution. First of all, it is essential to check whether individual ingredients are not toxic to the dog. It is also worth remembering that natural methods may not be effective. The smell of herbs alone can irritate the dog, causing stress and anxiety. As a result, instead of protecting the dog from ticks, unwanted effects may be caused unintentionally.
Also remember that the statement
"removing a tick protects the dog from illness" is a MYTH.
Removing the parasite quickly can prevent disease transmission, but the owner can never be 100% sure that this was the case. If you decide to remove a tick yourself, it is worth using a special tool – tick removers – which allow you to remove it completely. Leaving the mouthparts under the dog's skin due to improper pulling will only make things worse. The risk of disease transmission increases, and it may also be necessary to cut the dog's skin to remove the parasite's remains. Under no circumstances should you crush, pour on, or smear the tick with any substances. These will not help remove it but will only irritate and accelerate the release of saliva, which carries the disease. In case of doubt, it is always better to go to a clinic where a veterinarian or veterinary technician will professionally remove the unwanted "guest".
Test for tick-borne diseases
It is worth mentioning that tests for tick-borne diseases are also available. They are performed at the appropriate time after potential infection (a few weeks after a tick bite). This is especially valuable information for dog owners in regions where the incidence of such diseases is high. Early detection greatly facilitates the treatment process and in some cases can even save the dog's life.
The problem in diagnosing tick-borne diseases is the occurrence of very nonspecific symptoms. This is another reason to opt for tests if in doubt. If the dog has a fever, chills, strange limping, diarrhea, vomiting, or rust-colored urine, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Noticed symptoms but no tick?
Do not ignore the problem! The tick may have gone unnoticed in the fur. It could have been a tiny nymph (one of the tick's developmental stages), very hard to spot. Ticks can appear anywhere, even in short grass in front of an apartment block, so you can never rule out the possibility that the dog was bitten.
Unfortunately, no product guarantees 100% effectiveness. Nevertheless, it is worth reducing the risk by protecting your dog with tablets, drops, or a collar. A well-chosen, regularly administered tick prevention product can save your dog's health and life.
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