Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dog Ticks - What Every Dog Owner Should Know

Dog ticks are parasites that feed on dogs and are
normally found in the woods, bushes or tall grass. As such, they usually attach
themselves to the dogs when they walk in such an environment. Most pet owners dread
the prospect of dog ticks on their pets, and for good reason. Dog ticks not only
make a dog's life miserable, but they also transmit various diseases which can
lead to death. It is therefore important for pet owners to know how to protect
their dogs from tick infestation. This article will discuss the dangers
associated with dog ticks, as well as how a pet owner can protect a dog from
ticks.

No More Fleas or Ticks Without Chemicals!


Although not all dog ticks transmit diseases, the
threat of this danger is always real where ticks are concerned. In
most cases, tick-borne diseases are not immediately transmitted to the dogs.
This means that if the ticks can be located and removed as soon as possible,
the better. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases are the Lyme disease
and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The Lyme disease is characterized by
lameness, fever, loss of appetite and body pains. The symptoms of Rocky
Mountain spotted fever are vomiting and fever. These conditions are curable but
if not treated in time, they can cause death. In order to ensure the dog's
safety, one should be on the look out for any changes in the dog after a tick
infestation.
Given the seriousness of diseases associated with dog
ticks, pet owners should try to keep their dogs free of
ticks. One of the ways in which pet owners can protect their dogs from ticks is
by applying a tick repellant on them. Tick repellants are available in the
market or from your local vet. The downside of using such repellants is that some dogs have allergic reactions to the chemicals in them. You should always watch your dog closely after the first treatment.
If a pet owner does not use a tick repellant, it is advisable to check the dog for ticks on a regular basis. This is particularly
important if the dog spends most of its time outdoors, or if one lives in an
area infested with ticks. Dog ticks usually attach themselves in areas with
little or no hair as well as in the body's crevices. If the dog has ticks, one can either use tick
control dips or powders to kill them. One can also remove the ticks manually by
using tweezers to grasp them. It's a good idea to use a cotton swab to smother the tick with finger nail polish before removal. You should wear gloves as a precautionary measure since one cannot always tell which ticks can transmit diseases to humans. As
much as possible, the tick's head should not remain in the dog's skin, since it
can cause inflammation or secondary infection. Once removed from the dog, the
ticks are best disposed by throwing them into a fire or toilet. It is advisable to
apply an antiseptic to the tick bite in order to prevent infection. Protecting one's pet from dog ticks can save both the
pet owner and the dog a lot of trouble in future.
Kristi Sayles, invites you to check out what she uses on her own dog to prevent fleas or ticks:

Pet Protector without Chemicals

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