What to Know About Ticks and Dogs
When looking for ticks, you may feel or spot ticks on your dog’s body underneath their fur. When it first attaches, an adult tick will look like a tiny round bug with 8 legs. After feeding, it will swell up to look bloated and bluish-gray, and eventually detach. If that tick has already detached, you may notice a small bump or inflamed area at the site of the bite.
Initially, ticks are small and difficult to spot, but that changes after they’ve fed. Ticks attach and feed over a period of days to a couple of weeks. The amount a tick grows depends on the tick’s species and sex. As it becomes engorged, the size of a female tick can increase 100x her pre-feeding body weight.2
It’s important to thoroughly search your dog for ticks on a regular basis, especially after they’ve spent time outside. Ticks can be anywhere on the body, but they prefer warm, dark, and inconspicuous hiding places. When searching for ticks on your dog, pay special attention to between the toes, inside the ears, under the legs, and around the groin area.3
Different species of ticks are more active during different times of the year, but they can prey on hosts all year long.4 That’s why it’s crucial to keep your dog on monthly, year-round tick protection such as NexGard PLUS chews or NexGard chews.
NexGard® PLUS (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is safe for puppies at 8 weeks, weighing 4 pounds or more. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and itching. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection prior to starting a preventive. For more information, click here for full prescribing information.
NexGard® (afoxolaner) is for use in dogs only. Safe for use in puppies 8 weeks of age or older, weighing 4 pounds or more. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, itching, lethargy, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. For more information, click here for full prescribing information.