Ticks are small (up to 1cm long), greyish, bean-shaped insects that attach themselves to dogs and feed off their blood. Frequently found on the ears, face or legs, ticks are predominantly active during the spring and early summer and from late summer into autumn. They’re often found in woodland, and rough grassland such as heath or moorland, and in areas populated by deer and other livestock.
Ticks can also carry a number of other potentially serious infectious diseases. Fortunately diseases from tick-borne infections are rare in the UK although Lyme disease is one potential risk that has been reported.
Ticks attach to the skin of dogs and look like bean-shaped warts. However, careful examination with a magnifying glass at the base of suspect warts may reveal the parasite’s legs! The common ticks seen in the UK may vary in size from a few millimetres to over 1cm in length and from pale white in appearance to grey and bluish-black. While a single tick may go unnoticed on dogs, they may be painful and in large numbers can lead to anaemia.
Ticks are often difficult to remove as their mouthparts can remain embedded in the dog’s skin, which may lead to irritation, infection and abscesses. It’s therefore advisable to ask your vet’s advice regarding treatment and the correct technique for removal.
