Ticks In your Labrador Dogs

By: Richard Cussons , Posted On: 2007-12-20

No dog owner wants to see ticks sticking on the fur of their Labrador dogs. Small as they are, they can cause problems to dogs and dog owners alike. These little creatures live on the body of your innocent Labrador dogs, sucking your pet's blood. Sucking your dog's blood is not the only problem ticks bring; they can also transmit diseases such as Lyme disease.

Naturally you wouldn't want your pet to house a number of ticks, isn't it? Your dog must be free of ticks to prevent diseases and other health problems and most of all, to promote your dog's health and lengthen his life. To examine your dog for any presence of ticks, check his fur and skin. Rub your hands all over his body and try to feel any abnormalities in the skin. If a tick is present, you will usually feel a small lump in the area. Investigate this area further to make sure if it is indeed a tick. Different kinds of ticks can infest different breeds of dogs. No breed of dog is exempted from being infested with ticks, especially if the owner doesn't maintain their dog's regular and proper care and grooming. There are two types of ticks commonly found on dogs- the brown dog ticks and the American dog ticks. Adult male brown dog ticks are about 1/8 of an inch long, flat, brown in color and have divots throughout the shell. Female brown dog ticks, especially when feeding, are larger than males. Deer ticks and western black-legged ticks may as well infest dogs.

Ticks should be removed immediately upon notice of their presence. The best way to remove ticks is to use tweezers, pulling it by the head slowly and carefully. Never squeeze the tick’s body and make sure there is nothing left in your dog's skin. To protect yourself from these damaging little creatures and to prevent the spread of diseases, never use your bare hands and use latex gloves instead. Wash your dog's skin with anti-bacterial soap after tick has been removed and of course, yours too should be washed.

Other methods in treating ticks are through dusts, dips or sprays. Care must be taken when rubbing dusts into your dog's fur and skin to prevent chemicals from getting into his eyes, nose or mouth. Spraying and dipping should be used in heavy infestations.

Although tick infestation can be treated and is usually not life-threatening, prevention is always recommended. Ticks can often be acquired from wooded areas, tall grass, low brush and damp areas. Avoiding these areas will help you and your Labrador dogs from being infested.

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Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about a Labrador at this site dedicated to Labrador dogs.