Ticks

Severe impact on the animal's well-being

Brown dog tick
Rhipicephalus sanguineus

All free-roaming dogs will make the acquaintance of ticks at some point during their lifetimes. In Central Europe, the most common species is the castor beau tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). In contrast to fleas, ticks spend most of their life in the wild. As soon as a suitable host is in sight, the ticks slip off grass or branches, hold on tight, bore into the skin and begin to draw tissue fluids such as blood. The major danger emanating from ticks is the transmission of viral, bacterial and protozoal diseases and the occurrence of tick paralysis. These diseases severely impact the animal's well-being.

Prevention and treatment

For prevention, flea collars, for example, have proven effective; they protect the animal for months. But if a tick should be found in the animal's coat, it can be removed properly with a special tick tweezers. It's best to let your veterinarian show you how this is done.

Learn more about ticks and tick control.