Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs & Prevention Strategies

As dog owners, we want to keep our dogs happy and healthy. Ticks, though tiny, can cause serious health issues by transmitting dangerous diseases. Knowing how to prevent, identify, and treat tick-borne illnesses is key. 

In this article, we’ll explore common tick-borne diseases, what the symptoms of tick bites in dogs are, and the best tick prevention for dogs. We’ll also share advice on how to check for ticks on dogs and safely remove them. We’re here to help you protect your furry family member by showing you how to choose the right tick and flea medicine and spot symptoms of tick diseases in dogs.

Understanding Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Tick related diseases in dogs spread when an infected tick feeds for 24–48 hours. When this happens they transmit harmful organisms into your dog’s bloodstream. They’re more common in wooded areas, tall grass, and near water. 

While some dogs show mild symptoms, puppies, seniors, and those with weak immune systems can become seriously ill. Regular tick checks, quick removal, and year-round tick prevention are the best ways to protect your dog.

Common Tick-Borne Diseases That Affect Dogs

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a common tick-borne illness in dogs, spread mainly by black-legged (deer) ticks. Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs often appear 2–5 months after a tick bites your dog. These symptoms include fever, shifting leg lameness, swollen joints, low energy, enlarged lymph nodes and behavioral changes. 

Unlike humans, dogs will not get a bull’s-eye rash. So, behavior changes like your dog acting weird after a tick bite are important to watch for. If untreated, Lyme can lead to serious kidney damage. Vets diagnose Lyme tick disease in dogs with blood tests, and typically treat it with a 4-week course of antibiotics. However, there is a vaccine available for dogs in high-risk areas. 

Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is a serious tick-borne illness that affects dogs worldwide. Spread by the brown dog, lone star, and black-legged ticks, it attacks your dog’s white blood cells. Signs of ehrlichiosis in dogs usually show up 1–3 weeks after a bite. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis include fever, low appetite, bruising, nosebleeds, and, in severe cases, eye issues or neurological symptoms. 

Vets use blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, and treatment with antibiotics typically lasts four weeks. Earlier treatment typically leads to a better recovery. 

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne illness spread by the black-legged tick. It can cause symptoms like fever, low energy, joint pain, and poor appetite similar to Lyme disease. One key difference is that anaplasmosis in dogs often leads to low platelet counts, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Some dogs show no signs at all, while others may become quite sick. 

Vets diagnose anaplasmosis through blood tests, and treat it with a course of antibiotics for 2–4 weeks. For Anaplasmosis, once you start treating tick bites on dogs, most begin feeling better within a day or two.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Another serious illness caused by ticks is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick spread this illness. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in dogs usually appear 2–14 days after a bite. These symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and sometimes wobbliness. Your dog may develop a skin rash, but it could be hard to spot through the fur. RMSF requires prompt treatment with doxycycline to avoid serious complications. Most dogs improve within 48–72 hours. 

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a serious disease caused by parasites that destroy red blood cells, usually spread by tick bites. In rare cases, it can also spread through dog bites, from mother to puppies, or contaminated blood. Babesiosis in dogs causes anemia, with symptoms like pale gums, weakness, dark urine, and sometimes jaundice. Severity can range from mild to life-threatening. 

Vets diagnose it through blood tests and treat it with antiprotozoal meds like imidocarb and supportive care. Prevention starts with effective tick control and avoiding contact with infected dogs.

How To Find Ticks on Your Dog

Regular tick checks after outdoor activities are essential, especially during peak tick seasons in spring, summer, and fall. It’s important to know what ticks look like on dogs for early detection and removal. 

Ticks vary in size and appearance depending on their species and whether they’ve recently fed. Unfed ticks are typically small (about the size of a pinhead) and flat. While, fed ticks can expand to the size of a small grape. When examining your dog, pay special attention to areas where ticks commonly attach such as:

• Around and inside the ears
• Around the eyelids
• Under the collar
• Under the front legs (armpits)
• Between the back legs (groin area)
• Between the toes
• Around the tail

Part your dog’s fur carefully and use your fingertips to feel for small bumps on your pet’s skin. A tick on a dog often feels like a small, firm lump that wasn’t there before. Remember that small ticks on dogs can be particularly easy to miss, especially on pets with thick or dark fur. If needed, use a fine-toothed comb to help part the fur for a more thorough examination. 

