Ticks on dog are unfortunately becoming more and more common, especially for those who like to travel in the woods and fields. The tick population has increased in the Nordic countryside in recent years – due to, among other things, 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!
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What exactly is a tick?
The tick is a blood-sucking parasite and resembles a small spider. It lives in forests, grass and other vegetation, but it likes to bite to suck blood from humans 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 is often found lurking on a blade of grass while waiting for a passing victim to jump on. Ticks can therefore be a plague and a nuisance (literally) for dog owners, especially during the summer months.
Where do you find ticks?
Ticks are found in almost every continent, and today over 900 species have been identified with varying geographical distribution. In Norway, the castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) is the most widespread, especially in the south and on the west coast. It is also known by a number of other names – including hantikk, skaubjønn or tege.
When is tick season in Norway?
It is usually said that tick season in Norway lasts from March to November. Ticks are active from early spring when it starts to get milder than 4–5 degrees. However, we live in a long country with a changing climate, and tick season can therefore vary depending on where you are.
How to remove ticks on a dog?
Ticks are small parasites that can attach to your dog's skin and cause discomfort. It's important to remove ticks from your dog properly to prevent infection. Follow these steps:
- Have a tick remover, tweezers, or tick hook ready. This will help you remove the tick without leaving any residue.
- 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.
- Bruk the tick remover to grasp 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.
- After the tick is removed, disinfect the area with a mild antiseptic solution to prevent infection.
- Keep an eye on the dog in the days after removal. If redness, swelling or signs of infection occur, contact your vet.
- 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.
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 are infected The Borrelia bacterium develops 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 about 1–2 weeks after the tick bite. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection and causes symptoms such as fever, fatigue, decreased 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.
Prevent tick bites
Tick agent for dogs
We recommend making grooming and tick checks a daily routine in the spring and summer. In addition to this, there are also other preventive measures, such as giving your dog a tick repellent. Tick repellent for dogs can be purchased on prescription at the pharmacy. Here in Vestfold, there are unfortunately a lot of ticks, and we therefore recommend that all dog owners use tick repellent.
There are three types of tick preventative for dogs:
- Collars, often called tick collars. This works after 1 week and is effective for about 5–8 months depending on the product. Tick collars should not be used on puppies younger than 7 weeks.
- Tick repellent 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 on puppies younger than 2–8 weeks, depending on the product.
- Anti-tick tablet that the dog chews on and that provides 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 repellent helps prevent ticks, it is difficult to ensure the dog is 100% protected against tick bites at all times. When vaccinated, the dog receives a basic vaccine twice, three weeks apart. Then, the vaccination is given annually, well in advance of each tick season.
