Ticks are the vampire-like bugs that feed on the blood of their host. As long as dogs have been running around in nature, ticks have been latching onto them in the hopes of a meal. There are two types of ticks: Argasidae (soft ticks) and Ixodidae (hard ticks), and roughly 15 species of ticks that can be found in America. However, of those ticks, only a few tend to come in contact with dogs.
Brown Dog Tick
Brown dog ticks exist most warm places in the United States, and are brown or reddish in color about 1/8 of an inch long. They usually can be found near a dog’s ears or toes, and live comfortably indoors. The brown dog tick is also known as the “kennel tick” since they tend to hide in dark corners in dog houses, in cracks, or under rugs and furniture. After a tick has had her fill, she will find a dark place inside to lay her eggs (up to 3,000). Therefore it is imperative to find ticks quickly and remove them before they can begin nesting.
American Dog Tick
This type of tick will latch onto larger animals as well as humans, but will not inhabit homes. Adult male American dog ticks turn a brown color, and are about 1/8 of an inch long before they have been fed. Female ticks are grayish, and can grow up to half an inch in size when they are fully engorged. These ticks are found in most states in the US, most commonly in the southern, and coastal regions where the weather is more humid. They tend to bite more frequently in the spring time, and can lay up to 6000 eggs before they die. American dog ticks can survive over a year without a host when they are larvae, and up to 2 years when they are adults. American dog ticks are drawn to hosts through their scent, and often latch onto them by waiting on grassy trails, roads, or park areas. Consequently, dogs and dog owners ought to take care when walking in nature and going to parks.
Lone Star Tick
These ticks are larger in size (1/3 of an inch) and are brown/tannish with silver spots on their backs. They usually populate wooded areas or regions heavy in brush/bushes, near rivers and creek beds. The key feeding times for these ticks are from March-May, and again in July and August. Though the lone star tick larvae will feed on smaller animals, adult ticks target larger animals, meaning your dog is a target!
Deer Tick
The Deer tick, or blacklegged tick is similar to the American dog tick, in that it will use humans and larger animals (such as deer) as a host. Adult deer ticks are brownish colored and are half the size of American dog ticks, though like other ticks, they expand during feedings. They are usually found resting in forest areas or along hiking trails and walking paths, and are most active during the spring and autumn months. Deer ticks pose a threat both to dogs and humans in that they can transmit Lyme disease among other diseases.
What are the dangers?
Ticks can cause anything from paralysis (from toxins excreted by female ticks as they feed), joint soreness and swelling, fever, lameness, and in rare cases, anemia. Two of the primary diseases often caused by tick bite are Lyme’s disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Both of these diseases can be caught be humans who have also be bitten by a tick, but are not transmitted from dog to human. After an encounter with a tick, be sure to see a veterinarian to find out if your dog has been infected.
