Ixodid ticks in dogs and cats: what is it, signs of appearance and how to treat a pet

In the warmer months, there are many people walking dogs in parks and forest belts. Long walks in nature like both the owner and the pet. But with all the benefits of fresh air, animals on the street face danger - these are ixodid ticks. The bite of such a parasite can provoke a number of dangerous diseases, many of which lead to rapid death of the dog.

What are ixodid ticks

The name of the parasites is derived from the Latin word ixodes, which literally means “non-sticky” or “sticky”.

Ixodid ticks are ubiquitous. These are arachnid insects having a drop-shaped body shape, 8 tenacious paws and a round head with a proboscis.

The parasite can be painted in a dark gray or black shade. As it becomes saturated, its body becomes brighter.

Throughout its development, the parasite goes through 4 life stages:

1. Egg. A sexually mature female lays it after it is fertilized by the male.
2. Larva. Such a small parasite is saturated due to the blood of birds and small animals. As he develops, he prepares to leave the temporary donor.
3. Nymph. This is a fully formed insect that has not yet reached puberty. It differs from an adult only in the number of paws, while there are only six of them. Such a parasite is already sufficiently developed to attack large mammals and even humans.
4. Adult tick.This insect can parasitize on the body of people and animals for up to 10 days, and then leaves its prey and falls to the ground. If it is a fertilized female, egg-laying is followed by saturation.

Due to its physiological characteristics, the parasite is not able to rise higher than 1 m from the ground. Being outside the victim’s body, he lives in the grass and on the bushes, where he expects the appearance of an object for attack. However, there are cases when these insects appeared on trees, although this is very rare.

The parasite does not differ in constancy and can replace 3–4 donors during life. Moreover, it is quite tenacious, the optimal temperature for its comfortable existence and active reproduction is an indicator of 20 to 30 degrees.

Why is such a tick dangerous for an animal

Nowadays, even children know what a tick is dangerous for humans. The saliva of this blood-sucking parasite contains pathogenic organisms that can cause encephalitis. However, animals in this “human” manifestation do not suffer from this disease, but for them the attack of such insects can also be associated with a number of negative consequences.

In the best case, ixodid ticks in dogs cause skin manifestations of an allergic nature, as well as suppuration in the bite area. But if an infected parasite attacks the animal, due to the penetration of its saliva into the blood of the victim, the latter may develop pyroplasmosis.

This is a dangerous disease that has other names - canine babesiosis, or canine encephalitis. Such a violation affects the central nervous system and, in the absence of competent therapy, quickly leads to the death of an individual. Moreover, the tick itself does not suffer from such an ailment, but only is a carrier.

On a note. These parasites are not only dangerous for dogs. Ixodid ticks are also found in cats, and they can also parasitize on the human body.

But still, dogs remain at high risk. And only animals that have reached the age of four, or "hereditary" mutts have relative immunity to diseases that are transmitted with the bites of bloodsuckers.

Signs of Appearance in Dogs and Cats

The animal begins to feel discomfort after a tick bite after a couple of hours.

Note that something is wrong with the dog or cat, according to the following criteria:

• the individual is constantly worried, shakes his head and itches;
• the pet eats little or refuses food at all;
• the animal loses its vitality and spends most of its time lying down.

When examining the skin, you can notice edema and redness at the site of the bite. And also this area is much warmer to the touch than the rest of the body. If the tick was not noticed and removed within 48 hours, a rather large seal appears on the affected area.

Symptoms of bite-caused pyroplasmosis

If the causative agent of pyroplasmosis has entered the animal’s blood along with the saliva of the parasite, the symptoms appear quite quickly. The incubation period of this disease is from 2 to 14 days, in rare cases, it can last longer.

A dangerous ailment is characterized by such signs:

1. Fever. Hyperthermia appears already on the second day after infection and keeps on indicators exceeding 40 degrees. If timely treatment is not received, it remains so until the death.
2. Rapid breathing and pulse. The latter is felt poorly and has a threadlike character.
3. Refusal of food. A dog or cat does not even respond to treats that were previously loved by her.
4. Apathy. The animal practically does not move, there is lethargy and drowsiness, which are replaced by anxiety caused by itching in the affected areas. In addition, the pet tries to stay away from the owners.
5. Vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms occur about a day after the temperature rises. In this case, the color of feces changes and becomes bright yellow or greenish.In these secretions, as well as in vomiting, there are mucous and blood blotches.
6. Discoloration of the mucous membranes. The eyelids, lips and oral cavity first turn bright red, and then turn pale, becoming a yellowish or gray shade.
7. Shaky gait. This symptom is characteristic for the second - third day of the disease. The animal moves reluctantly and strangely, due to weakness in the hind legs.
8. Discoloration of urine. This occurs 3 to 5 days after infection. The discharge darkens and becomes thicker. Such a symptom indicates that irreversible processes began in the body of the animal.
9. Complete paralysis. This happens if the dog or cat has not received proper treatment for a week after a parasite bite. Unfortunately, at this stage it is no longer possible to help the pet, and his death will inevitably follow.

