Picture this: you’ve just come home from an adventurous bush walk with your favourite partner in crime and you notice a lump on his skin. It’s a tick! You know that some ticks on dogs can be harmful, but how do you recognise what type it is? How do you remove the tick from your dog’s body? And when do you need to go see your vet? Don’t worry, you can find the answers to the 10 most important questions about ticks on dogs below. Read on!
1. What types of ticks are there?
The four most common ticks in Australia are bush ticks, brown dog ticks, cattle ticks and paralysis ticks. They are brown in colour at first and have a bluish or grey colour once fully engorged. Bush ticks make up 90% of all ticks in New South Wales. Although all ticks can cause some skin irritation and an allergic reaction, the paralysis tick is the most dangerous tick in Australia.
This tick chart from Quakers Hill Veterinary Hospital can help you identify the various shapes and sizes of different types of ticks. Pop it on your fridge for a good reference point in case you ever need it.
2. Which tick causes tick paralysis?
The paralysis tick is the most harmful tick we have in Australia. There are two types of this tiny terror:
- The eastern paralysis tick: this tick is the most common delinquent causing tick paralysis in Australia. It is found along the eastern coast, stretching as far as North Queensland down to Northern Victoria.
- The southern paralysis tick: this tick is found in Tasmania, southern Victoria and in south-eastern New South Wales.
Only the adult female paralysis tick can cause paralysis in dogs and cats. When fully engorged, they are bluish to light grey in colour. In comparison, bush ticks, cattle ticks and brown dog ticks are brown or dark grey in colour.
3. How common are ticks in my area?
Although it is often thought that ticks are only active in summer, you can unfortunately brush against these critters all year round. In the Sydney region, they are mainly found from late August till March, when the weather warms up.
The number of ticks also explodes after wet or humid weather. They thrive in these weather conditions that we despise, so be extra alert after long periods of rain.
If you live near bushland or the beach, you’re more likely to find these pests crawling around in tall grass or thick underbrush.
In our local area, paralysis ticks are known to be a major problem in the Illawarra region. This includes Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. Be extra cautious for these nasty creepers if you live in these areas, or after you’ve been on a sandy beach adventure with your furry friend.
4. How do I recognise ticks on dogs?
The size and colour of a tick depends on whether you catch them before or during a feast. They start off small, between 3mm to 10mm in width (picture an apple seed). They have 8 legs and are brown in size when still small, changing to a light brown, bluish or grey colour once fully engorged. Ticks are easier to spot with a full belly as they then are around 1 centimetre in size. It’s however best to catch them once they are at their smallest, so don’t wait around until they grow before removing ticks from your dog’s body.
5. How do I remove a tick from my dog?
The best tool for removing a tick from your dog’s skin, is a set of tick tweezers or another tick removing tool. You can find them at most pet stores and even in some supermarkets.
Before you start Operation Tick Annihilation, get your hands on some disposable gloves and have a small plastic container or zip lock bag ready with a few drops of alcohol inside.
The alcohol kills the tick once removed from your dog’s body and the container or bag allows you to hold onto it until you reach your vet. Keeping the tick will help recognise what type latched on to your innocent pooch and can determine whether it was a paralysis tick. Never apply the alcohol directly onto your dog’s skin!
Follow these steps to remove the tick on your dog:
- Grab the tick with the tweezers as close to your pet’s skin as possible, at the tick’s mouthparts
- Twist the tick a few times until it becomes loose
- Pluck the tick away from the skin slowly and in a gentle motion
- Be cautious to grab the tick’s mouth and not to squeeze its body
- Place the tick in the bag or container you prepared earlier
Make sure the whole tick is removed, as sometimes the head stays buried in your dog’s skin. You will notice a dark spot if this is the case. Don’t try to remove this part of the tick yourself but take your dog to a vet.
6. What does tick paralysis in dogs look like?
Ticks on dogs can be harmful. Look out for these signs for a paralysis tick bite, even if you haven’t (yet) spotted the pest on your dog:
- Difficulty standing (up), or uncoordinated when walking
- Difficulty sitting or rising from a lying position
- Change in sound of bark or howl
- Difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing and panting
- Coughing
- Retching and/or vomiting
- Excess drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to blink in one or both eyes
- Progressive paralysis, often starting in hind legs
- Respiratory failure
Paralysis ticks can also affect cats
Go to your vet immediately if your feline shows any of the following symptoms:
- Agitation
- Difference in meow sound
- Unusual breathing pattern
- Weakness (less obvious early on)
- Gagging or retching
- Excess drooling
- Loss of appetite
- In later stages you might notice difficulty in walking or a lack of balance
Symptoms from a paralysis tick bite might linger for two to three days after a tick bite, sometimes even up to one week. So just because your dog isn’t showing any signs of sickness, a trip to your vet is still highly recommended.
7. What do I need to do after a tick bite and when my dog is showing symptoms?
We understand that seeing your dog in agony is heartbreaking and stressful. It might be easier said than done but remaining calm is the best thing you can do for your furry friend. Act swiftly and take your dog to your vet immediately to increase his chances of a full recovery.
After you have removed the tick, keep it in a small bag or container and bring it with you to your vet. Don’t offer your dog any food or water (yes, you must resist those puppy eyes), as your pet might not be able to swallow properly from the tick’s toxins which can be a choking hazard.
Your vet will check your dog for any other ticks that may have crawled under their skin and give them an antitoxin serum to help get rid of the nasty remains.
If your dog has been bitten by a paralysis tick, they most likely will require hospitalisation for a few days to recover from the toxin. They will also have to take it easy for at least another two to three weeks afterwards as the tick’s toxin can also affect your dog’s heart rhythm.
8. How can I prevent ticks on my dog?
You can find different tick treatments for dogs and cats at pet stores and supermarkets. Some tablets need to be administered monthly and others every 3 to 6 months. There are also collars and topical treatments available. Check to see which is best for your pet and consult with your vet if you’re unsure.
Apart from frequent tick treatments, it is important to search your dog’s body for ticks daily. Run your fingers through their fur and check all spots, including their face, ears and tail. Don’t forget their armpits, between the toes and under your dog’s collar, as ticks like to hide in warm spots. Add some belly rub intermezzos and a treat at the end of the examination so your dog starts loving his daily skin check.
You can also help reduce your dog’s exposure to ticks by keeping your backyard mown and clean from leaf litter to prevent ticks from taking residence. And if you live close to the beach or bushland, be extra wary of these nasty little pests.
9. Do I always need to go to a vet after a tick?
If you’re certain it’s not a paralysis tick that hitched a ride on your dog and your pooch doesn’t have any symptoms, then they probably won’t have to see a vet. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
It only takes a minute to ring up your vet and they will be able to give you the best advice for your situation. You’ll either receive peace of mind, or life-saving treatment for your dog. Can’t go wrong with that!
10. Can my dog get Lyme disease from a tick?
Dogs (and their human counterparts) can only get Lyme disease if they are bitten by a tick that carries the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. This bacteria has not been found in Australian ticks or in any insects that could also pass on Lyme disease. This means that our four-legged friends are luckily safe from this illness.