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Ticks are parasites that live on the blood of mammals.
Wildlife are especially affected with ticks, but the
dog is a natural host for this parasite.
Ticks carry many diseases, Lymes
disease and Rocky mountain Spotted Fever to name
a few. Certain areas of the United States are
more at risk for these diseases than others. Check
with your local veterinarian for more information about
disease occurrence in your area. Ticks can also
release a toxic substance which in some dogs can cause
a form of paralysis known as tick paralysis.
Wooded areas as well as open grassy fields offer a
source for ticks to await a host. Once attached,
feeding begins. Usually it is the female who engorges
on blood, which is necessary for her to then deposit
her eggs. Hatching "nymphs" (young ticks)
crawl up on a blade of grass or weed, and await the
next passer by to attach. The cycle then repeats
itself.
Ticks are one of the more difficult parasites to treat
due to their resistance to medications. Most dip
materials are suited to kill ticks on contact.
Few products however, are able to prevent attachment
of the ticks onto their host the dog, while also killing
them in the process. Listed below are some of
the more popular products used today to prevent ticks
from attaching onto the dog and to kill ticks on contact.
Preven-Tic
collar®
Frontline®
Revolution®
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