Ticks control in Dogs By: Dr. Nabeel Yousaf

 Ticks control in Dogs

By: Dr. Nabeel Yousaf

DVM, RVMP, NAVLE

Ticks are arthropod ectoparasites (present on skin) and effects most animal species, dogs have the highest rate of tick infestation. There are hundreds of types of ticks, but we are not going to discuss types here as this article is for pet owners. Ticks affect an animal in various negative ways and cause esthetic and economical loss by causing different health problems in animals. Some important health problems related to Ticks infestation are discussed here. 

1. Itch and rough hair coat: TIcks are biting and suckling parasites. 

Continuous irritation on the skin causes animals to scratch and bite the affected areas of the skin, which can lead to wounds and skin infections in addition to patchy hairs. Dogs do not get enough sleep and stay irritated. 

2. Poor appetite: Affected animals have irritating skin problems which lead them to decreased appetite and finally poor health. In such conditions animals with poor health can develop another disease due to decreased immune response. 

3. Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which animals have less blood than normal. Ticks suck a lot of blood on daily basis. On average heavy ticks, and the infestation can cause 70 to 80ml blood loss on daily basis. 

4. Tick Fever: Ticks affect animals directly and indirectly by serving as a vector for other diseases. A vector is a living or non-living factor that transmits disease-causing agents from one animal to the other. Tick fever is a lay term used for many diseases which include Babesia, Thaleria, Rickettsia, Anaplasma, etc. These pathogens cause multiple conditions like severe anemia by the destruction of red blood cells, Epistaxis, high fever up to 106 F, anorexia, blood in urine, nephritis, Lymphadenopathy and even death in untreated animals.   

Detection: Regular inspection of animals' skin is recommended. 

Susceptible seasons: Spring, summer, and fall are seasons when ticks infestation is common. Summer is the most dominant season.

Most affected dogs: all breeds of dogs are affected by ticks but animals with heavy/long hairs are more affected.  

Control: 

There are many products in the market that proclaim to eliminate ticks completely from your animal, but please be careful in buying a tick control product because most of the old chemical products have shown resistance. 

I am recommending you the products based on my experience and expert reviews. I will recommend you use products from two main classes of animals. 

1. Insect growth regulators (IGRs): are insecticides that mimic hormones in young insects. They disrupt how insects grow and reproduce. IGRs can control many types of insects including fleas, cockroaches, and mosquitos. S-Methoprene is the main chemical that has the tendency to control ticks growth for 2 to 3 months after one application. Products containing this chemical in combination with other is worth using. some popular brands are following. 

2. Afoxolaner is an insecticide and acaricide that belongs to the isoxazoline chemical compound group.

This chemical has a great capacity to control and kill ticks and many other ectoparasites for a long time.

3. Fluralaner is a systemic insecticide and acaricide that is administered orally or topically. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it under the trade name Bravecto for flea treatment in dogs. 

Keep calm and control ticks in your Dogs.