Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs: Symptoms & Prevention

Tick season is officially in full swing! This year, we’re already seeing increased numbers of dogs with risky tick exposures. Protect your favorite adventure buddy this summer by learning more about how to prevent and recognize tick-borne diseases in dogs. 

Risk Of Ticks in Oregon

Ticks are cold-blooded parasites that can’t maintain a constant body temperature. As a result, they thrive in warm, humid environments. In the past, cold Oregon winters limited tick activity for at least part of the year. However, we’ve seen a surge in year-round tick activity with longer, hotter summers and milder winters. 
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 
  
  

The most common habitats for ticks in Oregon include areas with dense vegetation, moisture, and plenty of wildlife. This includes: 

• Dense, wooded forests where ticks can lurk in underbrush
• Shrublands and grasslands with tall grasses and thick shrubs
• Parks, gardens, and yards with plenty of leaf litter
  
  

Understanding Tick Bites

Unlike other biting parasites, ticks don’t fly or jump. Instead, they use a behavior called “questing” to locate a host. When a tick is ready to feed, it crawls to the tips of grass or vegetation and extends its front legs. When a host brushes against its hiding spot, the tick hurriedly grabs onto the host with its extended legs. 

Once they’ve landed on a host, ticks burrow down through the fur to a preferred attachment site. This tends to be somewhere with thinner skin where the host is less likely to notice them. For dogs, that could be under the armpits, in the groin area, or around the ears. 

Instead of biting and leaving, ticks latch onto their host and feed for three to six days. This is called “taking a blood meal.” Once the tick has taken a full blood meal, it will fall off. Rarely, ticks may stay latched for longer periods, sometimes up to two weeks. 

Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Tick-borne diseases spread to dogs when an infected tick bites them. Conditions resulting from a tick bite can be serious and even fatal, often causing long-term damage and consequences. The most common tick-borne diseases contracted by dogs in Oregon include: 

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s transmitted by the western black-legged tick, AKA deer ticks. Diagnosing Lyme disease can prove tricky since clinical signs can occur 2-5 months (or even longer!) after the initial tick bite. The most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs are: 

• Lameness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Joint swelling
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
  
  

In addition, serious kidney complications have been associated with Lyme disease in dogs.

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis, transmitted by the western black-legged tick, is also known as “dog tick fever.” Diagnosis can be difficult because infected dogs often present with vague symptoms. These might include: 

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Neurological signs

​
In severe cases, it can lead to bleeding disorders or seizures. 

Canine Ehrlichiosis

This tick-borne disease is found around the world. It’s most commonly transmitted by the brown dog tick, lone star tick, and American dog tick. Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia canis, a bacteria that infects and lives within the host’s white blood cells. Symptoms include: 

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Bleeding disorders
• Eye issues such as uveitis

Chronic untreated ehrlichiosis can lead to severe complications, including bone marrow suppression. 

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

Carried by the mountain wood tick and American dog tick, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria. RMSF is widespread throughout the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the eastern United States, as well as in parts of Canada. Dogs that run, play, and hike in wooded areas are most likely to be exposed to ticks infected with RMSF. 

Symptoms include: 

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Joint pain
• Neurological signs, such as tremors and seizures 

It can also cause vascular damage leading to bleeding and organ failure in severe cases. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent these serious complications. 

Babesiosis

Primarily spread by the brown dog tick, babesiosis invades the host’s red blood cells. Most cases occur in the southern United States. Still, incidents have been steadily increasing in other areas of the US and Canada. Symptoms include: 

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Dark urine
• Pale gums
• Jaundice
• Anemia
  

Severe cases can lead to organ failure due to the destruction of red blood cells. Some dogs may need supportive care like blood transfusions. 

Preventing Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Most tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care if caught early. That’s why we recommend checking for ticks after each walk, hike, or camping trip. 

A tick check includes running your fingers over your dog’s entire body, going against the coat. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach spots like under the collar and chin, between the toes, inside the ears, under the armpits, and the insides of the thighs. During the check, you’re feeling for small bumps, swollen areas, and black, brown, or grayish-brown bugs. 

Don’t forget to check yourself! Many ticks will also feed from (and might infect) human hosts. 

How to Remove a Tick

Removing ticks quickly is important, but it also needs to be done right. The faster the tick is removed or killed, the less likely diseases will be transmitted. When you remove a tick, never squeeze the body or remove in such a way that the head remains attached. Instead, take a clean pair of tweezers or a tick remover as close to the skin as possible without pinching. If you’re using tweezers, pull out in a straight and steady motion without jerking. 

If you’re worried about removing ticks yourself, we can help! The team at Mountainside Veterinary Hospital has already been hard at work this season safely and effectively removing ticks from our canine patients. 

After removal, take a clear picture or keep the tick’s body in isopropyl alcohol. If your dog starts showing signs of tick-borne illness, your veterinarian may want to identify or test it.

An Ounce of Prevention 

Don’t let the threat of tick-borne diseases keep you and your adventure buddy inside this summer! When it comes to ticks, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. Whether you prefer a monthly chewable or easy-to-apply topical solution, just one dose a month can prevent these life-threatening diseases. 

Need help deciding which tick preventative is right for your pup? Our veterinary team can help match your pet’s breed, age, and lifestyle with the right product. Just give us a call or ask about tick preventatives during your next appointment! 


​