Ticks are one of the most common ectoparasites that can affect our dogs, especially if they pass through wooded areas where these mites can crouch in the middle while waiting for an animal to feed, are hematophages, so they must bite and remain attached to the dog throughout the process, it is in this exchange that this mite can transmit various diseases , so it is very important to know how long a tick lives with and without guest, as we will explain in this article of Animal Expert, to avoid its appearance and properly disinfect our house.
There are different species of ticks capable of biting dogs and also humans; As we have seen, its importance lies in its ability to transmit such dangerous diseases as babesiosis, Lyme disease or canine ehrlichiosis; When the tick approaches an animal, it inserts its head begins to feed and becomes trapped. This type of feeding implies that, to be able to extract them, special attention must be paid to do it completely, so that the head does not remain inside the dog, which could cause an infection.
- If the tick functions as a vector for any disease.
- Depending on this.
- It should be in contact with the dog for several hours to become infected.
- Therefore.
- It is important.
- In addition to the prevention by deworming.
- To control the dog every time it arrives from a walk during the period of greatest risk of ticks.
- Which usually corresponds in the less cold months.
- Locating ticks before joining or removing them in the first few moments will prevent the transmission of diseases such as those mentioned.
- Knowing how long a tick lives and its life cycle will help us clean our dog effectively.
- Similarly.
- A large infestation can lead to anemia and lack of iron.
Among the different species, we will take as an example Ixodes ricinus to delve into the lifespan of a tick and how, the females we observe trapped in a dog’s feeding for a few days or even several weeks, then return to the middle to lay eggs and die.From these eggs hatch six-legged larvae that will look for a first animal to feed for 2 to 3 days, which is usually a rodent; after this ingestion, they return to the environment to become nymphs, already 8- legs, which feed 4 to 6 days to animals like rabbits, finally return to the environment where they transform into adult ticks that spend most of their time in the environment, the females feed dogs, cats or oxen for 5 to 14 days, starting then, if you ask how long it takes a tick to grow or fill with blood , the answer is one to two weeks, experiencing growth during that time that can even multiply its size by four.
In general, adult ticks mate on the same host when they eat enough. After mating, the female lays eggs, which hatch 20 to 60 days after laying, and the previous cycle resumes.
In general, ticks prefer areas with vegetation to lay their eggs, although they can also opt for cracks formed on the ground, especially if they are close to the resting place of our furry friend, or they do so in the host itself.Thus, if we have a place in the house that meets these conditions, such as a garden or an old space, and we do not take the proper measures to prevent and disinfect the house, we may experience an infestation after the eggs hatch.Therefore, it is interesting to note that adult larvae and ticks can find in humans an ideal host to feed, so it is not only pets that can be damaged by these parasites.
A tick can lay 3,000 to 7,000 eggs, a number alarming enough to take into account the precautions to be taken.
To answer the question of how long a tick lives outside the dog or cat, again it is necessary to review its life cycle, because each stage has its own resistance.Therefore, larvae can live in the environment without receiving food for about 8 months, while adult nymphs and ticks can survive without a host for up to a year and a half.In total, the life cycle of the tick, taking into account the time a tick lives without eating in all its phases, can take up to 4 years.
As we have seen, most of the life cycle of ticks develops in the environment and can last for several months, which makes environmental control difficult, however, given the lifespan of a tick and the establishment of an appropriate deworming program will prevent infestation., we find repellents to prevent the tick bite from reaching our dog and also others with a protective action that eliminates ticks within hours of having bitten the dog, preventing them from transmitting diseases.
To define the most suitable deworming program, we must consult our veterinarian to adapt the product to the conditions of our dog, since they have an increased risk of infestations that frequent wooded areas or fields, which can increase the frequency of applications.It is to take into account the instructions for proper administration of the product, for example, if we opt for pipettes or sprays, we cannot let the dog get wet 48 hours before or after use, as it may lose its effectiveness.However, more and more experts are recommending a double monthly deworming, which consists in protecting the animal from external and internal parasites by administering a single pill, since its effectiveness is much greater, so consult your trusted veterinarian about this method and the deworming of your pet, to protect it and all family members.
In this case, more important than the life of the tick in the dog, we should focus on removing it as quickly as possible, because it is impossible to completely prevent it from climbing on our animal, frequenting open environments.Some tips include:
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any condition or discomfort.
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