Ticks on dog unfortunately becoming more and more common, especially for those who like to travel in forests and fields. In recent years, the tick population has increased in the Nordic nature, partly due to a greater occurrence of deer, overgrowth of vegetation and changes in the climate. We explain what you should do if your dog has been bitten by a tick, and what preventive measures you can take! 

Table of contents

What exactly is a tick?

The tick is a blood-sucking parasite, and resembles a kind of small spider. It lives in forests, grass and other vegetation, but likes to bite down to suck blood from people and animals as soon as it gets the chance. The tick can also carry infectious agents from other animals and spread disease to the next host. It often finds itself lurking on a blade of grass, waiting for a passing victim to pounce on. Ticks can therefore be a plague and a nuisance (literally) for dog owners, especially in the summer months. 

Where do you find ticks?

The tick can be found in virtually every part of the world, and today over 900 species with different geographical distributions have been identified. In Norway, it is the wood tick (Ixodes ricinus) that is most widespread, especially in the south and on the west coast. It is also known under a number of other names, such as hantikk, skaubjønn or tege. 

When is tick season in Norway?

It is usually said that the tick season in Norway lasts from March to November. The tick is active from early spring when it starts to get milder than 4-5 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, we live in an elongated country with a changing climate, and the tick season can therefore vary depending on where you are.

Read about ticks on cats

How to remove ticks on a dog?

Ticks are small parasites that can attach to the dog's skin and cause discomfort. It is important to remove the tick from the dog properly to prevent infections. Follow these steps:
  1. Have one ready tick remover, tweezers or tick hook. This helps you remove the tick without leaving any residue.
  2. Carefully examine your dog's fur to find the tick. They often like warm areas such as around the ears, neck and between the toes.
  3. Use the tick remover to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Carefully pull straight up without twisting or pinching. This reduces the risk of the tick's head remaining in the skin.
  4. After the tick is removed, disinfect the area with a mild antiseptic solution to prevent infection.
  5. Keep an eye on the dog in the days after removal. If redness, swelling or signs of infection occur, contact your vet.
  6. Use preventatives such as tick collars or spot-on treatments to protect your dog from future tick attacks.

Remember that proper tick removal is important for your dog's well-being. If you are unsure how to remove a tick, it is best to contact your vet for guidance.

 

 

Illustration of how to remove a tick on a dog and cat.

Tick-borne diseases in dogs

Most ticks do not carry disease, but in some cases a tick bite can lead to infection. Since the tick population has generally increased, the number of disease cases has also increased in recent decades. If the dog were to become ill as a result of a tick bite, it is usually Lyme borreliosis (LB) or anaplasmosis. 

Symptoms of tick-borne disease

The course of the disease and the symptoms will vary depending on which bacteria the dog is infected with. 

Lyme disease

Not all dogs infected by the Borrelia bacteria develop Lyme disease, but if the dog becomes ill it can be very serious. Here at the animal clinic, we actually see more than 10 cases of Lyme disease per year. Unfortunately, we also see annual deaths as a result of organ failure because the patient arrives too late for treatment. 

Symptoms of Lyme disease are a reduced general condition, joint inflammation, muscle pain, fever and reduced appetite. In chronic cases, the skin, heart, kidneys and nervous system can be affected. As a rule, the symptoms of the disease do not appear until up to 5 months after the dog is infected, and by removing the tick as soon as possible, the risk of infection is also reduced. 

Anaplasmosis 

Anaplasmosis is also a common tick-borne disease, but will cause more acute symptoms that appear after approx. 1-2 weeks after the tick bite. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection, and causes symptoms such as fever, fatigue, reduced appetite, stomach and intestinal disorders, pain and tenderness. 

Where on the dog does the tick attach?

We recommend going through the fur and doing a tick check after every walk, especially in the summer. The most common attachment points are on the head, chest, legs and neck.

 

 

Illustration of where on the dog a tick bites. Ticks on dog.

Prevent tick bites

Tick ​​agent for dogs

We recommend making fur care and the tick check a daily routine in the spring and summer. In addition to this, there are also other preventive measures, such as giving the dog a tick treatment. Preventive tick repellent for dogs You can buy a prescription at the pharmacy. Here in Vestfold, unfortunately, there are a lot of ticks, and we therefore recommend that all dog owners make use of preventive tick products. 

There are three varieties of preventive tick treatment for dogs:

  • Collar, often called tick collar. This works after 1 week, and provides an effect for approximately 5-8 months depending on the product. Collars against ticks should not be used for puppies younger than 7 weeks.
  • Tick ​​agent which is applied directly to the coat. This gives full effect after 2-3 days, and the effect lasts for approx. 4 weeks. Should not be used for puppies younger than 2-8 weeks, depending on the product.
  • Tablet against ticks that the dog chews on, and which gives an immediate effect. The effect lasts for 8-12 weeks.

Preventive vaccine against Lyme disease 

We also recommend all our customers to give the dog Lyme disease vaccine, to protect against Lyme disease. Although tick repellants help to prevent ticks, it is difficult to ensure the dog 100% against tick bites at all times. When vaccinating, the dog receives a basic vaccine twice, three weeks apart. You then vaccinate annually in good time before each tick season.

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Elisabeth is a veterinarian and authorized ophthalmologist with specialization in eye surgery, as well as further training in internal medicine, general surgery, oral surgery and ultrasound from the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies in Toulouse.