In the case of fleas, ticks are the most common external parasites in the dog and can transmit various diseases, as well as cause severe itching, irritation, skin inflammation and other symptoms of canine dermatitis, so one of the basic precautions for dogs is: perform periodic pest control treatments and maintain good hygiene in the home to prevent these parasites from reproducing and affecting their health or of his best friend.
But did you know that not all tick species are found in pets?In order for you to easily recognize and identify these potentially dangerous species, in this animal expert article we will show you what are the types of dog ticks with images.Check!
- Although ticks can be mistaken for insects.
- They are small arachnids that belong to the mite subclass.
- Which also includes mites (although they belong to different orders).
- Currently.
- It is estimated that there are more than 800 types of ticks.
- Which are divided into three families: nuttalliellidae.
- Ixodidae and argasidae.
The first family (nuttalliellidae) is quite special and includes only one species that is not extinct, the South African tick. We will not go into more detail on this species, because it is not possible to find this type of tick in dogs. However, in the other two families, these are the most dangerous tick species for furry animals.
ixodidae is the most abundant family and includes at least 600 species of so-called “hard ticks”, that is, those with a rigid outer layer (exoskeleton).Within this family, there are six types of ticks that most often affect dogs, amblyomma, dermacentor, haemaphysalis, hyalomma, ixodes and rhipicehpahlus.Usually, this type of dog ticks perch on the body, especially on the back, trying to hide among the dog’s hairs.
The argasid family comprises about 200 types of “soft ticks” without a rigid exoskeleton.The most common species in dogs is called otobius megnini and is mainly lodged in the ears or between the toes of dogs.Next, we’ll explain a little more, about the 2 most common types of dog ticks, to which you should pay more attention to preserve your pet’s health.
Now, let’s talk a little more about the 2 most common tick species found in dogs living in urban centers.Both belong to the family ixodidae and are the main transmitters of tick-borne diseases.It’s them:
The star tick, also known as a horse tick, is one of the most dangerous types of ticks in dogs, in addition to transmitting various diseases to furry animals, is also the species that most often parasites humans and is the main vector of the tick.Fever (or spotted fever), a tick disease unusual in humans and whose most characteristic symptom is the appearance of reddish spots throughout the body (petechial rash).
Geralmente, é bem fácil reconhecer os indivíduos adultos desta espécie, pois são grandes (podem ser maiores que um grão de feijão), possuem uma coloração parda ou marrom, com um característico desenho no seu exoesqueleto que se assemelha à forma de uma estrela (daí se origina o seu nome mais popular).
It is a versatile and very resistant type of tick, which adapts well to the interior of the house, but also reproduces with great intensity in the environment, especially in areas with abundant vegetation. The larvae, called micuim, live mainly in pastures or pastures and are particularly numerous in the autumn (May to June or July).
This is the most common of all types of ticks, since it has been able to adapt very well to urban centers, today this species is able to grow and reproduce more easily in enclosed and protected spaces (such as houses), than in nature itself.Females usually lay eggs in the cracks of doors and windows, cracks in walls, plinths and dark corners, and in the host’s body.
For this reason, most tick infestations in dogs and at home are due to red ticks and the dog usually does not acquire these parasites when brushing plants or lying on the lawn (common in other types of canine ticks).but coming into contact with another infested animal or staying in a closed area where these ticks are present.
As the name suggests, the most striking feature of this species is the reddish or slightly brown color that predominates in the body of the red tick, in addition to being much smaller than the star tick.In the images below, this type of tick is a female full of blood and also an infestation of red ticks in an adult dog.
Picture: Playback / Wikipedia – Red dog tick
The tick bite can be the gateway to the body of dogs with various diseases, in addition to causing itching and having a negative impact on the behavior of the coat, these external parasites can cause the following diseases in dogs:
To learn more about these pathologies we recommend you to read our article on diseases that can transmit ticks, in the image below you can see an advanced infestation of red ticks in the ear of an adult dog, which can be the gateway to many of the aforementioned diseases.
Now that you know what types of ticks there are, it is important to know how to eliminate the ticks of the dog, given the high resistance and the incredible speed of reproduction of these parasites, prevention is the keyword to keep your home and your best friend free In addition to maintaining optimal hygiene in your home, it is essential to make sure that your home is adequately lit and ventilated daily since dark and humid environments (including corners) usually promote the proliferation of various microorganisms, in addition to being able to be used by female ticks to lay eggs.
But, without a doubt, your dog’s preventive medicine is a crucial aspect to prevent the appearance of these parasites, so consider performing pest control treatments as often as possible, always choosing quality products suitable to the weight, size and health of your fur.Animal, you will also find several tips of natural remedies to remove ticks from your dog, as well as the recipe of the first line of home.
Another good practice is to regularly check your dog’s entire body to identify the presence or traces of external parasites, such as fleas, ticks or mites.If you find that your dog really has ticks, it is essential to start proper treatment as soon as possible to eliminate parasites, both from the home and from the dog’s body.Ideally, seek the help of a veterinarian to choose the most appropriate products and application based on the type of tick and the complexity of the infestation.
If you would like to read articles similar to Dog Ticks, we recommend that you visit our Basic Care section.