5 Common Signs of Tick Disease in Dogs

While ticks are active year-round in parts of Oregon, they thrive during our temperate summers. When you find a tick on your pet, dead or alive, it’s normal to worry! Ticks aren’t just a nuisance, they’re disease carriers that can cause serious illnesses. Luckily, knowing the signs of tick disease can help you catch problems early to give your pet the best care possible. 

Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Oregon

Ticks are arthropods who feed on the blood of humans, other mammals, and some reptiles. According to Oregon State University, Oregon is home to over 20 species of ticks. Luckily, only a few of these species feed on people and pets. Ticks to have on your radar are:

• The American dog tick
• The Pacific Coast tick
• The Rocky Mountain wood tick
• The western black-legged tick

While tick disease has historically been rare in Oregon, new data from the CDC shows that we’re already facing our worst tick season since 2017. This increase in tick activity doesn’t only affect our pets. Human hospitalizations and rates of illness are also on the rise. 

The most common tick diseases affecting Oregon dogs include: 

• Lyme Disease
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Anaplasmosis
• Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever

For more in-depth information on these diseases and their symptoms, check out our blog: Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs: Symptoms and Prevention.

5 Signs of Tick Disease in Dogs

It only takes one bite from an infected tick to potentially spread disease. While the specific process and impact of each tick-borne disease varies, they often exhibit very similar symptoms. Importantly, because symptoms can take days or even weeks to manifest, it’s important to monitor your pet closely for up to 5 months after a tick encounter.

Once symptoms develop, they can progress rapidly! If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a tick, seek medical care as soon as possible!

#1: Fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite

Fatigue and fever are common signs of your dog’s immune system fighting off tick-borne infection. Widespread, systemic inflammation can affect your dog’s appetite and lead to anorexia and weight loss. These symptoms typically manifest within 2-5 days of a tick bite, and can be your earliest warning sign that something’s wrong. 

#2: Sudden onset lameness, limping, or swollen joints

Tick disease can trigger severe inflammation and pain in the joints. In fact, a classic sign of Lyme disease is lameness that shifts from one leg to another, sometimes disappearing altogether and recurring later. Dogs with tick disease symptoms may have a stiff gait, have trouble standing after lying down, and have lameness that comes and goes. 

#3: Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Some tick-borne diseases attack the blood cells and prevent the body from producing enough platelets. Low platelet count increases the risk of circulatory issues and internal bleeding. Affected dogs may have nosebleeds, dark bruises on the belly and/or legs, and pale gums from blood loss. 
 
#4: Vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors

Certain tick diseases target dogs’ white blood cells. As the disease spreads, it can directly impact gut and nervous system function. Inflammation in the intestines causes nausea, vomiting, and loose stools. As the disease progresses to the nervous system, you’ll see neurologic signs like tremors, stumbling, shaking, or collapse. These are symptoms of advanced tick disease that require immediate intervention! Left untreated, these symptoms continue to progress and can cause permanent organ damage or even be fatal. 

#5: Seizures and collapse

Late stage tick disease can attack the brain and spinal cord. For example, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and late-stage ehrlichiosis often cause brain swelling, which cuts off oxygen to nerve tissue. This can lead to confusion, seizures, and sudden neurologic decline. 

Tick Disease: Prevention Is The Best Medicine

Year-round tick preventatives can greatly reduce your pet’s risk of tick-borne diseases. It generally takes 24-48 hours for an infected tick to transmit disease. Preventatives work by killing or repelling ticks before they can spread disease. 

Our recommendations for monthly preventatives include: 

• Simparica Trio: An all-in-one preventative that protects dogs against heartworm disease, five types of ticks, fleas, roundworms, and hookworms. Just like Simparica, this medication is a flavored chewable tablet administered once a month.
  
  
• Nexgard: A tasty, beef-flavored chew that kills and protects against fleas and ticks. Nexgard is approved to prevent infections that cause Lyme disease and can be taken alongside heartworm medication.

In addition to a monthly preventative, tick checks after outdoor activity can help prevent disease transmission. For more information on how to check your dog for ticks, check out our recent blog: I Found a Tick On My Dog! Now What?!

When In Doubt, Get In Touch

Many tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care when caught early. If you find a tick on your dog or notice any of the above symptoms, give us a call! Our veterinary team can help assess your dog’s symptoms and recommend the best diagnostics to get your pet the treatment they need. 

Need a refill on your pet’s monthly tick preventative? You can order your vet-prescribed medications through our convenient online pharmacy partner. Please note: your dog must have an up-to-date physical exam (within the last year) and current prescription to order.