Ticks That Are Affecting Different Areas of the US

By | May 15, 2020

Ticks That Are Affecting Different Areas of the US

Pet parenting comes with many responsibilities and equal amounts of fun! Dogs are inquisitive creatures that are always loyal to their humans. We only want the best for our dogs. However, dangerous parasites such as ticks think otherwise. Ticks are arachnids that attach themselves to the dog and feed on their blood. Moreover, the side effects of ticks are not just limited to infections; they can also transmit perilous illness to your dog such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Some areas have high tick infestation while others have mild or average tick infestation. The risk factor relies on the city you live in. Some parts of the US are heavily infested with ticks, while others are at a lesser risk. If you’re concerned about tick infestation in your area, this blog will provide you with the most useful information. Read on to find out which areas in the United States are heavily infested with parasites and also the kind of ticks that infect dogs in these regions.

Tick Infestation in Different Parts of the United States 

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks are mainly found in the southeastern areas of the US. The tick bite of a lone star tick usually goes unnoticed as they bite painlessly. Moreover, these ticks stay on the dog’s body for as long as seven days until the tick is fully engorged with blood. A lone star tick is recognized by its distinctive feature – a white dot (or lone star) on its back.

The saliva of a lone star tick can cause irritation and redness around the bitten surface, though it doesn’t necessarily indicate infection. Besides, even pet parents need to be cautious as these ticks also tend to bite humans.

American Dog Tick

American Dog Tick, also known as Dermacentor variabilis, is spread across the east of the Rocky Mountains. Moreover, it is also prevalent in a few areas on the pacific coast. Dogs are at the risk of getting bitten by American dog ticks, especially during the spring and summer seasons. These dog ticks are also commonly known as wood ticks. American Dog Tick transmits harmful diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia.

Brown Dog Tick

Brown dog tick (also kennel tick) is found worldwide, mainly in warm climates. These ticks are easily recognizable by their reddish-brown color and wide body shape. This tick transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and is mainly prevalent in southwestern U.S. and U.S.- Mexico border. This tick feeds on a variety of mammals, though dogs are their preferred choice. The symptoms of a tick bite include fever, lethargy anorexia, and anemia. People residing in southwestern areas need to be extra careful and take preventives to protect their pets from tick bites and infestation.

Black Legged Tick/ Deer Tick

The black-legged tick, also known as Ixodes scapularis, is widespread across the eastern and northern Midwestern areas of the United States. This dangerous tick transmits Borrelia Burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in dogs. Besides, it also transmits B. miyamotoi disease, which causes relapse fever in dogs.

Although these ticks thrive during summers, they also manage to survive harsh winters by searching for hosts and hiding in warm corners and places in the house. It is highly essential to administer tick preventative to your dog if you’re living in an area that is highly infested by Black-legged ticks as they can transmit Lyme disease.

Tick Infestation in Canada

Ticks were already creating havoc in the US, and now they have moved on to Canada as well. Before a couple of years, tick infestation was not a matter of concern for Canadians thanks to the cold climate. However, now Canada is getting warmer, which is increasing the risk of tick infestations. Currently, there are six provinces in Canada which are facing tick infestations – Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and BC.

To the pet parents residing in tick-infested areas, it is vital for you to administer tick preventive treatment to your furry pal. These ticks might seem tiny, but they are highly resilient and can transmit deadly diseases to your beloved pet. One of the most recommended flea and tick preventive treatments is Nexgard for Dogs. This treatment works against fleas and all four types of ticks, including brown dog tick, lone star tick, black-legged tick, and American dog tick. Therefore, for complete protection from parasites, administer Nexgard to your dog.