Fleas can be annoying, but finding a dog tick is downright disgusting. If you find a dog tick attached to your dog's skin and sucking away at his blood, you'll want to do something about it. A dog tick can carry a variety of diseases that both you and your dog can get. And guess what? If there's a dog tick on Rover, you might find one on you as well. Better get busy and figure out how to get rid of them.

What is a Dog Tick?

The dog tick belongs to the order Acarina, an order that they share with mites, which makes the different from insects. They live in the outdoors and when it's time to feast, use heat sensors to detect warm-blooded animals passing by, which they grab or fall onto. The dog tick then wanders on the animal's body until it finds an easy place to dig in, like the ears or belly of a dog. Using its pincher-like mouthparts, the dog tick breaks the skin, and begins feeding. Anyone who has ever tried to pull one off knows, the dog tick is then locked into place by it's mouthparts until it is done feeding.

Although loss of blood through dog ticks isn't generally dangerous, what is dangerous is the diseases that a dog tick might carry. The brown dog tick and the American dog tick can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease.

Getting Rid of Dog Ticks

If you find a dog tick on poor Fido (or yourself) remove it. The best way to do this is with tweezers or a tick removal device. There is no way to get a dog tick to let go before they are finished feeding. Matches and nail polish are just "old wives tales". You'll need to carefully pull the dog tick out without leaving the head behind. Grab the dog tick as close to the head as possible and with steady pressure, slowly pull the tick out.

The best method of keeping dog ticks out of your house is to avoid areas where dog ticks breed such as tall grasses and the woods in the summer time when they are looking for a meal. However, if your dog hunts or needs to be out in the field, there some great ways to protect him from dog ticks.

Products such as K9 Advantix and Frontline are topical liquids that can be given to your dog monthly in the battle of the dog ticks (you can order these through our web site). They come in pre-measured doses which are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades. They are waterproof, so after 24 hours, your dog can also swim and bathe, but still be protected. The medication travels through the skin of your dog and will keep him free of both fleas and dog ticks for at least 30 days. You veterinarian must prescribe the medication, but it is great for your piece of mind. Of course, follow the directions and don't use the medication for anything or on another animal, like cats other than your dog

How To Get Rid of Ticks

Products and cleaning remedies for your pets, home, and yard.

Ridding the home and yard of ticks can be tricky. There are a few steps that can be used to make killing ticks easier. My husband and I lived on Guam with our babies for two and a half years. There ticks are rampant and a major problem for pet owners. Using these tips kept my babies tick free there and here in South Carolina.

There are several products out there that can be used in and around the home. Read the labels before using to make sure they are animal friendly. Most products will recommend that all animals be removed from the area before using the products.

I generally use a yard spray concentrate that comes ready with a garden hose attachment. These products contain pyrethrins as one of the active ingredients so be sure that ALL ANIMALS ARE OUT OF THE AREA BEFORE USING THESE PRODUCTS. I generally treat my back fenced yard on one day and then the front on the next. I also keep my babies out of the treated yard for at least 24 hours to ensure safety.

Using these methods have kept my babies tick free. Of course if you take your pet into an unprotected area (like the beach, camping, etc.) be sure to give him a once over before you leave the area to keep from brining any of these pests home with you.

Check with your veterinarian for their recommendations, a lot of veterinary offices will sale flea and tick area treatment sprays. If you use a product from your veterinary office your veterinarian will be more familiar with the product and be able to better inform you of any potential health risks to people and animals.

(ARA) - Playing outside with the family dog is a joy during the warm weather. Whether you're running in a park or just playing catch in your own backyard, dogs offer companionship and delight. But with tick-borne diseases on the rise, dog owners need to be vigilant about making sure an unnoticed tick doesn't make their furry family member sick. The extra effort could make the difference in keeping the whole family healthy.

More than just Lyme disease, other tick-transmitted infections are becoming an increasingly important health matter for urban and suburban dogs in all areas of the country. Tick-borne diseases are present as much in the backyard as they are in the back country.

"The range and density of several tick species in North America are expanding as a result of climactic changes, wildlife populations and conservation efforts," explains Michael Dryden, DVM, a Kansas State University professor of veterinary parasitology. "Reforestation, changes in agricultural practices and wildlife conservation efforts have contributed to an explosive growth in deer populations - a key factor in the expansion of several tick species' habitats."

As cities and towns continue expanding, animals that host ticks are coming into metro areas because they're good places for both feeding and breeding, explains Pat Smith, president of the Lyme Disease Association (LDA).

"Children, ages five to nine, are at the highest risk of acquiring Lyme disease," said Smith. "Since dogs play in some of the same areas as our children, we pet owners need to monitor our dogs' health so we can better protect our children and ourselves in the process."

Not Just Lyme

Some ticks can transit multiple diseases with one bite. This affects not only pets, but means the entire family is more susceptible - children and adults. Here are some of the most common and dangerous tick diseases that can affect your pet:

* Lyme disease is transmitted by black-legged (deer) ticks. The most common visible signs of Lyme disease infection are recurrent arthritis and lameness that lasts for three to four days, sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite and depression.

* Canine ehrlichiosis is commonly transmitted by the brown dog tick and the lone star tick. Early stage symptoms may include fever, lack of appetite, depression and weight loss.

* Canine anaplasmosis is sometimes referred to as dog fever and is transmitted by the same vector that carries Lyme disease, the black-legged (deer) tick. Disease symptoms are often arthritis-like with multiple painful joints.

