Ticks are masters at spreading deadly diseases. Fortunately, it is very easy to prevent these illnesses — simply check for ticks whenever your dog goes outside. Carrington College suggests running your fingers over your entire dog, including around the face, inside the ears, and between the toes.
If you aren’t already convinced that the regular tick checks are essential, you will be once you’ve examined this list of tick-borne diseases:
Lyme Disease
A common illness for both humans and their dogs, Lyme disease is marked by fever, swollen joints, swollen lymph nodes, and loss of appetite. More serious complications include kidney damage as well as heart or nervous system disease. However, PetMD points out that only 5-10% of affected dogs show any symptoms.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information indicates that purebred dogs are most susceptible to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which includes such symptoms as lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, and loss of coordination.
Canine Anaplasmosis
Sometimes referred to as dog fever, canine anaplasmosis features a variety of concerning symptoms, including unusually high body temperature, stiff joints, and lethargy. According to experts from the Pet Health Network, canine anaplasmosis is especially common in the Northeast and Central Atlantic regions.
A simple tick check could be all that stands between your pooch and any of the aforementioned diseases. Clearly, inspecting Fido is worth your while!