If you are a pet parent, then you would have probably seen a few ticks on your dog. If you have and if your dog is still happily wagging his or her tail around you, go give them a hug because not everyone is as fortunate.
Ticks are a common occurrence in dogs and can cause tick fever. Some dogs survive despite hundreds of ticks on their body while some could fall prey to even a single tick!
The statistics of dogs succumbing to tick fever on the internet do not account for the thousands of stray and orphan dog lives. At iAdopt, we have seen numerous dogs falling prey to tick fever. Despite the best efforts from the best doctors, some poor dogs and puppies do not make it.
This article is dedicated to Jack, a Golden Retriever who was heartlessly abandoned by his owners as they felt burdened by his sickness from tick fever. Unfortunately, even the best efforts by the iAdopt team to save his life were not enough.
So, it is high time that more pet owners realise the severity of tick fever and the danger that ticks pose.
Read the article till the end and get educated about ticks and tick fever so that you can protect your dogs and puppies better!
Table of Contents
What are Ticks?
Ticks are small arachnids. In simpler words, they are insects that belong to the same family as spiders. These insects are about 3 to 5mm in length and can be easily spotted in dogs under their fur coat, clung onto their skin, if present.
Although most tick bites do not transmit deadly microbes into the body right away, due to the sheer number of ticks and tick bites, the frequency of transmission is still considerably high.
Ticks primarily feed on the blood of their host. They cannot jump or fly, they crawl with their legs and cling on the skin.
It is important to know that dogs are not the only animals affected by them. Thye can also transmit diseases to cats, birds, reptiles and even humans.
There are several tick-borne diseases of which the most common in India are:
Canine Babesiosis
Canine babesiosis is caused by the parasite Babesia and is found worldwide.
Young dogs and puppies are more vulnerable to this parasite.
How Do Dogs Get Canine Babesiosis?
At large, there are three ways that your dog can contract canine babesiosis.
- Bite of an infected tick
- When another infected dog bites or scratches your dog
- Transplacental (from infected pregnant dog to unborn puppies)
Clinical Signs of Canine Babesiosis
- Systemic shock
- Anaemia
- Abnormally dark urine
- Fever
- Weakness
- Pale mucous membranes
- Depression
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Low platelet count
- Low blood protein called albumin
Ehrlichiosis
Canine babesiosis is caused by a rickettsial organism (an organism similar to bacteria). The most common rickettsial organism is Ehrlichia Canis.
How Do Dogs Get Ehrlichiosis?
Unlike canine babesiosis, ehrlichiosis is transmitted only through tick bites from infected ticks.
Clinical Signs of Ehrlichiosis
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weight loss
- Bleeding
- Neurological distress
- Anaemia
- Blindness or other eye problems
- Swollen limbs
- Low red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
Stages of Tick Fever
Once the disease-causing parasite enters the bloodstream of your dog, it begins to multiply and spread rapidly. Dogs do not show symptoms of tick fever right away and can take anywhere between 8 and 20 days for the first signs.
There are 3 stages of tick fever:
- Acute Phase
- Subclinical Phase
- Clinical Phase
Acute Phase
The acute phase can last anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks in dogs. The chances of recovery are highest in this phase.
Symptoms:
- Low fever
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pains
- Nasal discharge
- Breathing problem
Subclinical Phase
The subclinical phase does not show any noticeable signs, and the dog may even appear to recover. In fact, the dog can appear to be normal and healthy for several weeks or even months!
In this stage, the organism remains dormant in the dog’s spleen. Depending on the dog’s immunity and care by the owners, they can make a recovery for good.
Clinical Phase
The clinical phase begins post subclinical phase if the dog’s body is unable to fight off the disease. The chances of recovery in this stage are faint.
Symptoms:
- Lameness
- Anaemia
- Bleeding
- Inflammation of eyes
- Swollen limbs
- Kidney problems
- Failure of bone marrow (no blood production)
- Enlarged liver
- Tender abdomen
- Neurological issues
Treating and Preventing Tick Fever
Firstly, you have to rush to the doctor if you notice any abnormality whatsoever in your dog.
Medical treatment and diagnosis of tick fever can vary from place to place and from clinic to clinic depending upon the protocols, availability of medicines and government regulations. Below are some of our tips you can follow to help your dog fight the disease and even prevent your dog from falling sick in the first place.
- Lots of love and affection
- Tick repellents
- Strengthening your dog’s immunity
- Keep the environment clean
Lots of Love and Affection
Just like humans, dogs are emotional creatures too. Nothing is more important to them than their owners, not even their own life!
You must have heard how many health problems of humans disappear when they are taken care of their loved ones. This is a psychological effect, just like the placebo effect. A mother caring for her child is probably the most relatable ones.
In the same way, dogs feel safe and comfortable when their owners are constantly beside them, caring for them and loving them. In case of our poor dog, Jack, his owners abandoned him when he was at his weakest point in life, and it is undeniable that this saddened and psychologically traumatized Jack that played a key role in the downfall of his health!
Never leave your dog’s side under any circumstances!
Tick Repellents
There are many tick repellent products available over the counter that you can purchase. They are very inexpensive. Some of them are:
- Tick sprays
- Tick-free shampoos
- Tick repellent powders
- Tick collars
- Tick dips
- Spot-on tick repellents
Strengthening Your Dog’s Immunity
Immunity plays a key role in helping your dog fight tick fever. Feed your dogs appropriate foods to help in their overall well-being.
Omega-3 rich foods like fish, reduce inflammation. They also contain essential oils for the dog.
Adding a little apple cider vinegar to the diet also helps keep ticks at bay while maintaining the pH levels in the body. You can even mix apple cider vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio and spray it on your dog’s body before taking them on walks.
Some noteworthy immuno-boosters for dogs that you can prepare at home are:
- Mushroom broth
- Bone broth
- Meat broth
- Antioxidant-rich foods (spinach, barley, beans, cabbage, etc.)
Moreover, switching to a high-protein fresh meat diet from kibble/processed foods is something that we, at iAdopt, always recommend as a healthy diet for dogs in general. Ensure that the meat is cleaned thoroughly (and frozen for at least 24 hours), if not cooked.
Above all, always keep your dog stress-free and happy. A stress-free lifestyle for your dog is crucial for a strong immune system!
Keep the Environment Clean
Keep the Environment Clean
Keeping yours and your dog’s surroundings clean and hygienic will ensure that ticks do not thrive.
Talking about hygiene, it is also advised that you regularly groom your dog. Brushing your dog’s fur once in one or two days will help you easily spot ticks if present.
A Note for New Dog Adopters
If you are considering to adopt a dog and are exploring different breeds, please realise that the ideal dog would be the one that is native to your region.
When dogs are in their native regions, their immunity will be stronger. For example, the immunity of a Golden Retriever (a dog native to Scotland) will typically be weaker than the immunity of an Indian Mongrel or another Indian dog breed like Rajapalayam, when both are in India, and vice versa.
For the best interest of both the dog and you, we request you to discourage the unhealthy breeding businesses and adopt dogs that are native to your region.
This article on how to choose a dog will help you make the right decision.
Conclusion
It is a common misconception that it takes a tick infestation to put the dog at risk or tick fever. This is not the case. It just takes one infected tick to cause tick fever in dogs.
Do not underestimate a sickness. Meet your veterinary doctor as soon as you observe any abnormalities like loss of appetite, high temperature or unusually low physical activity.
