What to Do If You Discover a Brown Dog Tick
Finding a tick on your dog or within your home can be an alarming experience, especially if it's the
brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Commonly known as the
kennel tick, this species has adapted to thrive not only outdoors in warm climates but also
indoors year-round, making infestations particularly challenging to eliminate. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand what steps to take if you encounter this tick.
Identifying the Brown Dog Tick
The brown dog tick is recognizable by its:
- Yellowish-brown to reddish-brown body
- Elongated oval shape
- Hexagonal basis capitulum (mouthpart base)
- Festoons along the edge of its back
Adult females measure about 4–5 mm before feeding and can become engorged after attaching to a host. All life stages—larva, nymph, and adult—can be present simultaneously in an infested home.
Immediate Actions After Discovering a Brown Dog Tick
1.
Safely Remove the Tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting.
2.
Disinfect the Bite Area: Clean the site with soap and water or an antiseptic.
3.
Monitor for Symptoms: Watch your pet for signs such as fever, lethargy, or reduced appetite, which may indicate tick-borne diseases.
4.
Save the Tick for Identification: Place it in a sealed container or bag with a damp cotton ball in case professional identification becomes necessary.
Preventing Further Infestation
Brown dog ticks are unique among ticks because they can complete their entire lifecycle indoors. Proper prevention and sanitation are key:
- Inspect and Treat All Pets: All dogs and animals in the household or facility must be examined and treated with tick control products approved by your vet.
- Use Effective Tick Preventives: Isoxazolines (oral or topical) are recommended treatments that kill ticks at all stages.
- Thorough Cleaning: Vacuum all carpets, furniture, and floor cracks. Launder pet bedding in hot water.
- Environmental Treatment: In severe situations, enlist a pest control professional to treat your home’s interior and exterior.
- Eliminate Outdoor Habitats: Maintain yard hygiene by removing brush, tall weeds, and debris. Ensure kennels are kept clean and dry.
Understanding the Lifecycle and Risks
A brown dog tick’s lifecycle includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Females lay up to
7,000 eggs in cracks and crevices. Each active life stage feeds on dogs, though other mammals, and rarely humans, may be secondary hosts.
Ticks can survive
months without feeding; adults may live up to 18 months unfed. Therefore, failing to treat all stages and hosts can result in recurrent infestations.
Diseases Transmitted by Brown Dog Ticks
These ticks are vectors for several diseases, primarily affecting dogs, but occasionally humans:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) – potentially fatal to humans and dogs
- Canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) – causes anemia, lameness, and fever
- Canine babesiosis (Babesia spp.) – leads to fever and anemia
- Canine hepatozoonosis (Hepatozoon canis) – typically mild but persistent
- Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma platys) – affects platelet counts in dogs
- Bartonellosis (Bartonella spp.) – less common in dogs but may contribute to illness
Notably, brown dog ticks
do not transmit Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), which is spread by blacklegged ticks.
Indicators of an Infestation
Signs you may be dealing with a larger issue include:
- Multiple ticks on your dog, especially around the ears, feet, belly, and head
- Ticks crawling on walls, furniture, or pet bedding
- Visible irritation, scratching, or hair loss on pets
If such signs are observed, act quickly to protect your home and animals.
Consulting a Veterinarian
Veterinary professionals can confirm if the tick is indeed a brown dog tick by examining its morphology—festooned edges, oval body, and hexagonal mouthpart base. They will advise on appropriate medications and whether diagnostic testing or disease screening is needed.
Staying Vigilant
Preventing future tick problems includes:
- Year-round tick prevention treatments
- Routine grooming and tick checks, especially after travel or boarding
- Maintaining clean living spaces for pets
- Monitoring pet health and behavior for changes
Conclusion
The brown dog tick may be small, but it poses a significant threat due to its resilience, ability to reproduce rapidly, and potential to transmit serious diseases. If you find one, act fast by removing the tick, treating all animals, thoroughly cleaning your home, and seeking veterinary guidance. With vigilance and preventive care, you can minimize the risks and protect both your pets and household.
