Natural tick prevention for dogs

Why ticks are so dangerous

Like mites, ticks belong to the arachnids. As a subclass of mites, they lead a parasitic existence and make life difficult for their chosen victim. These little creatures feed on the blood and lymph fluid of their host. To do this, they pierce with their mouthparts — because ticks don’t actually bite, even though this term is more commonly used. You can recognize a tick by its triangular-flattened body and eight long legs. The head is only as big as the tip of a small pin, and once it’s attached to its host, it is hard to see. Depending on the species, they range in color from dark brown to reddish brown. Some have mottled patterns. You probably won’t notice 30 to 60 percent of all tick bites. In the dog’s dense fur, they are usually not visible. Only when the tick starts feeding does its abdomen swell, increasing the chance of spotting it. During its meal, a tick can increase in size by up to 200 percent. And the longer it feeds, the greater the risk that it will transmit a dangerous disease to your beloved pet, such as:

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Lyme disease
• Ehrlichiosis
• TBE (tick-borne encephalitis)

Where do ticks lie in wait for their host?

Basically outdoors: in the forest or in a park, but also in your own garden. Depending on your place of residence and the prevailing temperatures, the risk of a tick infestation is greater. In some federal states, more of these crawlers roam around than in others. Ticks like it warm. In Germany, they are usually active between February and October. During a mild winter, you also have to expect ticks. Because they awaken from their winter dormancy at around 6 °C and start searching for food. The “tick issue” thus becomes a more frequent and ongoing concern.

This is what happens when you get a “tick bite”

A tick usually bites a dog immediately, without wandering around on it for long. The head, shoulders, chest, and neck are particularly affected. It uses its mouthparts to cut into the skin and inserts its proboscis into the resulting wound. The proboscis has barbs to prevent it from falling out. The tick then sucks up blood, cell fluid, and lymph fluid. In doing so, it secretes a substance that

• numbing,
• anti-inflammatory and
• anticoagulant

Some ticks do not have a long feeding tube with barbs. Instead, they use an adhesive substance to stick to the dog. During feeding, undigested blood residues from the tick’s gut enter your dog’s wound. This way, they transmit pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other parasites to the host, which can lead to dangerous diseases. Ticks are slow. Males feed for a few days and only consume what they need to survive. In contrast, females feed from a host for several weeks because they also need blood for egg production. Only after about three hours is there a risk of infection for dogs. The longer the tick feeds, the more likely it is to infect your dog with a disease. Our tip: As soon as you find a tick on your dog, remove it immediately.

Removing ticks correctly and rendering them harmless

For this, you need a tick remover tool. Part your dog’s fur and place the tool as close to the skin as possible. This prevents the head from possibly remaining stuck and later causing inflammation. Gently twist the tick out using the tick remover tool. The direction doesn’t matter. Afterwards, it’s not enough to just drown the tick — for example, in the drain — or crush it with your finger, as it is very resilient. To get rid of the parasite for good, high-proof alcohol, intense heat (fire), or a hard object to crush it helps.

The Little Tick Encyclopedia

The following tick species cause dog owners in our region the most concern:

• Common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus)
• Wood tick (Dermacentor reticulatus)
• Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

The common wood tick

The most widespread tick species in Europe is slightly larger than the brown dog tick. It transmits the pathogens of Lyme disease, TBE, and anaplasmosis. While dogs rarely contract TBE, Lyme disease is much more common.

The floodplain tick

You can recognize the meadow tick by the whitish-marble patterned dorsal shield with a red-orange outer edge. It is slightly larger than the common wood tick and transmits Babesiosis, also known as "canine malaria." In recent years, this tick species has spread. The highest infestation rates are recorded in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.

The brown dog tick

It is about one to three millimeters in size and reddish-brown. Originally, the brown dog tick was mainly found in the Mediterranean region. In Germany, it was considered unable to survive. However, it is now known that this tick species is spreading increasingly due to climate change and the many imported dogs. From larva through nymph to adult tick, the parasite lives on the dog’s body. The ground and dog resting places serve as egg-laying sites. Here they transfer to your loyal companion. This tick species is very mobile. They also wander through living spaces and “overwinter” with you in the same household. It can survive up to a year without a blood meal. The brown dog tick can transmit the feared pathogens of Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.

Diseases and symptoms

How can you tell if your dog has been infected by a tick and which pathogen is responsible? Here is an overview of the diseases.

