Ask The Dog Guide: All About Ticks
Question: What happens if a tick stays on my dog all summer without me finding it, and what did dogs do before they were domesticated and got ticks?
Answer: Well, a tick will naturally attach and feed until full, and will then fall off. However, while a tick is attached to your dog, it can transmit various illnesses, such as Lyme disease, or even cause paralysis. Some dogs are sensitive to toxins secreted by ticks when they attach, which can result in temporary paralysis. Diseases vary by tick, and therefore by region- for example, deer ticks (or blacklegged ticks) may carry Lyme disease, and are usually only found in the northeast.
Ticks will fall off on their own, but that can take a few days or months, depending on the type of tick. If you do discover a tick, it’s best to take your dog to a vet to have it removed. Home removal is possible, but commonly, problems arise if the head breaks off and remains imbeded within your dog’s body.
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September 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
[...] Learn more about natural flea prevention from The Dog Guide. Also, here is more information about dog health including removing dog ticks. [...]