If your dog spends time outdoors, there is a good chance that it will get bitten by a tick at some point. A tick bite can be a very serious matter for dogs. Not only is there the potential for infection at the site of the tick bite, but there is also the risk of disease transmission. In this blog post, we will discuss the potential consequences of a tick bite in dogs. We will look at the risks of bacterial infection, disease transmission, and tick paralysis. Knowing what to look for after a tick bite can help you ensure that your dog receives prompt treatment if any of these conditions develop.
What are tick bites and what do they look like?
Ticks are blood-feeding arthropods in the class Arachnida. Mites, scorpions, and spiders are other examples of this group. They have eight legs as adults and are obligate blood-feeders which means that they require a blood meal to survive. Ticks go through four life stages – egg, larva, nymph, and adult. In North America, there are many different species of tick but the three that most commonly bite dogs are the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), and the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).
Ticks attach to their host by burrowing their mouthparts into the skin. This process can take several minutes to hours. Once they are attached, they will begin to feed on blood. A tick bite in dogs is usually painless but some may show signs of discomfort or irritation at the site. The tick will remain attached until it is full, which can take several days. After feeding, the tick will detach from the skin and fall off. Depending on its life stage and species, a tick may engorge (swell up with blood) to many times its normal size after feeding.
A tick bite in dogs usually appears as a small, red bump on the skin. In some cases, the tick may still be visible on the skin and can be quite large depending on how much it has engorged on the dog’s blood. Tick bites in dogs seldom result in the standard "bullseye" red ring that is seen in humans following a tick bite.
How do ticks transmit disease?
Ticks are good at spreading diseases because they feed on blood slowly and persistently. Additionally, ticks transmit diseases to dogs through their saliva as they bite and feed.
What are the potential consequences of tick bites in dogs?
There are several potential consequences of a tick bite in dogs. The first is an infection at the site of the bite. This can happen if bacteria from the tick’s mouth enter the dog’s body through the bite wound. The second is disease transmission. Ticks can transmit a number of diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. The third is tick paralysis. This is a condition that results from the tick’s saliva entering the dog’s bloodstream and causing paralysis. Tick paralysis is usually not fatal if the tick is removed before the dog becomes too weak to breathe.
Bacterial infection from a tick bite in dogs
It is not uncommon to develop a localized skin infection following a tick bite in dogs. Signs of infection around the tick bite site may include redness, swelling, heat, pain, and drainage. The surrounding skin infection may reveal itself a few days after the tick bite. Infections are also very common if a tick has been removed improperly. If the tick is not removed in its entirety, the head and mouthpiece can remain and not only does this increase the chances of tick-transmitted diseases, it can be a source of infection and inflammation.
Disease transmission from tick bites in dogs
Ticks can transmit a number of diseases to dogs. Lyme disease is the most common tick-transmitted disease in dogs and is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) and can cause a wide range of symptoms including fever, lethargy, joint pain, loss of appetite, and lameness. In some cases, Lyme disease can affect the neurological system and cause kidney damage in dogs.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is another tick-transmitted disease that can affect dogs. RMSF is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). RMSF can cause fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and lameness.
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick and can cause fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, neurological symptoms, and hemorrhage.
Fortunately, these tick-transmitted infections can be treated with antibiotics, but early detection and diagnosis are very important.
Tick paralysis in dogs
Tick paralysis in dogs is a neurotoxicosis that rapidly progresses to generalized lower motor neuron paralysis. It can be fatal if the offending ticks are not removed and veterinary care isn't instituted. Dermacentor and Ixodes species of ticks are primarily involved and inoculation with toxins from tick saliva during their feeding leads to the development of tick paralysis in dogs.
The onset of clinical signs can occur as early as 12 hours after the tick starts feeding and the toxic effects are enhanced by higher temperatures. The toxicity of tick saliva increases as the tick engorges itself with blood, peaking 4-5 days after it has attached to the dog.
Clinical symptoms of tick paralysis can develop within 5-9 days after a tick starts feeding. Signs can be delayed up to 14 days in cooler temperatures. The speed at which a tick becomes engorged may be an important factor. Even if there is a huge infestation, clinical signs are not seen until the fourth day of feeding, even though ticks fall off when they are full.
The first signs of this disease appear in the hind legs, progressing within a day or two to affect the whole dog. The dog becomes paralyzed and loses muscle tone, as well as the volume and quality of its bark change due to laryngeal muscle involvement. Jaw tone and reflexes around the eyes may also diminish secondary to facial muscle hypotonia. However, pain perception, sensory functions, and sphincter control are all preserved. If left untreated, respiratory paralysis will eventually lead to death.
The tick or ticks must be removed as soon as possible. This is the most important part of treatment and may result in complete recovery if done early enough. If the tick is not removed, the paralysis will progress and can eventually lead to death. To avoid further release of toxins, ticks should be removed in their entirety, including their mouthparts.
If ticks are found, it is also necessary to identify them. In addition to tick removal, supportive care such as intravenous fluids, physiotherapy, and nutrition may be necessary. Clinical signs typically resolve within 8-72 hours with the appropriate treatment.
If tick paralysis is suspected by your veterinarian but a tick cannot be found on the dog, empirical treatment with a fast-acting anti-tick medication is recommended.
If you have noticed that your dog has been bitten by a tick, what should you do?
The first thing you should do is remove the tick. This can be done with a tick remover or by carefully using a pair of tweezers if you do not have access to a tick removal tool. Once the tick has been removed, clean the area with soap and water. You should then watch your dog for any signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Most veterinarians will recommend performing a tick-transmitted disease screening blood test a few weeks after the tick bite. This will test your dog for tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. If your dog tests positive for any of these diseases, it will most likely need to be treated with antibiotics.
How can you prevent your dog from getting ticks?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your dog from getting ticks:
For more detailed information on the veterinary products used to prevent ticks in dogs, please read our blog post on tick prevention. Furthermore, there are no licensed tick deterrents available for dogs, and the products used may not prevent a tick bite in dogs as the ticks are required to bite to be exposed to the medication.
A tick bite in dogs can have a range of potential consequences, including skin infection, disease transmission, and tick paralysis. It is important to remove ticks promptly and watch for any signs of illness after a tick bite has occurred. Early detection and treatment of any of these conditions are important for the health of your dog. If you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a tick, please contact your veterinarian immediately for further advice.