Preventing and treating ticks in dogs

Tick risk for dogs – as temperatures rise, so does the risk

As soon as the weather warms up, tick season begins. In Germany, the common wood tick is particularly widespread; it tends to inhabit forest edges, open woodlands, or areas near bodies of water. However, these parasites are now just as common in private gardens and public parks. They lurk in the grass, among shrubs, or in low-lying vegetation, and from there they latch onto passing hosts. In addition to wildlife, this also affects dogs and people out for walks.

Warm and humid weather significantly promotes tick activity—ticks are particularly active after mild rain showers. Although they are more sensitive to cold, they still survive the winter months without difficulty by hiding under leaves or a layer of snow. Contrary to the common assumption that frost destroys the population, ticks survive the winter easily under layers of leaves. A blanket of snow even acts as an insulating layer against extreme sub-freezing temperatures. Temperatures of around 7 °C are sufficient for ticks to continue their life cycle.

What diseases can ticks transmit to dogs?

A tick bite can have serious health consequences for dogs. The most common tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and TBE.

Lyme disease: This is caused by Borrelia bacteria, which are transmitted by the common wood tick. Early signs of infection often include fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, joint inflammation and damage to internal organs may occur.

Babesiosis (piroplasmosis): This disease is caused by single-celled parasites—Babesia. The primary vectors are the brown dog tick and the spotted or wood tick. The pathogens attack red blood cells, leading to anemia. Typical symptoms include fever, jaundice, and occasionally inflammation around the eyes.

Ehrlichiosis (Rickettsiosis): This disease is caused by bacteria from the Ehrlichia group, which are primarily transmitted by the brown dog tick. They infect certain immune cells in the body known as monocytes. The disease initially presents with high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy. As the disease progresses, weight loss and an increased tendency to bleed may develop.

TBE (Tick-borne Encephalitis): The viruses that cause the disease are transmitted to humans primarily by the common wood tick. Dogs rarely contract the disease. If an infection does occur, symptoms usually include fever, weakness, and impaired movement.

How does a tick get onto a dog, and how does it attach itself?

Contrary to a common misconception, ticks do not drop onto their host from trees. Instead, they sit in low vegetation and wait to be brushed off as the dog passes by. During a walk, the dog thus picks up these parasites from grass or bushes without noticing. Since many dogs walk with their heads down, sniffing as they go, ticks are particularly common on the head, neck, and shoulders. These areas should therefore be carefully checked after every outing.

Once the tick has found a suitable spot, it uses its scissor-like mouthparts to pierce the skin, then anchors its proboscis in the resulting small wound and injects saliva.

This serves several purposes:

• It contains substances that inhibit blood clotting, thereby ensuring a continuous flow of blood.
• A sticky substance ensures that the mouthparts remain firmly embedded in the skin—even vigorous shaking will not help the dog at this point.
• In addition, the saliva has a local anesthetic effect, so the bite usually goes unnoticed.
• Anti-inflammatory components dampen the immune response at the bite site, allowing the tick to feed on blood for several days until it detaches on its own.

Is there a vaccine against ticks?

The question of whether there is a vaccine against ticks comes up time and again. However, there is no vaccine against the parasite itself. Vaccines are available only for certain tick-borne diseases—such as Lyme disease. Whether such a measure is advisable should be discussed individually with your veterinarian.

Increasingly detected since 2015: The tropical tick species Hyalomma

In Germany, ticks of the species Hyalomma are being discovered with increasing frequency, particularly Hyalomma marginatum and Hyalomma rufipes. There is no common German name for them yet. Their spread is being scientifically monitored by the University of Hohenheim, among others.

Experts believe that the ticks were introduced via migratory birds. They were particularly prevalent in humans and animals during the hot summer of 2018. Specimens are still being found regularly today. It is not yet clear whether these species will become permanently established in Germany.

Their appearance is striking: The Hyalomma tick is significantly larger than native species and has characteristic brown-and-yellow striped legs. It can be 5–8 mm in size and grow significantly larger after feeding. Its behavior also differs markedly. While native ticks usually remain passive in the grass, the Hyalomma actively searches for a host.

For example, it lies in wait in holes in the ground and reacts to ground vibrations. It can detect warm-blooded animals such as dogs, horses, or humans from a distance of up to ten meters—using its vision and chemical cues. It is then able to pursue a potential victim over several meters. Additionally, these species are considered potential carriers of dangerous diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

What to do after a tick bite

If a tick is detected and removed early, the risk of pathogens entering the dog’s bloodstream is reduced. However, checking for ticks is more time-consuming, especially with long-haired dogs, as the parasites can easily hide in thick fur.

