These parasites aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases.
Let’s talk ticks. Or have a tick talk, if you will. Don't worry, this tick talk won’t involve any dance moves, but it will tell you all about an arachnid that survives off blood and could be big trouble for your beloved dogs.
Ticks need blood to survive. Because of this, they choose to live in habitats frequented by potential mammal hosts. A tick will hang onto the grass and wait for its next unsuspecting victim to stroll by. Unlike fleas or mosquitos, ticks do not jump or fly; but instead, they crawl upward.
How big are they?
Seeing them can be tricky as ticks are generally tiny. Young ticks can be barely visible, while adult ticks, especially when engorged with blood, are more noticeable but still only reach about 0.5 cm. 1 When they aren’t full of blood, an adult tick is about 3-4 millimetres. 2
Where are they found?
Over 40 different species of ticks can be found across the country. 4 However, eastern Canada reports the highest rate of tick-related infection. 3 The most common ticks Canadian dogs might encounter are from the Dermacentor or Ixodes groups which include the American Dog Tick (also known as the Wood Tick) and the Blacklegged Tick (also known as the Deer Tick). 5
Ticks generally prefer to live in wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf litter, but they can also be found in urban areas, including parks and green spaces. Different ticks tend to like different environments. The Blacklegged Tick prefers a moist environment like leaf litter, while the American Dog Tick prefers drier conditions. 6
In addition to environmental conditions, there's a major contributing factor to why Canada's east side has so many ticks; the population of White-Tailed deer – a tick’s preferred host. 7 Eastern and Central Canada also share borders with American Lyme hotspots and are within flying distance for ticks who catch a free ride on migratory birds. 8
You may have noticed ticks getting a lot more press lately. That’s because tick populations in Canada have increased due to bird migration, warmer winters (thanks to climate change), and increased deer populations. 9
When are Ticks most active?
As soon as the thermometer hits 4 degrees Celsius, ticks will start looking for a person or an animal to feed on and continue until the temperature remains under 4 degrees consistently. 10 Young ticks are at their most active during the spring.11
American dog ticks are usually not expected during the fall and winter seasons, but Black-legged ticks remain active in the autumn. 12 The winter tick, commonly found on moose in Canada's Northeastern region, can remain active in the colder months. 13
How dangerous are they?
Ticks carry bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness in both humans and animals.
The most commonly known illness that ticks can transfer is Lyme disease. Lyme disease causes fatigue and severe problems with the central nervous system, potentially leading to tick paralysis and the loss of muscle function. 14
While over 80% of the population in Eastern and Central Canada could be living in higher-risk areas for Lyme disease, Lyme disease awareness remains relatively low.15
American dog ticks are also carriers of diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia. 16 Tularemia is a severe infectious bacterial condition with symptoms that include fever, weight loss, and ulcers at the site of infection. 17 Tularemia can be fatal. 18
How to check your dog for Ticks
To check your dog for ticks, start at the head and run your fingers over their body, checking for lumps or bumps that did not previously exist. Be sure to check inside and outside of the ears and under their collar, their stomach area, under their front legs, and all-around their paws.
If you come across a tick, remove it as soon as possible using a tick key, or specifically designed implement. Call your veterinarian if you are unsure and/or need help.
Speak with your dog’s veterinary team for tick prevention information and to set up a control program that will work best for you and your dog - based on the area you live in and frequent.
Regular tick prevention and grooming are the best ways to combat both ticks and Lyme disease in dogs. Treating your dogs with a preventative will help control ticks, which can attach themselves to your dogs and be carried indoors, putting you and your family at risk of being bitten. 21 Even indoor-only pets (like cats) are at risk because ticks can ride inside via clothing or shoes. 22 There are a wide variety of tick preventives that have been proven safe and effective at controlling ticks. 23 Working with your veterinary team will help you determine which one is best for your dog(s) based on your location and needs. Ticks can hide easily under your dog’s coat, so as an added measure of protection, experts recommend checking your dog for ticks every time they come inside. 24
Ticks are becoming more prevalent in North America, and they're now found in areas where we hadn’t previously encountered ticks. Ticks aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 25 Canines often don’t show signs of Lyme disease immediately. 26 Contact your dog’s veterinary team immediately if your pet starts coughing, experiences new pain in their joints, has difficulty breathing, a fever, show muscle weakness, or has a sudden loss of energy, appetite, weight, or coordination. 27
Ticks are small but can mean big problems for both you and your dog. Luckily, with some knowledge, the help of your dog's veterinary team, and preventative measures, you can keep your dog much safer from these parasites.
