Tick Safety for Hunting Dogs

Introduction

Owning a hunting dog comes with so many positives along with a few negatives, one of which is dealing with ticks. Cases of tick borne diseases have been reported in all 50 states, but are especially prominent in the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Northwestern states. If you live in one of these regions, it becomes even more important to have a plan in place to address ticks and keep you and your dog healthy throughout the season. By staying vigilant, taking proper precautions, and reacting quickly when your dog gets bit, you will hopefully be able to avoid any lost time due to a tick borne illness. 

Tick Borne Diseases

There are many tick borne diseases out there, all of which have the potential to be harmful to your dog. The list of diseases below is in no way all encompassing, and some that are prevalent in your area might not appear. Please research your specific region to learn more about the ticks in your area, and what diseases they are known to carry.

Lymes Disease

Lymes disease is a common tick borne disease reported in dogs as well as humans. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) there were 465,721 positive cases of lymes disease in dogs in 2023. That makes it one of the most common tick borne diseases in the country, with positive cases being reported in all 50 states. According to the CDC a tick needs to be embedded for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the disease, so early detection is key. In many cases, symptoms do not occur for 2-5 months after initial infection, so even though your dog might remain without symptoms for some time, it does not mean you have avoided the illness altogether. This can make it hard to recognize if symptoms do develop, as it will likely be months since the infection took place. Common symptoms include lameness, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and loss of appetite. These will likely come on gradually, and can be hard to recognize initially. Always pay close attention to your dog, and if in doubt bring them in for testing.

Anaplasmosis

Another very common tick borne disease is Anaplasmosis. There were 665,680 positive tests in dogs in 2023, making it even more common than Lymes. Another way Anaplasmosis differs from lymes is in how long it takes for a tick to transmit the disease. The bacteria that cause the disease can be transmitted in as little as 24 hours after the initial bite. Symptoms usually occur within 1-2 weeks, but it should be noted that most dogs never exhibit any symptoms. Common symptoms include fever, dehydration, lack of appetite, and lethargy. These symptoms, especially the mild forms, can be hard to recognize and tie back to a tick disease. If any concerns arise regarding your dog's behavior it is best to get them tested. A simple blood test is all that is needed to diagnose Anaplasmosis.

Ehrlichiosis

Another common tick borne disease found in dogs is Ehrlichiosis, with 326,178 reported in 2023. A tick must be attached for more than 24 hours to successfully transmit this disease. Symptoms usually occur within 1-3 weeks and may include lethargy, lack of appetite, lameness, and bruising. If left untreated symptoms can develop into chronic issues and be life threatening. It is essential to respond quickly if you observe any of these symptoms as infections treated in the early stages are usually curable.

Checking for Ticks

One of the best ways to prevent tick bites is to regularly check your dog for ticks. Tick season is typically considered April-October, but anytime the weather is above freezing there is a possibility for ticks. It is important to check your dog each and every time you take them out hunting. Ticks tend to migrate to your dog’s head, so pay special attention to their neck line, ears, and top of head. In many cases you will be able to observe ticks racing to your dogs head up to an hour after leaving the woods. Other common areas to check for ticks would be the feet and legs, as well as their underbelly. Finding ticks before or shortly after they bite is the best way to prevent tick borne diseases. If you find a tick embedded in your dog, use a tweezers to remove it by grabbing as close to your dog’s skin as possible, and pulling straight up. This should ensure the head of the tick does not stay embedded in your dog. If you pull the tick out and the head is still in your dog, this will need to be removed to avoid further issues. If you do not feel you can remove it with the tweezers, reach out to your vet for suggestions or further assistance.

Tick Prevention

While visually checking for ticks is a great way to lower the chances of a bite occurring, there is always the chance you will miss one. Luckily, there are several products on the market to further help reduce the chances of your dog contracting a disease. 

Flea/Tick Collars

Flea and tick collars have been around for awhile, and have proven to be an effective way to prevent tick borne diseases from occurring. They work by releasing an insecticide that both repels and kills most ticks. This insecticide is spread through oils in your dog’s coat, and gets absorbed into your dog’s skin layer. This creates a barrier that not only repels ticks, but also kills them before they have the chance to bite. It can take several days for the full effects of the collar to take effect, so planning ahead is key to its success.  The goal of the collar is to prevent bites from ever occurring. There are many collars on the market, most lasting 6-8 months, so you should only need to buy one collar in a normal year. These collars work well, and drastically reduce the chances your dog will be infected by a tick bite. Like anything, they are not 100% effective. Proper post hunt inspection of your dog is still recommended. 

Topical 

Another common tick prevention is the use of an ointment or drop. These are applied directly to the dog’s coat in an area they can not lick, typically between the shoulder blades. These work similar to the tick collar in the fact they then spread to your dog’s skin and create a barrier that both repels and kills ticks. These take 12-48 hours to take full effect, so again preparation is key. Most drops will last about a month, so it will be necessary to continue to apply them throughout the season. There is also the negative effect of the ointment being present on your dog’s fur, which can be transferred to your hands and clothes easily. However, these are very affordable options and would work well if you only had a few trips where your dog would be at risk for exposure to ticks.

Chewables

An increasingly popular option for tick prevention is the use of chewable tablets. These tables work by releasing chemicals upon ingestion that mix with your dog’s blood stream or skin. When a tick bites, they come in contact with the chemical and ultimately are killed. There are multiple brands on the market, all relatively similar in how they perform. Chewables can be effective within 30 minutes after ingestion making them extremely fast acting. Different brands will last different lengths of time spanning from 1-3 months, so be sure to research how often to dose them. It should be noted that these work differently than both the tick collar and topical ointment. Both of those prevent tick bites from ever occurring, chewables kill a tick after they have already bit your dog. They kill ticks as soon as 12 hours after contact but could take up to 24 hours. This works well to prevent most tick borne diseases, but in rare cases your dog will still be susceptible to Anaplasmosis due to how quickly that particular disease can spread. 

Final Thoughts

Yes, ticks will always be a concern to consider when going out with your hunting dog, with well over 1 million total tick borne cases reported each year. The good news is there is no reason to sacrifice the joys that come with hunting just because of ticks. With proper preparation, planning, and some due diligence on your part, it is entirely possible to all but eliminate the chances of contracting a tick borne disease. There are many products on the market to choose from and hopefully this article helped point you in the right direction and gave you a better understanding of the options. There is no replacing due diligence, and every tick you physically find on your dog and remove is one less chance for them to get sick. Even with the best control efforts it is still possible your dog will get sick. Stay vigilant and take them in for blood tests if you suspect anything. Tick borne diseases are easily treatable if discovered quickly with most dogs bouncing back in a day or two.