Dogs can pick up ticks from the environment when they come in contact with tall grass, bushes, and other areas where ticks reside. Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, tall grasses, and other vegetation.
Ticks can crawl onto the dog's fur and attach themselves by burying their mouthparts into the skin to feed on the dog's blood. Ticks are often found around the ears, neck, and head of a dog, but they can also be found on other parts of the body, such as the belly and legs.
Ticks are often picked up while on hikes or out in open fields while your dog is playing. It is important to check your dog when they are done romping through the grass.
If you find a dried dead tick on your dog, it's vital to remove it quickly and safely. Ticks can spread disease. Thus, removing them is part of keeping your pet healthy. But how do you get the dead tick off without hurting your canine?
Therefore, for a deeper understanding, the article will go beyond borders. Starting from the canine cardiovascular system all the way to questions concerning dried dead ticks on dogs. Stay tuned!
How to Remove a Dried Dead Tick From Your Dog
Tweezers are known to do the work diligently. Once you've got a good grip on the tick, pull straight up. You can also twist the tweezers slightly as you pull up to ensure that no part of the tick remains attached.
What Is the Cardiovascular System?
The cardiovascular system is a network of blood vessels that transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body. It gets rid of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration.
The heart pumps blood via the circulatory system. Its blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) are connected to one another by junctions known as valves.
Which Part of the Body Is the Cardiovascular System Located?
The cardiovascular system in dogs, like in humans, is situated in the chest between the right and left lungs. The heart has a very thin sac known as the pericardial sac. The heart extends approximately from the 3rd to the 6th rib of the dog.
What Are the Basic Structural of the Cardiovascular System?
The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The heart is a muscular organ liable for pumping blood throughout the entire body.
The heart has four chambers (2 atria and 2 ventricles). The atria are the upper chambers, while the ventricles are the lower chambers. The right side of the heart obtains deoxygenated blood from the body and takes it to the lungs for oxygenation. The left side of the heart acquires oxygenated blood from the lungs and transports it to the rest of the body.
The blood vessels are divided into three types - arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries transport oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues. Veins convey deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are responsible for exchanging nutrients, gases, and waste products with the body's tissues.
Blood is made of plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is a yellowish fluid that makes up about 55% of blood volume. It contains water, proteins, and other substances that are important for transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body's tissues. White blood cells help fight infections and other diseases. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting and are vital for preventing excessive bleeding.
What Functions Does the Canine Cardiovascular System Serve?
The main functions of the cardiovascular system are:
1. Transport of Oxygen and Nutrients
The heart pushes blood via the lungs, where it gets oxygen. This oxygenated blood then travels through the arteries to all parts of the body, where it brings nutrients and removes waste products.
2. Regulation of Body Temperature
The heart regulates body temperature by sending warm blood to muscles when they need it but sending cooler blood to organs that don't require much heat (such as the kidneys).
3. Maintenance of Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is kept within normal limits by constricting or expanding arteries in response to signals from the nervous system. These signals tell the dog's body when it needs more or less pressure in its arteries. Thus, they can move around freely without too much effort.
4. Removal of Waste Products
Blood carries waste products away from tissues being produced and into collecting organs to be removed from the body via urine or feces. Some waste products are broken down within the cells themselves. For instance, carbon dioxide is converted into bicarbonate ions in red blood cells.
5. Immune Function
Certain components of the cardiovascular system, such as white blood cells and antibodies, play a role in the body's immune function. They fight off infections and other diseases.
What Are the Most Common Diseases Affecting Dogs' Cardiovascular Systems?
1. Heartworm Disease
Heartworm is a parasitic disease that affects both dogs and cats. It is caused by the larvae of heartworms that enter the bloodstream and migrate to the dog's heart and lungs.
2. Dilated Cardiomyopathy
This is a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, making it difficult to pump blood effectively. It can lead to symptoms such as coughing, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
3. Mitral Valve Illness
It's a condition when the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart doesn't work properly. This leads to a backward flow of blood to the atrium, causing the heart to pump harder. Symptoms include coughing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
4. Arrhythmias
These are abnormal heart rhythms caused by heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, and poisoning.
5. Hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) results from kidney disease, obesity, and stress. It can damage the blood vessels and organs, like the heart.
What Are Diagnostic Tests Used to Evaluate the Cardiovascular System?
There are many diagnostic tests used to evaluate the cardiovascular system. They include the following:
- X-rays. It allows doctors to assess the structure of the heart, holes between chambers, or the thickening of its walls. They can also be used to look for problems with blood flow through arteries and veins.
- Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG). This test records electrical activity within the heart muscle, which can help vets detect abnormalities.
- Diagnostic Catheterization. A procedure involving inserting a thin tube into an artery or vein so that blood can be analyzed for signs of disease.
- Cardiac MRI. A special type of MRI scan that allows doctors to see inside your heart without surgery or radiation exposure by using strong magnetic fields and radio waves instead of X-rays.
My Dog Has a Dried Dead Tick: Do I Need to Take Any Action?
A dried dead tick on a dog shouldn't be a big concern compared to a live one. However, it is vital to monitor your dog for any signs of tick-borne illnesses. Ticks can transmit diseases to dogs, for instance, Lyme disease or Ehrlichiosis. Therefore, monitoring is crucial.
How Do Dead Ticks Look on Dogs?
The appearance of dried dead ticks on dogs depends on the type of tick. They are usually brown, grayish, or silver and have eight legs, similar to spiders. Also, they have a long body with a bulbous shape at one end that houses their mouthparts and digestive tract.
When they're alive, this bulbous part is usually dark red. However, after being removed from the dog's body, it becomes darker because it dries out during its maturation process.
Why Does My Dog Have Dried Dead Ticks on the Coat?
If you see dried dead ticks on your dog, it's very likely that they were attached to your dog before they died. You may also notice that there are some live ticks still on your dog.
If you find dried dead ticks on your dog, remove them by gently rubbing them off with a towel or tissue. If any live ticks remain on your dog, it's important to remove them immediately.
What to Do If the Tick Is Embedded and Dead?
Suppose the tick is embedded and dead. Use tweezers to carefully and safely remove it. Be cautious not to press the tick's body, as that could cause it to regurgitate its stomach contents into the dog's skin. This might have harmful bacteria or viruses.
What Are the Dangers of Leaving a Dried, Dead Tick on a Dog?
The good news is that dried ticks left on a dog are not going to make your dog sick. However, if you don't remove them, they could stay there for a long time and cause some problems.
Flat ticks are not known to carry disease, but they can attach themselves to dogs and feed off their blood. It can cause irritation in the area where they're feeding and can lead to hair loss and skin irritation. When left long enough, these ticks could cause permanent damage to your dog's skin and fur.
What Should You Do to Remove Flat Dead Ticks from a Dog?
To remove flat dead ticks from a dog, use the following:
- Tweezers
- A paper towel
- Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol
- A tick removal tool
- A tissue or damp paper towel
- A zip lock bag
- A pair of gloves
Steps for Removing Dead Ticks
First, wear gloves when handling the tick to protect yourself.
Use the tweezers to grab the tick and pull it off the dog's skin. If the tick isn't attached, remove it with a paper towel (when attached, apply pressure and force with the tweezers to remove it.)
Next, check if the tick is fed or not (flat – unfed; round/globular – engorged/fed). Be careful not to break its mouthpiece into the dog's skin.
After removing the tick, clean and disinfect the tick bite.
Dispose of the tick property. Also, remember to clean the tools used.
Aftercare Tips to Consider After Removal of a Dead Tick from the Dog?
- You need to wash the dog with a gentle shampoo and warm water (dry with a towel afterwards).
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to the area where the tick was removed, and keep it for at least 24 hours (not longer than 72 hours).
- Consider feeding your dog as usual, but ensure you're giving them high-quality food. It should contain plenty of protein and fat to build the immune system for fast healing.
Should You Take the Dog to a Veterinarian After Removing a Dead Tick?
Under many circumstances, it isn't necessary to take the dog to a veterinarian after removing a dead tick. However, there are some situations that can lead to.
- If the tick is engorged, it means the tick has been feeding on your dog for a while; therefore, there is a higher risk of tick-borne diseases.
- When your dog shows signs of illness, suppose the dog develops symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite, among others, it could be a sign of infection. It is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
- When you're unsure if you removed the tick completely, suppose you doubt some parts of the tick remained, take the dog to a vet.
In general, if you are unsure about your dog's health or have any concerns after removing a tick, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Usually, people prefer to watch the ticks be removed by a veterinarian. Suppose you have no other option, then you can grab hold of the tick with tweezers and very carefully pull upwards until it lets go.
Be sure not to squeeze it too hard, as this could inject saliva into your dog. If a large portion of the tick has gone inside your dog and it is unable to pull out fully, then you should contact a veterinarian. Meanwhile, consider controlling your dog's activities, sleep, and movement with Fi Smart Dog Collar. This device is a big win for pet owners as you know what is happening with your pets every time!
For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
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