Dog Ticks Can Be Harmful To Your Cocker Spaniel

"Ticks in dogs are no laughing matter - they spread harmful diseases - check your Cocker Spaniel regularly to keep him safe!"

What Are Dog Ticks?

Of all the unwelcome visitors your dog is likely to bring home, dog ticks are probably one of the most unpleasant.

A tick is an arthropod (spider-like parasite) which feeds on blood from it's host, and there are hundreds of tick species around the world.

Not all ticks found in the UK transmit disease, nor are they as dangerous as those that can be found in other countries; however, as you probably won't be able to tell one tick from another, it's important that all ticks are removed as soon as they are spotted to ensure the continued health of your Cocker Spaniel.

Dog ticks can infect humans as well as dogs and, while they can irritate humans, they still prefer to feed on dogs.

Depending upon environmental conditions and the climate, ticks may be active all year round. However, they are usually more active during the spring and autumn months.

Dog ticks can be found in tall grasses, pastures, weeds, moorland and woodland. Just like dog fleas, ticks are attracted to movement, vibration and warmth and will lurk in vegetation awaiting the unsuspecting passer-by.

When a warm-blooded animal (or human) brushes past, the warmth and vibration will trigger the tick into action and it will climb onto the animal.

The tick will crawl through the coat towards the warmth of the skin where it will settle in a crevice or a place with little or no hair. The tick bites into the dog's body and will then feed...and won't release its grip until it's finished feeding!

Dogs with medium to long coats are more susceptible to picking up parasites as their long flowing coats are more likely to come into contact with grass, weeds, and other such vegetation, than dogs with a shorter coat - although a shorter coat isn't exempt from parasitic hitch-hikers!

Ticks Transmit Disease

These blooksucking parasites can transmit some terrible diseases such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Typhus, Tolaremia, Colorado Tick Fever, Texas Cattle Fever, and Rhipicephalus Sanguineus.

Ticks in dogs are no joke!

As we mentioned earlier, not all of these diseases are common in the UK, but they can be found in other parts of Europe, Africa and the United States of America.

Symptoms Of Disease Caused By Dog Ticks

There are many symptoms of disease caused by ticks in dogs and they may be observed as follows:

• lethargy
• diminished appetite
• general weakness
• muscle pain or weakness
• inflamed lymph nodes
• joint pain or swelling
• anaemia
• lameness
• fever
• tick paralysis
• rash
• and in the worst cases, death.

Dog ticks can transmit disease to both dogs and humans - that's why it's particularly important that all ticks are removed as soon as you spot them - the sooner you remove a dog tick, the more you reduce the risk of disease.

If you or your dog display any of the above symptoms, particularly if you've recently had a problem with ticks or you've been abroad, contact your vet or doctor immediately.

How To Find Dog Ticks

If your dog is regularly exercised in the countryside (the tick's natural habitat), it would be a good idea to remain extra vigilant for these parasites.

Chek your dog's coat and skin regularly as follows - remember, they prefer to attach themselves to areas of your dog with little or no hair, folds and crevices:

• Run your hands over your dog's muzzle, head and check his ears.
• Next feel under his body and his belly, his paws and his legs - especially on the inside of each leg where they join the body - in fact, check all crevices.
• If you do feel any lumps or bumps, these could be tick bites, examine them closely.

If the tick has not yet fed on your dog's blood, it may be difficult to spot - in which case, look for small grey dots on your dog's skin.

If the dog tick has had a blood meal, it will become engorged and appear darker, making it much easier to see. It may, by now, be the size of a pea and a darker grey in colour.

How To Remove Dog Ticks

You can buy a special tool to help you to remove dog ticks. They're readily available at most good pet stores and are relatively inexpensive.

A 'tick picker' is a two pronged fork-like tool which grasps the tick (so you don't have to!) and is very easy to use.

Simply place the tick remover above the dog tick - make sure the body of the tick is in the wider part of the tool before placing it flat on your dog's skin.

Pull the tick remover slowly backwards to 'trap' it the 'fork'.

Once the tick is securely gripped in the tool it can be carefully lifted away from your dog's skin.

Pull the dog tick out slowly and carefully. Try to remove the entire tick intact as occasionally the head may be left in the skin. If left in the skin, the head may cause irritation or infection for your dog - if this happens, use a pair of tweezers to pull it out, gently, or ask your veterinary nurse to do it for you.

There are some who recommend burning the tick with the end of a cigarette or match head to force the tick to release its grip on the skin - we do not endorse this method as we feel it's too dangerous and may result in burning your dog.

The only safe way to remove a tick is to use either a tick removal tool, a pair of fine tweezers, or by hand. If you're squeamish or worried about touching the tick, or about disease, we suggest you invest in a box of latex gloves - the type that doctors and dentists use.

When removing the tick by hand, nip the underneath the tick's body - as close to your dog's skin as possible - and gently pull the tick out without squeezing its body to avoid potentially infected blood returning to your dog's bloodstream.

Also, the closer you nip to the skin, the less chance there is of the tick's mouthparts remaining embedded in your dog.

Once you've removed the dog tick, dispose of it very carefully; either burn it or flush it down the toilet.

If your dog bleeds a little, place a clean tissue or some cotton wool over the wound and apply gentle pressure until it stops bleeding.

Clean the puncture wound on the dog's skin using either an antiseptic or a solution of gentle soap and water. Keep an eye on this area for a couple of days - if it becomes infected, take your cocker spaniel to see his vet.

Prevention Of Dog Ticks

There are many treatments available to guard against ticks; shampoos, sprays, tick collars, dog tick powder.

You may need a prescription from your vet for some products, but most are available without prescription and can be bought direct from your local pet store.

The ‘spot on’ products that are advertised for tick and flea treatment are very effective (however you'll need a prescription for some lines) and need to be applied regularly in order to be fully effective.

If you prefer a more 'natural' approach, you can buy a herbal preparation from a health shop or you can make your own, for example, by adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your dog's water, or you can use it to bath your dog - make sure you get into all the nooks and crevices.

Neem Oil is a natural insecticide - it's safe and can also repel fleas.

Eucalyptus oil and lavender are also said to be natural insecticides.

Whatever you decide to use, it's important that you closely follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging - especially any instructions for dilution.

Dog ticks don't need to be too much of a problem if you groom your dog regularly. Brush him thoroughly and feel his skin for lumps.

Checking your dog's coat and skin regurlarly will help you to identify and remove ticks and fleas before they become a real problem.

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