1 Tick Talk Canada, https://ticktalkcanada.com/tick-facts/
2 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
3 Brockville Animal Hospital, https://brockvilleanimalhospital.net/tick-awareness-month/
4 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
5 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
6 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
7 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
8 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
9 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
10 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
11 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
12 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
13 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
14 Orkin Canada, https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/other/ticks/
15 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
16 Ibid., Orkin Canada
17 Ibid., Orkin Canada
18 Ibid., Orkin Canada
19 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
20 Ibid., Tick Talk Canada
21 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
22 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
23 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
24 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
25 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
26 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospital
27 Ibid., Brockville Animal Hospitals
Vimelea hivyo si tatizo tu; vinaweza kusababisha magonjwa mazito - na nyakati nyingine yenye kuua. Hebu majadiliano ticks. Au kuwa na mazungumzo tick, kama unataka. Usiwe na wasiwasi, mazungumzo haya ya kutu hayatahusisha hatua zozote za densi, lakini yatakuambia yote juu ya spider ambayo huishi kwa damu na inaweza kuwa shida kubwa kwa mbwa wako mpendwa. Vipepeo huhitaji damu ili waendelee kuishi. Kwa sababu hiyo, wao huchagua kuishi katika maeneo ambayo huenda yakawa na mamalia wanaoweza kuwa wenyeji. Mdudu huyo hujifunga kwenye nyasi na kungojea mhasiriwa wake mwingine asiye na shaka atembee karibu naye. Tofauti na chawa au mbu, chawa hawapigi au kuruka; badala yake, wao hupanda juu. Wao ni wakubwa kadiri gani? Inaweza kuwa vigumu kuwaona kwa kuwa kwa kawaida chui ni wadogo sana. Vipepeo wadogo hawaonekani sana, wakati vipepeo wakubwa, hasa wakati wa kufurika na damu, ni dhahiri zaidi lakini bado hufikia sentimita 0.5 tu. 1 Wakati wao si kamili ya damu, tick mtu mzima ni kuhusu 3-4 milimita. 2 Ziko wapi? Kuna aina zaidi ya 40 za vimelea nchini humo. Hata hivyo, eneo la mashariki mwa Kanada ndilo lenye idadi kubwa zaidi ya maambukizi yanayohusiana na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa. Ticks za kawaida zaidi ambazo mbwa wa Canada wanaweza kukutana nazo ni kutoka kwa Dermacentor au Ixodes, ambazo ni pamoja na Tick ya Mbwa wa Amerika (inajulikana pia kama Tick ya Mbao) na Tick ya Blacklegged (inajulikana pia kama Tick ya Deer). Kwa kawaida, vipepeo hupendelea kuishi katika maeneo yenye miti, nyasi ndefu, na majani, lakini wanaweza pia kupatikana katika maeneo ya mijini, kutia ndani mbuga na maeneo ya kijani kibichi. Vipepeo tofauti-tofauti hupenda mazingira tofauti-tofauti. Mdudu anayeitwa Blacklegged Tick hupendelea mazingira yenye unyevunyevu kama vile majani, ilhali Mdudu anayeitwa American Dog Tick hupendelea mazingira yenye ukame. Kwa sababu ya hali ya mazingira, kuna sababu nyingine inayofanya eneo la mashariki mwa Kanada liwe na vipepeo wengi: idadi ya nyati wenye mkia mweupe - mnyama anayependwa na vipepeo. Mashariki na kati ya Canada pia inashiriki mipaka na maeneo ya Amerika ya Lyme na iko ndani ya umbali wa kuruka kwa vimelea ambao wanashika safari ya bure kwenye ndege wanaohama. 