Protect Your Family

Tick-borne diseases are often difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone. Accurate diagnosis requires a trip to the veterinarian. Left undetected, these diseases can leave dogs with debilitating effects.

A 2006 survey conducted for IDEXX Laboratories, a leading veterinary diagnostic company based in Westbrook, Maine, found that despite the potential debilitating effects of canine Lyme disease, only 12 percent of dog owners were concerned about their dogs contracting the disease. Furthermore, although Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states, only 41 percent of dog owners surveyed believed their dogs could become infected.

The good news is that dog owners can take a few simple steps to help protect their pets from tick-borne illnesses:

* Talk to a veterinarian about the tick-borne diseases in your specific area.
* Be aware of the common symptoms or signs of the tick-borne diseases that may be present in the area.

* Make screening for tick-borne diseases a requirement during annual exams at the vet.

* Check your dog's coat daily for ticks.

* Use a tick-prevention medication.

"While Lyme disease continues to be a concern, the fact that a growing number of dogs enter my clinic with multiple tick-borne infections adds a new wrinkle," said Matt Eberts, a veterinarian who practices in the tick-endemic area of Brainerd, Minn. "There's really no way for owners to know what's wrong with their dogs without getting their dogs checked regularly."

To learn more about tick-borne diseases and risks for dogs, visit www.dogsandticks.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Overview

A quick stroll down the lawn and garden section of your local nursery presents a world of beautiful flowers and greenery to enhance your outdoor world. But it can also reveal many potential pet hazards. If you are a pet owner, you must use caution in storing these products. Limiting your pet's access to them can help ensure both a beautiful lawn and healthy pets.

Insecticides. These are used to reduce the number of annoying and damaging insects. Some can be highly toxic to pets.

Herbicides. These are used to reduce weed growth. Generally, most are only significantly toxic if ingested from the bag. After application to the lawn, the toxicity level is reduced.

Fertilizers. These help make lush dense lawns. They are primarily toxic if large amounts are ingested. Once the lawn or garden is fertilized, toxicity levels are quite low.

Baits. Several gopher, vole, mole and other vermin baits are available. Most of these can be highly toxic since many contain strychnine, an extremely poisonous alkaloid.

Snail and slug baits. These are frequently used, and if ingested, cause serious and potentially fatal tremors and seizures.

Citronella candles. They are used to deter mosquitoes but may cause gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

Mulch. Most mulches are safe if ingested but there is one uncommon but potentially toxic type of mulch. Cacoa bean mulch is made from the hulls of cacoa beans and when fresh has a rich, chocolate aroma. Ingestion of large amounts of fresh mulch can result in chocolate toxicity. To keep your pet safe, keep him away from the mulch until the chocolate aroma has gone. A thorough watering or heavy rainfull often reduces the potential toxicity.

Many products are used to create beautiful lawns and productive gardens. With proper handling, use and storage of these products, illness and potential tragedy can be avoided. Keep lawn and garden products stored in an area that your pet cannot enter. During application of these products, keep your pet confined in a safe area. Should exposure to any of these products occur, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Be a Cool Owner: Don't Let Your Dog Overheat

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your dog and kill him in a matter of minutes. Heat stroke is a dangerous condition that takes the lives of many animals every year. Your dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 or 106 degrees, the dog is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107 degrees, your dog has entered the dangerous zone of heat stroke. With heat stroke, irreversible damage and death can occur.

Here are some cold summer facts: The temperature in a parked car can reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with partially opened windows. And any dog exercising on a hot, humid day, even with plenty of water, can become overheated. Overheating often leads to heat stroke. As a pet owner, you should know the dangers of overheating and what to do to prevent it. You should also know the signs of heat stroke and what to do if your dog exhibits those signs.

When humans overheat we are able to sweat in order to cool down. However, your dog cannot sweat as easily; he must rely on panting to cool down. Dogs breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, directing the air over the mucous membranes of the tongue, throat and trachea to facilitate cooling by evaporation of fluid. Your dog also dissipates heat by dilation of the blood vessels in the surface of the skin in the face, ears and feet. When these mechanisms are overwhelmed, hyperthermia and heat stroke usually develop.

Dogs who have a thick coat, heart and lung problems or a short muzzle are at greater risk for heat stroke. Others at risk include

What To Watch For

If your dog is overheating, he will appear sluggish and unresponsive. He may appear disorientated. The gums, tongue and conjunctiva of the eyes may be bright red and he will probably be panting hard. He may even start vomiting. Eventually he will collapse, seizure and may go into a coma.

If your dog exhibits any of these signs, treat it as an emergency and call your veterinarian immediately. On the way to your veterinary hospital, you can cool your pet with wet towels, spray with cool water from a hose or by providing ice chips for your dog to chew (providing he is conscious).

Veterinary Care

Heat related illness is typically diagnosed based on physical exam findings and a recent history that could result in overheating. Your veterinarian may perform various blood tests to assess the extent of vital organ dysfunction caused by overheating.

Intensity of treatment depends upon the cause and severity of the heat illness.

Home Care

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Check your dog's temperature rectally if you suspect heat stroke. If it is over 105 degrees F, remove your dog from the heat source immediately and call your veterinarian.

Meanwhile, place a cool, wet towel over your dog or place him in a cool bath. Do not use ice because it may cause skin injury. Spraying with water from a garden hose also works well.