Types of Ticks Commonly Found on Dogs

Different species of ticks have distinctive appearances. Knowing the type of tick can help determine the proper treatment required if infected. Here is a list of common ticks on dogs in North America:

• Black-legged (deer) tick: Dark brown to black body with a reddish-brown lower body. 
• American dog tick: Brown with whitish-gray markings on its back. 
• Lone star tick: Recognized by a distinctive white spot on its back. 
• Brown dog ticks: Reddish-brown and lack any distinctive markings.

How to Properly Remove a Tick from Your Dog

As a pet parent, it is important to know how to remove a tick from a dog. If you discover a tick on your dog, proper removal is essential to minimize the risk of disease. Follow these steps for safe and effective tick removal:

1. Gather your supplies: Removal will require fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, gloves, antiseptic, and a container with alcohol to dispose of the tick.
2. Position your dog comfortably: Have someone help hold your dog still or ensure they’re in a calm, comfortable position.
3. Grasp the tick properly: Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Aim for the tick’s head or mouthparts, not its swollen body.
4. Remove with steady pressure: Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk, as this may cause the mouthparts to break off in the skin.
   • Wondering how to tell if a tick head is still in your dog after removing a tick? Check for a small dark bump where the tick was. If its legs move, you likely removed it all. If not, the tick may have its head stuck. If you can’t remove it, contact your vet.
5. Dispose of the tick safely: Place the removed tick in alcohol to kill it. If your dog shows any unusual symptoms, keep the tick in a sealed container to show your vet.
6. Clean the bite area: Clean your dog’s skin with antiseptic and wash your hands thoroughly.
7. Monitor the site: Watch the bite for several days for signs of infection or reaction, such as increasing redness, swelling, or warmth. If your dog has a bump after tick removal, that is normal and will typically go away on its own in a few days. 

Avoid common tick removal mistakes like using petroleum jelly, nail polish, or a hot match. These can make the tick release more saliva and raise the risk of disease. Never crush a tick with your fingers, as doing this can expose you to infection.

Preventing Ticks and Fleas on Dogs

The best way to protect your dog from ticks is prevention. Protecting your dog year-round with tick preventatives, regular checks after outdoor activity, and quick removal are essential. Here are several ways to reduce the risk fleas and ticks on dogs:

Effective Flea and Tick Preventatives

Finding the best product for ticks and fleas on dogs is crucial for year-round protection. Here are several effective ways to prevent fleas and ticks on dogs:

• Topical treatments: Vets often recommend monthly tick treatments for dogs, such as Frontline, K9 Advantix, and Revolution. You apply these to the skin to kill and repel ticks before disease spreads.
• Oral medications: Chewable tablets like NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica kill ticks when they bite and most dogs readily accept.
• Flea and tick collars: These provide continuous protection for several months. Seresto collars, for example, can provide tick control for up to 8 months.
• Sprays and shampoos: These provide shorter-term protection and can be useful additions to your prevention strategy. These are especially useful before outdoor activities.

Consult your vet to determine the best medicine for fleas and ticks on dogs based on your location and pet’s specific needs.

Protecting Your Home From Ticks

Reducing ticks at your home is another important prevention strategy:

• Keep grass short and remove leaves where ticks can hide
• Create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn
• Remove brush and weeds around your house and at the edges of your yard
• Consider professional yard treatments in tick-prone areas
• Vacuum frequently indoors, especially if you have a known brown dog tick infestation

When to Seek Veterinary Care

While prevention is key, knowing when to seek veterinary care about a tick on your dog is equally important. Contact your vet if:

• You notice symptoms of tick-borne disease. These may include a reduced appetite, lameness, fever, or your dog is lethargic after a tick bite.
• You find an engorged tick on your dog, suggesting it’s been attached for some time
• The tick’s mouthparts remain in your dog’s skin after removal
• The bite on your dog becomes increasingly red, swollen, or warm
• Your dog has a known tick bite and begins acting unusual in the following weeks
• You live in an area with high rates of tick-borne disease and your dog has had tick exposure

Early intervention can make a significant difference in treatment success and prevent complications. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet with concerns. They’re your partner in keeping your furry family members healthy and happy.