Anaplasmosis

It is caused by Anaplasma, single-celled blood parasites that infect the white blood cells. This disease usually progresses in several phases and can last for years. After an acute phase, the dog appears healthy again until the immune system is weakened once more, leading to another outbreak. Watch out for these symptoms:

• Recurring flare-ups (every two to three weeks)
• Fever
• Exhaustion
• Apathy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• severe bleeding from body orifices in some cases
• partial bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes

Babesiosis

In this life-threatening disease, the red blood cells are destroyed by the pathogen (the Babesia). This leads to anemia and sometimes jaundice. The process begins after twelve to seventy-two hours. In an acute infection, the first symptoms appear after ten to twenty-one days. If it progresses slowly, it resembles human malaria, which is why it is also called “canine malaria.” Watch out for these symptoms:

• High fever
• Intense thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Exhaustion
• Brownish-red urine
• Rapid loss of fitness and weight
• Movement disorders
• Inflammations
• epileptic seizures

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia. The incubation period is quite long, lasting from two weeks up to five months. Additionally, the symptoms in the early stage are nonspecific. The health condition deteriorates gradually. A first indication of Lyme disease is the so-called "migratory redness", but it is difficult to see in a dog’s thick fur or with dark skin pigmentation. Lyme disease can chronically affect your dog. In severe cases, neurological damage may remain. Unfortunately, for some dogs, the disease can be fatal. Watch out for these symptoms:

• “Wanderröte”: red ring around the puncture site
• Early stage: loss of appetite, fatigue, recurring fever
• Joint and muscle pain
• joint inflammation
• lameness of the legs
• Inflammation of the nerves and skin
• Heart problems

Ehrlichiosis

In the Mediterranean region, this dog disease is widespread, but it has also been detected in Saarland. It infects the monocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, and from there it spreads to the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. After one to two weeks, the disease breaks out. If left untreated, it leads to permanent anemia. Watch out for these symptoms:

• Recurrent fever
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Bleeding
• Swelling of the spleen and lymph nodes

TBE

The virus rarely chooses dogs as hosts. The risk generally exists only in endemic areas. These are Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia. If your dog is healthy, there is no danger, as the pathogen requires additional factors such as immune deficiency as a prerequisite. It then damages the central nervous system and leads to meningitis and/or encephalitis. Often, affected animals die or must be euthanized to end their suffering. Watch out for these symptoms:

• Fever
• Cramps
• Paralysis of the face and eyes
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Apathy and/or aggression

When to go to the vet?

Basically, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as you suspect an infection. If your dog shows one or more of the listed symptoms, don’t wait to see if they might go away on their own. A quick diagnosis can save the life of your four-legged friend! If you have removed a tick, pay attention to its type. Meadow ticks are easily recognizable, and with this variant, an immediate visit to the veterinarian is advisable so that your dog has a chance to survive. Observe your pet closely and regularly check the bite site. This way, you can notice even the smallest changes. If you want to protect your dog in advance against the pathogens transmitted by ticks, talk to your veterinarian about the options and whether a vaccination exists. Nevertheless, the importance of reducing the risk of tick bites through your own prevention should not be underestimated.

Prevent ticks with natural coat care for dogs

Are you looking for a way to deal with ticks without using chemicals? There are several natural home remedies that ticks dislike. These include coconut oil, but also many other essential oils.

Be sure to watch out for any intolerances in your dog and discuss the use of the product with your veterinarian.

Die Stoffe unterstützen einander, wodurch sich die Wirkung verstärkt. Der „Fellwächter“ enthält keine Öle und ist auf Wasserbasis, daher haben Sie hier keinen öligen Film auf dem Fell und einen wohltuenden Duft. Sie können auch direkt nach dem Auftragen mit dem Hund kuscheln.

Tick prevention is available with either a pump attachment or a spray nozzle. Some animals react fearfully to spray bursts, so the pump version is more comfortable for them.

Apply some of the “Fur Guard” to the palms of your hands and massage the product well into the fur on the back, legs, neck, and head. In areas with a high tick population, only use the fur care product on unbroken skin. One application every 3 to 4 days is sufficient; during peak tick season, please use it every 1 to 2 days. Fellwächter can withstand a few “swims,” but should be reapplied after your pet has been swimming for a long time.

“Fur Guard Plus”

The automatic and natural “charging station” in times of high tick infestation. Millions of natural biodepots give your dog and cat the chance to make ticks view them as unattractive hosts and therefore avoid them.

One milliliter of “Fellwächter plus” contains over 30 million bio-deposits that are activated by friction. Fellwächter plus is sprayed on dog blankets and all sleeping or resting places where your dogs and cats sleep or spend time. This can also include their place in the car. Furthermore, it can be sprayed on all types of textiles. Ideal in combination with Fellwächter.