What is a tick?
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| Dog tick |
Ticks are small arachnids, typically (3 to 5 mm) long, Part of the eponymous family (Ixodoidea). Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of,birds,mammals and sometimes amphibians and reptiles. Ticks are vectors of a number of diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, q-fever, tularemia, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, relapsing fever and tickborne meningoencephalitis. In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 736 cases of Lyme disease contracted in New York State، the tick is a parasite that feeds on the blood of animals or birds such as fleas, lice ... etc.
Do ticks only infect dogs?
Though they are commonly associated with dogs, ticks can infect many types of animals. In the United States, the most common species of ticks that bite people are the American dog tick, the black-legged (or deer) tick, and the brown dog tick. The American dog tick is found mostly east of the Rocky Mountains, while the deer tick is found mostly in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and north-central United States. Ticks of both species can be found in California.
Ticks frequently attach to dogs in areas with a lot of trees, long grass, and dense brush. Ticks are more common during the warmer months, but they may be found on dogs year-round in some areas. If you live or travel to an area where ticks are common, check your dog every day for ticks and remove them immediately if you find one. Any delay in removing a tick could increase the risk of your dog developing a tick-borne disease.
Ticks are external parasites that can transmit disease to their hosts. Lyme disease, for example, is a disease that can infect humans, dogs and other animals. In the United States of America, Lyme disease is one of the most common diseases transmitted by ticks, Most of the reported cases occur in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the country.
Even though Lyme disease can be transmitted by multiple species of ticks, the primary carrier in the United States is Ixodes scapularis, more commonly known as the deer tick. Lyme disease is most commonly associated with dogs, but humans can get it too. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, Ixodes scapularis is the primary tick that transmits Lyme disease to humans.
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| Tick |
What animals get ticks?
Some animals that get ticks are deer, cows, horses, sheep, and dogs. Ticks are found in woods and fields. Ticks can cause problems for animals and people. Animals with ticks may scratch a lot.
What are the main causes of ticks in dogs?
There are several reasons why pet dogs may be infested with ticks. One of the most common is when a dog interacts with wild animals. Pets that live inside, such as a house cat, can also get infested with ticks if they venture outside. Tick infestation can also occur when the dog isn’t wearing protective clothes and spends time outdoors.
Dogs are prone to ticks because of their fur and their anatomy. Dogs have a lot of fur, which is great for keeping them warm in the winter, but it also means that they are very susceptible to ticks. Ticks can attach to dogs' fur and crawl around on them, feeding off the dog's blood. This can lead to a number of problems, including Lyme disease ,anaplasmosis and scabies
Background and Causes of Tick Illnesses in Dogs Tick infestations are a common problem in dogs. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including pathogen exposure, habitat modification, and climate change. Many diseases are spread by ticks, which can lead to serious health problems for your pet. Tick-borne illnesses occur when ticks feed on a host animal and then transmit a microorganism to the victim.
There are many potential causes for ticks in dogs, but the most common are environmental factors such as parasites and bacteria, and exposure to tick-carrying mammals or birds. Dogs can also catch ticks from other dogs, or from their environment. Outdoor dogs are at a higher risk of tick exposure because they spend more time outside and are more likely to come in contact with other animals and their parasites and bacteria. Some breeds are also more prone to ticks than others.
Pets can be infested with ticks and parasites, most commonly Toxocara canis, the dog tick. Pets can also be infested with other types of parasites, such as fleas and heartworms. Tick infestation is typically caused by exposure to a wild animal such as a deer or a rabbit, but can also be caused by close contact with a pet that has been infected with the tick parasite. Signs of tick infestation in pets include fever and anemia.
Kinds of ticks
1- Barn (flour, bread) mite
2- Argas mite
3- Brown dog tick
The brown dog tick belongs to the Ixodes family. It leads a parasitic way of life on mammals, it can even attack humans. Dogs are its main victims. The dog tick is not constantly on the animal: after drinking blood, it leaves it until the next time. Able to hide in the cracks of the floor and walls for a long time. This is (where the females lay their eggs).
The brown tick is very dangerous, because. is a carrier of serious diseases - Marseilles fever, tularemia, encephalitis. You can meet him in the humid coastal regions of Europe, Asia and Africa. In Russia, lives on the shores of the Black Sea.
4- Water (sea) mite
5- Gamasid mite
6- ixodid tick
7- shell mite
8- pasture mite
9- spider mite
10- Subcutaneous mite
11- Dust (bed, linen) mite
12- eyelash mite
13-scabies mite
14- taiga tick
Methods of treating pet dogs from tick parasite
The frequency of processing depends on the end goal. If the drug is used for treatment, then it is applied twice. Repeated application allows you to get rid of the larvae hatched from the eggs and prevent re-laying.
In order to prevent, an acaricidal agent is applied before mating, vaccinations and during the period of increased parasite activity, lasting from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Depending on the form of release, the frequency of processing is:
1 time per month - drops, tablets;
1 time per day - sprays.
Collars are put on before going out or worn on an ongoing basis. The use of shampoo is acceptable as an additional measure or as directed by a veterinarian.
Immunocompromised at-risk animals are recommended to be treated on an individualized schedule. It should be agreed with the attending physician in order to exclude adverse reactions to the components included in the composition.
Please note that the constant use of the same drug reduces its effectiveness. Periodic change to other brands will help to avoid resistance (that is, stability).
Precautions and contraindications
When applying acaricides, be aware of their toxicity. Do not treat areas that a pet can easily reach. The safest places are the withers and the line along the spinal column.
During processing, observe the following precautions:
Do not apply the drug to wet or damaged skin.
Carefully follow the instructions in the package or the recommendations received from the veterinarian on an individual basis.
Refuse to combine several acaricidal agents in favor of one complex one in order to avoid allergies and other negative reactions due to an overdose of insecticides.
Try to avoid bathing for 3 days before and after applying the drug, so as not to wash it off before it is completely absorbed.
Remember that some popular remedies may not be suitable for your pet due to age, weight or other physiological characteristics. For this reason, a veterinarian should be consulted before use.
Conclusion
Most ectoparasites found in dogs are dangerous to humans and other domestic animals. Neglect of prevention and delayed treatment can result in massive infection of all family members, so do not deviate from the recommended treatment schedule.