Home remedies like oil or glue are ineffective and should never be used. The assumption that this will cause the tick to suffocate is misleading—this process takes too long, and potential pathogens can still be transmitted.

Instead, the tick should be removed mechanically as quickly as possible. A special tick remover, tick card, or tweezers is best suited for this. The tool should be placed as close to the skin as possible to carefully pull the tick out completely with a gentle tug—if necessary, using a gentle twisting motion.

Can dogs develop an allergic reaction to ticks?

Yes, an allergic reaction to a tick bite is possible. The trigger is usually a component of the tick’s saliva, particularly the anticoagulant. In milder cases, only local inflammation at the bite site is observed—similar to what happens in humans.

Sometimes this leads to weeping or pus-filled skin lesions that later form scabs. It can take several weeks for the area to heal completely. Mild swelling after the tick is removed is not unusual. However, if the swelling persists and is accompanied by significant redness and severe itching, this may indicate an allergic reaction.

Some itching is also considered a normal side effect. An allergic reaction often causes severe itching, causing dogs to scratch or lick the affected area intensely, which can even lead to hair loss.

In cases of severe allergic reactions, the following symptoms may also occur:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomitting
• Diarrhea
• Skin changes, even outside the injection site
• Swelling of the mucous membranes
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, possibly accompanied by a runny nose
• Chills

In rare but serious cases, loss of consciousness or anaphylactic shock may occur. Another known condition is so-called “tick paralysis.” In this condition, certain reactions to tick saliva cause impairment of the nerves and muscles. This can lead to symptoms of paralysis that are either localized or—if the respiratory muscles or heart are affected—can become life-threatening.

If an allergic reaction is suspected following a tick bite, veterinary advice should be sought immediately.

Expert tip:

It is crucial to detect and remove ticks as early as possible—this significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission. For dogs with short coats, it can be helpful to wipe their fur with a light-colored, preferably white, wet wipe after a walk. The dark parasites stick to it clearly, allowing them to be immediately removed with the wipe and disposed of.

Tick protection for dogs – effective prevention

Every year, dog owners ask themselves the same question: What’s the best way to protect my dog from tick bites? There are now a wide variety of options available, ranging from chemical products to natural remedies. For those who prefer to avoid synthetic ingredients, there are various alternative strategies for tick prevention among natural products.

Natural ingredients such as garlic or black cumin oil can help alter the dog’s skin environment so that it appears less attractive to ticks. The essential compounds they contain are released through the skin and can have a repellent effect. Such natural substances offer a valuable way to support your dog, either as a supplement or as a gentle alternative. Feeding CANIPUR-knobletten harnesses these natural properties in a dosage safe for dogs, thereby providing herbal protection against parasites.

A brief overview: Ticks on dogs

• Ticks are active at temperatures as low as about 7 °C
• They are particularly active in warm, humid weather
• Commonly found in forests, tall grass, bushes, parks, and gardens
• Ticks do not fall from trees
• They hide in low vegetation and are brushed off when a dog walks by
• Common areas affected in dogs:
  • Head
  • Neck
  • Shoulder area
  • Ears
• Ticks can transmit diseases:
• Lyme disease
• Babesiosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• TBE
• Possible symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Joint problems
  • Anemia
  • Jaundice
  • Movement disorders
• Remove ticks as quickly as possible
• The following tools are suitable:
  • Tick tweezers
  • Tick removal card
  • Tweezers
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out carefully
• Do not use oil or glue
• Check your dog for ticks after every walk
• Be especially thorough with long-haired dogs
• Tip:
  • Wipe the fur with a white wet wipe
  • This makes small ticks easier to see
• Normal reactions:
  • Mild swelling
  • Mild itching
• Warning signs:
  • Severe redness
  • Severe itching
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Swelling
  • Weakness
  • Paralysis
• If symptoms are severe, take your pet to the vet immediately
• Prevention options:
  • Spot-on treatments
  • Tick collars
  • Tablets
  • Natural remedies
• Natural support:
  • Black cumin oil
  • Garlic products in appropriate doses
• There is no vaccine specifically for tick bites
• Vaccines are available only for certain diseases, such as Lyme disease
• Hyalomma ticks:
  • significantly larger
  • brown-and-yellow striped legs
  • actively seek out hosts
  • have now been detected in Germany as well