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Dog Tick
There are lots of different kinds of ticks but they all work in the same way. The difference is that some ticks favours humans and some dogs. Just as the human tick the dog tick is an external parasitical arachnid that feeds on the blood from mammals and birds, and in some cases even from reptiles and amphibians. In fact, the human tick and dog can not be separated since they actually could switch between the species at any time. . |
Most of us who own dogs have encountered this vermin that in most cases is not dangerous for your canine friend but still pretty disgusting to have carried into your home. Especially since it can let go at any time and then actually are quite dangerous for humans if the dog tick carry diseases
Dog tick – In the world, in nature and on your dog
The dog tick can be found more or less all over the world but it is most common on the northern parts of the American continent, in Europe and some parts of Africa. Against common beliefs, the dog tick can not jump onto its host. Instead it will sit and wait on a branch or on high growing grass for a suitable host to pass by and then just grab on. The dog tick can be found a little here and there on a dog but one usual place to find them are around the collar since that’s where the skin is thin and the fur is thick.
Dog tick – The Life Cycle
Like all other ticks the dog tick goes through 3 different phases of life, not counting when it merely is an egg. Out of the egg comes a larvae that mostly will hang around and await a suitable host, vermin such as rats and mice are quite usual. This is where the dog tick might become contagious, not born with disease but receiving it by feeding on contaminated blood. Once full the larvae will drop off and transform into a nymph. Now humans and household pets are perfect for the dog tick nymph and on a dog the nymph will most probably not be detected. Once the dog tick nymph is full it will drop of once again to transform into a full-fledged adult dog tick. These will usually not try to feed on humans but your dog might still be a target. Usually these dog ticks are discovered by the dogs owner and shall be removed. If the dog tick is allowed to get a full meal this time it will mate and the female dog tick can lay up to 4000 eggs that potentially can become new dog ticks the next year. Do your dog a favour and dispose of the removed dog tick in a cold blooded manner. You could have saved your canine friend from many more dog ticks.
Dog tick – Removing
The dog ticks mouth look very much like a harpoon which it plunges into the skin of its host. Your dog won’t feel a thing since the dog tick simultaneously spits a mild painkiller which makes the sting unnoticeable. Once anchored the dog tick can stay attached for as long as it pleases and it is very hard to remove them in a safe way without using a tool of some sort. A pair of tweezers is perfect for getting a hold of the dog ticks head and slowly pull it out.
Dog Tick - A deer tick which bites dogs
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