Protecting a dog from ticks should be the same responsibility of the owner as vaccinating against rabies. Why? Because ticks transmit very dangerous, often fatal diseases, and even the quickest removal of a tick, they may not be prevented. So how do you protect your dog from ticks?
A dog can be protected from ticks in several ways. They are all based on the use of chemicals that act on the tick's nervous system, and differ only in the method of application. Among the anti-tick preparations for dogs we can distinguish:
- obróże
- spreje
- drops on the skin (spot-on)
- chewing tablets
Contents:
- Protecting your dog from ticks: anti-tick collars
- Protecting your dog from ticks: sprays
- Protecting your dog from ticks: drops on the skin
- Protecting your dog from ticks: tablets
Remember thatwith current weather changes, ticks can be active all year round- it is enough if the ambient temperature is higher than 5 ° C for a few days and the problem is ready.
Protecting your dog from ticks: anti-tick collars
When choosing an anti-tick collar, remember that not all of them available on the market have tick-killing properties.
Some of them only scare away ticks. That is why it is so important to buy them in clinics or veterinary offices or in specialized stores.
How are anti-tick collars used?
Anti-tick collars are designed for older puppies and adult dogs. They perform their function for 6-8 months.
The collar should be put on quite tightly so that it fits the dog- it should neither hang down nor be too tight.
Modern collars are designed in such a way that they do not threaten the dog with suffocation. A dog can bathe in such a collar, but it is better to take it off and put it on after the fur is dry.
Read:How to safely remove a tick from a dog?
Remember that tick collars do not work well on dogs with a lot of hair and undercoat.
Anti-tick collars contain active substances that act as an insecticide. They are not dangerous neither for the dog nor for the human. But,if there are children in the house, it is also safer to ensure that they do not put their hands in their mouths if they have played with the dog before.
For some owners the problem may be the intense smell emitted by the collar - then look for an odorless one.
Active substances are released from the collar micropores gradually, providing long-lasting protection. It is recommended to periodically wipe the collar with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol to unlock it.
According to an expertdr inż. Jacek Wilczak, nutrition expert in the Noteć Valley, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life SciencesHow to feed a dog that fell ill with a tick-borne disease?
Tick-borne diseases most often manifest themselves in a sudden weakening of the body and a lack of appetite. As systemic diseases, they switch off individual body functions. The basic management is pharmacological treatment and focuses on removing pathogens.
Dietary management is introduced at the beginning of the appearance of the first symptoms of he alth improvement. It mainly consists in providing an easily digestible diet with an increased content of wholesome protein.
Nutritional state, the marker of which is, inter alia, increasing serum albumin is the main factor increasing the rate of recovery.
The dog's diet, especially during the convalescence period, should include sources of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, which is a factor that stimulates erythropoiesis.
You should also remember to provide the right amount of carbohydrates, which guarantee the proper metabolic transformation of proteins and fats.
Protecting your dog from ticks: sprays
Anti-tick sprays for dogs are effective, they contain substances that act on the tick's nervous system. They are usually used for small dogs, up to 2 kg, and puppies that are too small to use any other method.
This restriction is due to the fact that it provides full protection from 4 to 10 sprays per kilogram, so with larger dogs it is very burdensome for both the pet and the owner.
Read:Tick in a dog - removal, symptoms of tick-borne diseases
Protecting your dog from ticks: drops on the skin
The anti-tick spot-on skin drops are usually on the nape of the neck and along the dog's back in several places.
Their operation is very simple - they are administered topically, but they penetrate the subcutaneous blood vessels and protect the entire surface of the dog's skin.
Active substances,contained in the anti-tick drops, they attack the tick's nervous system without harming the dog or its owner.
How are anti-tick drops applied on the skin?
- Anti-tick drops can be used on adult dogs and puppies from 10 weeks of age.
- Apply the anti-tick drops to dry skin, parting your hair - always use the entire contents of the package (pipettes).
- It is important not to bathe your dog 2-3 days before and the same number of days after applying the preparation and make sure that he does not lick the preparation.
- Remember to apply the drops regularly every 4 weeks.
It is best to buy the preparation from your vet, who will choose the amount of the preparation according to the weight of the animal - the effectiveness depends on it. If the owner buys this type of preparation himself, he should pay attention to which weight group it is intended for.
Read:Dog Lyme disease - is it curable? Diagnostics and symptoms
Protecting your dog from ticks: tablets
Anti-tick tablets are readily taken by dogs who may throw or swallow them. The active substance contained in the tablet passes from the stomach into fat and muscle tissue and into organs such as the liver and kidneys. From there, it is released, depending on the preparation, for the next several weeks.
The tablets are not crushed and are not given to dogs that suffer from digestive system diseasesand those that weigh less than 2 kg.
Some dogs may experience temporary gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhea, salivation, loss of appetite) after administration of the tablet.
Worth knowingWhat should I know about anti-tick protection?
- there is no agent that is 100% effective against tick-borne diseases - the best ones approach this limit, but do not reach it
- To provide your dog with effective protection, follow the deadlines for administering the next dose or replacing the collar - and it's best not to do it at the last minute and a few days earlier
- finding a tick on a dog does not immediately mean that the protection is ineffective - modern preparations do not always scare you away, but they always kill the tick before it becomes infected
What are the ways to get ticks?
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