Ticks are more than an unpleasant find in your dog's coat - they transmit serious, sometimes fatal diseases. In dogs the biggest threat is babesiosis, which destroys red blood cells and can rapidly lead to organ failure. Borreliosis (Lyme disease) and anaplasmosis are also carried by ticks.
When ticks are active
Risk peaks in spring and autumn, but ticks are active whenever the temperature rises a few degrees above zero - in mild winters, almost year-round. In practice this means protection for most of the year, applied regularly rather than once.
Effective protection
- spot-ons, collars or tablets - chosen for the species and body weight,
- regularity is key; the product only works for its stated period,
- never use dog products on cats - some are toxic to them,
- check the coat after every walk: armpits, ears, muzzle and between the toes.
What to do after a bite
Remove the tick as quickly as possible - the shorter it feeds, the lower the infection risk. Grip it right at the skin (with tweezers or a tick hook) and pull it out with a steady, straight motion - no twisting, squeezing, or smearing with grease. Note the date and watch your dog over the following days.
Warning signs - act fast
Lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and dark urine after a tick bite are signals for an urgent visit - babesiosis develops very quickly, and prompt treatment saves lives. Common myths worth dropping: ticks live only in forests (they thrive in city parks and gardens) and "a vaccine covers everything" (no vaccine replaces regular tick prevention). We will match a protection plan to your dog's lifestyle at MultiVet in Lutynia near Wrocław as part of our preventive care.