Dogs love nothing better than being able to get out and about in long grass and woodlands. This is great for their health both physically and mentally. However, lurking in this dog paradise are some rather nasty bugs that are just waiting for an obliging dog for them to hop onto and start feeding. Ticks will fix themselves to your pets skin and draw blood and possibly leave behind a nasty infection. It is important to be able to recognise dog tick bite symptoms as Lyme disease, which can be contracted as a result of a bite, can be fatal. Other problems such as anemia and tick paralysis are also possibilities if not treated.
Your dog will be more vulnerable to picking up a tick during the high risk season between May and September. Do not, however, assume that it is not possible to become host to one outside of these months. They are not always easy to spot, especially if your dog has long, dark fur. When they first attach to the skin they will be fairly small and inconspicuous. They also have a habit of finding their way into ears and paws and other hard to access places. Often your dog will remove them himself if he can reach, but armpits and the back of the neck etc are not easy places for him to get to. If you have been out in an area that you think may be susceptible to ticks you must make sure that you check your dog thoroughly and keep a careful eye open for any dog tick bite symptoms.
Dog
There are a variety of species of tick and a number of different diseases that may be contracted as a result of a bite. These may present different dog tick bite symptoms. However, some general guidelines as to what you should look out for include:
o Fever
o A loss of appetite
o Limping or a difficulty in walking
o Tender or painful areas in the limbs or body
o A swelling of the joints
o General lack of energy and 'off color'
If you feel that your dog is exhibiting any of these dog tick bite symptoms and you think that there is even a small chance that he may have been bitten, you should take him to be examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Do not think that removing a tick from your dogs skin is going to be a guarantee that he will not be affected. It is easy for a tick to infect a dog and this infection will stay with him even after the tick has been removed. Although some of the diseases associated with tick bites can be very serious an early diagnosis and treatment will ensure a good prognosis.
Dog Tick Bite Symptoms
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