Attention! When infected with pyroplasmosis, an animal can be saved only if timely assistance was provided to it. When measures are taken on time, there is every chance of a complete recovery of the pet after the disease.

Is it possible to extract the tick yourself

If a tick is detected in an animal, it is better if the veterinarian removes the parasite. But it is not always possible to seek professional help, and you have to act on your own.

To remove the tick, do the following:

1. Carefully push the hair over the affected area, then lubricate the skin with alcohol.
2. Wait a few minutes. It is necessary that, under the influence of a chemical substance, the parasite loosens its “grip” a little.
3. Grab the body of the tick with tweezers or fingers, holding them at a slight angle.
4. Remove the bloodsucker from the pet’s body with rotational movements. In some cases, it is required to slightly cut the skin of the animal with a scalpel or knife, burning with a fire, and then pull out the parasite and clean the wound from the legs and trunk.
5. Treat the site of the lesion with iodine, repeating this procedure over the next three days several times a day.
6. If possible, it is better to take the parasite to the laboratory, so that specialists check it for the presence of pathogens of dangerous diseases.

Important! Even if the tick was removed on its own, it is still worth showing the dog to the veterinarian in the coming days. Perhaps some parts of the body of the parasite remained in the wound, which can cause infection.

How to treat a pet at home

If the dog is still infected with pyroplasmosis, treatment is carried out in the following areas:

1. Destruction of pathogens. Used drugs that can neutralize pathogenic microflora. These include "Azidine", "Pirosan", "Berenil" and others.
2. Maintenance therapy Such treatment involves the use of immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors, drugs that protect the heart, as well as saline solutions and vitamin complexes.
3. Forced diuresis. Such methods are resorted to in cases where the disease passes against the background of complications.
4. Blood purification. Methods such as hemosorption and plasmapheresis have been used relatively recently. Their essence lies in the fact that the blood substance is cleansed without a load on the liver, which is especially important in the presence of complications.

In addition, it is important for the owners to monitor the diet of the pet. This will help to avoid additional burden on the digestive organs, which will significantly delay recovery.

First of all, it should be noted that it is not worthwhile to feed the animal by force. When the dog’s forced hunger strike has dragged on, you can go to the veterinarian who will prescribe droppers with nutrient solutions.

If the animal’s appetite has not disappeared at all, giving him food is in small portions.

The diet of a sick pet should consist of such products:

• low-fat varieties of meat, mashed to a state of puree;
• viscous cereals;
• canned food diluted with hot water.

On such a diet, the animal must be kept for at least a month.And after recovery should be tested additionally. This will ensure that the danger has passed.

What absolutely can not be done by detecting a tick

As mentioned above, it is better not to pull out the tick yourself. But if there is no other way, only alcohol can be used to lubricate the skin of the pet.

There is a common misconception that under the influence of more caustic solutions, such as gasoline, nail polish or acetone, the bloodsucker will leave the victim’s body on its own. This is not true. Not only the listed liquids, but also ordinary oil can lead to the fact that the tick, sensing danger, will eject toxins, which immediately penetrate the dog’s blood. Such substances are very likely to cause extensive infection.

In addition, you can not pierce the body of a bloodsucker with a needle. This will also lead to the result described above. And since toxic substances contained in tick excretions can be dangerous for humans, it is impossible to carry out the extraction procedure without gloves. If there is even a small wound on the skin, it can serve as a “gateway” for infection.

Do not try to treat the animal yourself if, after a tick bite, there are signs of a health problem.

How to protect animals from parasites

In specialized stores you can find a number of means to protect against ixodid ticks of pets. They are presented in the form of collars, sprays, drops and other forms. In addition, it is possible to protect the animal by vaccination against pyroplasmosis. The vaccine will help prevent the disease if the pet is bitten by an infected tick.

In order to take timely measures and not miss the onset of the disease, it is worth examining the body of the pet after each walk. Particular attention should be paid to the muzzle, ears, neck and stomach, as well as the inguinal and femoral areas. The sooner a dangerous insect is discovered and removed, the less harm it will bring to the animal.

In conclusion, we cannot help but recall the well-known statement that we are responsible for those we tamed. When getting a pet, you should be aware that you will need to monitor its health regularly and not ignore the alarming signs of ill-being, but take action immediately.