Tick Fever in Dogs: How to Treat and Prevent It Effectively?
Tick Fever is a life-threatening condition caused by various tick species. This condition includes various tick-borne illnesses, spread primarily through an infected tick bite. Tick fever is not transmissible between dogs; however, an infected tick may move from one pet to another, spreading the disease between pets.
Continue reading to explore everything about Tick fever in Dogs, ranging from its symptoms to prevention tips. Let’s begin!
Understanding Tick Fever in Dogs
Tick Fever is a generalized term used for various tick-borne diseases caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites through a tick. Tick Fever is spread when an infected tick bites a dog and releases disease-causing pathogens into the dog’s bloodstream. However, ticks must stay attached to the dog’s skin for at least 24-48 hours to cause the infection. The most common diseases caused by ticks include Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc.
Let’s understand everything about Tick Fever (tick-borne diseases) in detail so that you can take proactive action in time and safeguard your canine before it gets too late.
Types of Tick-borne Diseases in Dogs
Let’s have a quick look at the tick-borne diseases caused by ticks in dogs:
Symptoms of Tick Fever
Mentioned below are the signs that dogs exhibit while suffering from Tick Fever:
✓ High fever (Up to 1050° F)
✓ Lethargy or weakness
✓ Coughing
✓ Vomiting or diarrhea
✓ Appetite loss
✓ Joint pain or inflammation
✓ Swollen lymph nodes
✓ Difficulty walking
✓ Abdominal pain
✓ Jaundice
✓ Trouble breathing
✓ Nosebleeds or bruising
✓ Dark-colored urine
✓ Severe headache
✓ Muscle aches
Tick Fever – Diagnosis & Treatment
Let’s understand how to diagnose tick fever in dogs and some easy ways to treat it effectively:
Tick Fever Diagnosis
Tick Fever can be diagnosed by a veterinarian through physical examinations and a few diagnostic tests, including blood tests (platelets, white blood cells, etc.), urine investigations and x-rays.
Treatment for Tick Fever
Once diagnosed, the veterinarian may recommend an appropriate course of treatment, including antibiotics and some supplements to boost immunity and improve platelet count. The vet may prescribe antibiotics even before the results of diagnostic testing to prevent the condition from advancing.
Tips to Prevent Tick Fever in Dogs
As it is rightly said, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure; hence, preventing tick fever is the key to keeping your pooch hale and hearty in the long run. Let’s have a glance at some easy and effective preventive tips:
- Mow your lawn regularly
- Keep an eye on the symptoms
- Check for ticks on your dog, especially after outdoor activities
- Focus on keeping your pooch well-groomed
- Maintain a clean and hygienic environment
- Stay updated with the vaccination schedule
- Consider routine veterinary check-ups
- Administer year-round tick preventives
There are various tick prevention treatments available in the market in different forms including oral, topical, collar and spray. You can choose the one that suits your pet’s lifestyle and individual preferences. Kiltix Tick Collar, Nexgard Spectra, Frontline Plus, Simparica Trio, Revolution, Advantage Multi, Bravecto and Effipro spray are some of the popular and effective treatments that you can consider. If you want to buy them at affordable prices, visit BudgetPetCare to avail the best deals with free shipping.
Final Words
Tick Fever is a serious condition that can affect your beloved companion in multiple ways; but fortunately, it can be prevented by controlling ticks, watching out for symptoms and seeking veterinary attention for early diagnosis as well as treatment. With adequate knowledge and the right approach, you can prevent tick fever and ensure the vitality and longevity of your furball in the coming years.
Happy Parenting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the first signs of tick fever in dogs?
Ans. The initial signs of tick fever in dogs include fever, tiredness, indigestion, loss of appetite, joint pain, coughing, etc.
Q2. Can tick fever be treated in dogs?
Ans. Yes, tick fever can be treated with early diagnosis, appropriate veterinary attention and the right course of antibiotics when the infestation is mild. However, prevention is the best cure, so focus on adopting preventive measures to keep your dog healthy and protected from tick fever.
Q3. How long can a dog survive tick fever?
Ans. A dog’s survival from tick fever depends on the severity of the disease and the promptness of the treatment. The symptoms start appearing within 1-2 weeks of infestation and treatment might take 2-6 weeks or longer for complete recovery.
Q4. What are the different stages of tick fever in dogs?
Ans. Tick fever in dogs occur in three different stages, the acute phase that begins within 1-3 weeks of the infestation accompanied with symptoms, the subclinical phase which lasts for 2-4 weeks with no symptoms and the chronic stage which lasts for months or even years with the disease becoming more serious and can be fatal if left attended.