8 Huenda ukaona kwamba hivi karibuni kuna habari nyingi kuhusu kuambukizwa kwa kuambukizwa kwa kuambukizwa. Hiyo ni kwa sababu idadi ya vimelea nchini Canada imeongezeka kutokana na uhamiaji wa ndege, majira ya baridi kali (shukrani kwa mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa), na ongezeko la idadi ya nyati. Wakati Ticks ni kazi zaidi Baada ya thermometer kufikia 4 ° C, ticks kuanza kutafuta mtu au mnyama kula na kuendelea mpaka joto bado chini ya 4 ° C. Vipepeo wadogo huwa na shughuli nyingi wakati wa majira ya kuchipua, lakini kwa kawaida hawawezi kuonekana wakati wa majira ya baridi kali na majira ya baridi kali, lakini vipepeo wenye miguu nyeusi huwa na shughuli nyingi wakati wa vuli. 12 Mdudu anayeitwa winter tick, ambaye hupatikana kwa kawaida kwenye nyati katika eneo la kaskazini-mashariki mwa Kanada, anaweza kuendelea kuishi katika majira ya baridi kali. 13 Je, ni hatari kadiri gani? Vipepeo hubeba bakteria na virusi vinavyoweza kusababisha magonjwa mabaya kwa wanadamu na wanyama. Ugonjwa unaojulikana sana ambao chui wanaweza kuambukiza ni ugonjwa wa Lyme. Ugonjwa wa Lyme husababisha uchovu na matatizo makubwa ya mfumo wa neva, na inaweza kusababisha kupooza kwa vifaru na kupoteza utendaji wa misuli. Zaidi ya asilimia 80 ya watu wa mashariki na kati ya Canada wanaishi katika maeneo yenye hatari kubwa ya ugonjwa wa Lyme, lakini idadi ya watu wanaojulikana kwa ugonjwa huo bado ni ndogo. Tularemia ni ugonjwa wa bakteria unaosababishwa na maambukizo na dalili zake ni kama vile homa, kupoteza uzito, na vidonda katika sehemu ya maambukizo. Tularemia inaweza kuwa mbaya sana. 18 Jinsi ya kuangalia mbwa wako kwa Ticks: Kuangalia mbwa wako kwa Ticks, kuanza katika kichwa na kukimbia vidole yako juu ya mwili wao, kuangalia kwa ajili ya makunyanzi au bumps kwamba hakuwa hapo awali. Angalia ndani na nje ya masikio, chini ya kola, chini ya tumbo, chini ya miguu ya mbele, na pande zote za miguu. Kama wewe kuja juu ya tick, kuondoa yake haraka iwezekanavyo kwa kutumia tick ufunguo, au maalum iliyoundwa kutekeleza. Piga simu kwa daktari wako wa mifugo ikiwa hauna uhakika na au unahitaji msaada. Zungumza na timu ya mifugo ya mbwa wako kwa habari ya kuzuia kuambukizwa na kuanzisha mpango wa udhibiti ambao utafanya kazi bora kwa wewe na mbwa wako - kulingana na eneo unaloishi na mara kwa mara. Kuzuia na kutunza mbwa mara kwa mara ni njia bora ya kupambana na mbwa na ugonjwa wa Lyme. Kuchukua dawa za kuzuia kutaweza kuzuia kuambukizwa kwa vimelea, ambavyo vinaweza kujifunga kwa mbwa wako na kubeba ndani ya nyumba, na kukuweka wewe na familia yako katika hatari ya kuumwa. Hata wanyama wa ndani (kama paka) wako katika hatari kwa sababu vimelea vinaweza kuingia ndani kupitia nguo au viatu. Kuna aina mbalimbali za dawa za kuzuia kuambukizwa kwa kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa na kuambukizwa. Kufanya kazi na timu yako ya mifugo itakusaidia kuamua ni ipi inayofaa zaidi kwa mbwa wako kulingana na eneo lako na mahitaji yako. Vipepeo wanaweza kujificha kwa urahisi chini ya manyoya ya mbwa wako, kwa hivyo kama hatua ya ziada ya ulinzi, wataalamu wanapendekeza kuangalia mbwa wako kwa vipepeo kila wakati wanapokuja ndani. Ticks ni kuenea zaidi katika Amerika ya Kaskazini, na sasa ni kupatikana katika maeneo ambapo hatukuwa hapo awali alikutana ticks. Vipepeo si tatizo tu; wanaweza kusababisha magonjwa mazito - na nyakati nyingine yenye kuua - kutia ndani ugonjwa wa Lyme na homa ya Rocky Mountain. 25 Mara nyingi mbwa hawaonyeshi dalili za ugonjwa wa Lyme mara moja. Wasiliana na daktari wako wa mbwa mara moja ikiwa mnyama wako anaanza kukohoa, ana maumivu mapya katika viungo, ana shida ya kupumua, homa, anaonyesha udhaifu wa misuli, au ana hasara ya ghafla ya nishati, hamu ya kula, uzito, au uratibu. Ticks ni ndogo lakini inaweza kuwa na athari kubwa kwa wewe na mbwa wako. Kwa bahati nzuri, kwa ujuzi fulani, msaada wa timu ya mifugo ya mbwa wako, na hatua za kuzuia, unaweza kumlinda mbwa wako zaidi kutoka kwa vimelea hivi. 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