Once you are sure that no member of the parasite has become embedded in the skin, you should not crush it against the floor, to avoid spreading its eggs.
They are commonly known as ticks. These parasites belong to the ixodoid family. They are a dangerous agent that transmits diseases that affect both humans and animals.
In this article, we share important information about these parasites that can both affect the health of people and our pets. Keep reading!
Ticks and pets
For starters, ticks like hot, humid places. For this reason, they prefer to stay between the legs, behind or inside the ears and in the groin of the animals to feed on their blood.
Furthermore, the damage caused to animals can be serious. The most common diseases in dogs are babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. These produce chronic anemia that if not treated in time can cause the death of the dog.
Finally, to eliminate ticks from your animals, you must take medicated baths indicated by your veterinarian. The frequency is every 7 days.
Then, fumigate the environment where the animal lives every 15 days, without the presence of your dog. Finally, you must be careful not to abuse the dose of poison to avoid poisoning your animal.
Ticks and human diseases
1. Colorado tick fever
For starters, this is a disease that is transmitted by the Dermacentor andersoni tick bite. It is observed more frequently in Colorado (United States).
The most common symptoms that occur are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Pain behind the eyes.
- Light sensitivity.
- Fever.
- General weakness.
- Muscle pains.
2. Lyme disease
Secondly, infected ticks from biting infected mice or deer transmit this disease. In addition, it can also affect our pets. It was first reported in the United States, but cases are also known in Europe and Asia.
The symptoms of this disease include:
- General decay.
- Fever.
- Muscle pains.
- Headaches, among others.
It is important to know the symptoms of Lyme disease. In case of early diagnosis, it can be cured with antibiotics.
Stages of the disease
In the first stage of this ailment, the infection has not spread throughout the body. In the second stage, the bacteria begin to spread throughout the body.
Finally, in the third stage, it has already fully expanded. In this phase, it can generate prolonged joint inflammation. It can also cause problems with the heart rhythm and nervous system.
The tick to transmit the disease must remain attached to your skin for 24 to 36 hours. Black-legged ticks can be so small that the person does not realize that they are attached to the body.
3. Rocky Mountain spotted fever
The source is a bacterium carried by ticks. The tick must be attached to the person for more than 20 hours to transmit the disease. Ticks spread the infection in the United States, Central and South America.
Symptoms it presents:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Shaking chills.
- Muscle pains.
- Confusion.
The tick embedded in the skin should be carefully removed. Then start antibiotic treatment to clear the infection.
4. Tick paralysis
The saliva of some ticks may contain a toxin that can cause paralysis in children. In general, it is cured by removing the parasite in the correct way.
Symptoms:
- Tingle.
- Weakness.
- Lack of coordination.
- Unstable gait.
5. Tularemia
It consists of an infection whose cause is a tick bite. It can also be due to the bite of an infected rodent or contact with meat of a wild animal. It occurs most frequently in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Symptoms:
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Shaking chills.
- Muscle pains.
- Weightloss.
- Breathing difficulty.
Complications
This disease can be fatal in about 5% of untreated cases. In addition, in some cases, it can complicate and lead to pericarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, or pneumonia.
Correct way to remove a tick
To extract the tick, certain recommendations must be taken into account:
- To begin with, the tick must be taken from the head or mouth by means of a clamp.
- Then stretch it out in slow but steady motion.
- You should not crush it against the floor, since that way the blood is scattered and the eggs too.
- Lastly, make sure that the head is not embedded in the skin.
- Another valid option would be to put a little alcohol, iodine or paraffin so that the parasite is released naturally.
Tips for removal
- For starters, don’t forget to wear gloves or a paper towel.
- First, wash the area where the tick was found with soap and water, and your hands as well.
- In case you cannot remove the head, ask for professional help.
- Then store the tick in a closed container. To finish, keep an eye out for any symptoms of the diseases listed above.
Prevention
- For starters, if you walk on tall grasslands or wooded areas wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Shoes must be closed.
- Garments must be light-colored in order to view ticks.
- Spray your clothes with bug spray.
- Also, keep the shirt inside the pants.
- Finally, you should be alert to your pets, check them regularly for the presence of these parasites.