Ticks in dogs - How to protect your dog properly

Especially in spring, when the climate becomes milder, many dog owners think about tick prophylaxis again. It is a widespread misconception that now is the "tick season". As, due to climate change and the emergence of different tick species, the risk of a tick bite exists almost all year round. Seasonally, the parasites are naturally more active in spring, summer and autumn than in winter. The recommendation is now to protect your four-legged friend from February to November with the help of suitable means to prevent the transmission of diseases.

Tick bites are usually inconspicuous and often go undetected due to the dense coat of a dog's fur. This is dangerous because they can transmit a variety of dangerous diseases that can cause serious consequential damage or lead to death of the dog if not treated. Lyme disease, TBE and ehrlichiosis are now well-known diseases transmitted by ticks. However, due to climate change, foreign tick species are increasingly arriving in Central European regions. Babesiosis, for example, which is transmitted by the alluvial tick, was originally a foreign disease. Now, this tick species, and thus also the disease, is increasingly coming to us. No matter which of the diseases it is, the first symptoms are often non-specific. Therefore, it is difficult for laypeople to associate the symptoms with a tick bite. 

Lyme disease can be transmitted to both humans and dogs. It is the most common disease transmitted by ticks in Germany. Not all ticks carry Lyme disease-transmitting bacteria and thus pose a risk of infection. However, if an infected tick bites, it transmits the Borrelia bacteria to the host via its saliva approximately 16-24 hours later. In humans, there is often redness around the sting site, but this is absent in dogs and makes detection even more difficult. Non-specific symptoms that occur weeks or even months after the tick bite are:

• Fatigue / apathy
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Painful and swollen joints

In the long term, Lyme disease in dogs can lead to chronic inflammation of the joints, resulting in variable lameness.

To avoid this, you should consult your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has Lyme disease. A Borrelia antibody test is carried out by taking a blood sample to determine whether your four-legged friend has already had contact with Borrelia. In combination with the symptoms mentioned above, this is a pretty clear indication of Lyme disease. If the diagnosis is made promptly, the vet can begin therapy, which usually involves the use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Less common, but no less dangerous, is tick-borne encephalitis, or TBE for short. Fortunately, far fewer ticks carry the pathogen. The viral disease is also transmitted via the tick saliva. However, transmission is immediate, so prompt removal is not sufficient to protect the dog from TBE. Dogs are less likely to contract TBE than humans because they often develop antibodies against the virus. If an infection with an acute course of the disease does nevertheless occur, it usually becomes noticeable through the following symptoms:

• Fever over 40°C 
• Paralysis of the limbs
• Wobbly gait
• Increased painfulness (especially in the neck and head area)
• Behavioural changes (aggressiveness and apathy)
• Seizures 

A clear diagnosis of TBE requires complicated examinations by the vet, as a mere blood test for antibodies is not a sufficient indication. The therapy is also very complex and unfortunately only leads to a cure in rare cases. Therefore, the right prophylaxis to protect the dog from the disease is enormously important.

The pathogens of ehrlichiosis, which is one of the Mediterranean diseases, are also transmitted via the saliva of infected ticks. Originally, the brown dog tick, which is considered a vector, was only found in the regions around the Mediterranean. Through travel, however, it was also carried to more northern areas, such as certain parts of Germany. The bacteria are transmitted to the dog within the first three hours and infect the white blood cells. After about 1-3 weeks, the first symptoms can be seen as follows:

• Fever
• Weakness, fatigue and apathy
• Lymph node swelling
• Small skin or mucous membrane bleeding e.g. in nose and mouth
• Vomiting (sometimes)
• Breathing problems
• Reddened conjunctivae

As the disease is often not recognised at this stage, the symptoms subside and the dog appears healthy again. Now it depends on whether the ehrlichiosis heals spontaneously or becomes chronic. In chronic ehrlichiosis, which can start after weeks or months, there are further non-specific and unrelated symptoms. Diagnosis is made by special laboratory tests using DNA or antibodies or by detecting infected white blood cells. Similar to Lyme disease, the vet tries to prevent the bacteria from multiplying by treating it with antibiotics. If the dog is already chronically ill with ehrlichiosis or infected with other Mediterranean diseases at the same time, the chances of recovery are unfortunately low.

Natural remedies for tick prophylaxis are often recommended, which are also said to be more tolerable for your beloved four-legged friend. However, the effect of these remedies varies from animal to animal. With natural preparations, regular intake is very important so that they can provide protection. Kown natural remedies are:

• Coconut oil and black cumin oil 
• Preparations based on yeast and B vitamins (frequent daily intake required)
• Herbal drops (daily application)

Collars such as amber collars or badges made of certain materials are also advertised as repelling ticks. However, the effect of such accessories is controversial.

Looking for the answer to the question “What is best?” against ticks on dogs?” you now also come across snacks or anti-tick treats with ingredients to help repel ticks. Various agents are added to these anti-tick treats, which are then absorbed by rewarding the dog during training or in everyday life. This is extremely practical and easy to use, as you don't have to give your dog a tablet that he may not like, or apply a spot-on or a natural single agent such as coconut oil, which limits daily interaction, such as petting . However, the effectiveness of the snacks and treats or the agents added to the snacks or treats varies from animal to animal.

But you should also pay attention to the composition of snacks or treats against ticks if you value natural ingredients that are good for your dog. Plant-based active ingredients such as coconut oil, black cumin oil and cistus herb are natural alternatives to chemical additives.

Chemical preparations

Natural remedies