Warnings are currently being put out about cases of seasonal canine illness caused by orange harvest ticks. During this time of the year, the presence of these kinds of ticks, which will show up as orange in the fur, has been found to cause potentially severe illness in dogs. As it has its most probable source in harvest mites, the illness is at its peak in the September to October period. As such, experts, who have already noted cases in the west of the UK this year, have issued an orange tick warning.
What is seasonal canine illness?
There is a good deal which is not yet known about seasonal canine illness. However, all the cases that have been recorded over the harvest period have happened to dogs carrying an orange harvest tick in their skin, indicating that there is some relationship between the orange tick and the seasonal illness.
It is thought that the specific sickness that these ticks cause has been going around for the past 10 years or so, and in some cases, if not reacted to quickly enough, it can be fatal. It happens most often in wetter spells which have come after periods of dry weather. It is also known to be a most urgent danger in certain but not all woodland areas. So, it would be wise for all dog owners to check if there have been reported cases in your area before taking your dog for a walk through woodlands.
Symptoms of orange tick illnesses
If your dog has picked up an orange harvest tick then they may develop seasonal canine illness. This will manifest between 24 and 72 hours after your dog has picked up a harvest mite on their skin. The first signs will be diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as a palpable tiredness, or a disinterest in meals. Unfortunately, the illness does move very quickly.
This means it is important that you should take your dog to a vet as soon as possible if your dog has any of these symptoms, or indeed if they appear generally unwell, or should they faint. The three main symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea and tiredness, so these are the key things to look out for through the harvest season, which can be throughout autumn. Muscle tremors have also been known to occur in dogs with seasonal canine illness, so this should also be looked out for if you have had to get rid of an orange tick.
How to prevent seasonal canine illness?
If you take your dog for a walk through wooded areas in September or October, it is best for you to check your dog’s feet after the walk for orange or yellow coloured harvest mites. Thankfully, their bright colour should make them relatively easy to spot. If you see any mites, you should use a flea treatment spray to kill them and get rid of them, and then be vigilant for any signs of illness.
Throughout harvest months, it would also be advisable to use preventative anti-tick treatment products, such as shampoos and sprays. This is especially the case if the only green areas you can take your dog for a walk throughout September, October and November are woodlands. With that said, a sensible measure, if possible, would be to minimise your dog walking through wooded areas during the harvest season.
What to do if your dog has an orange harvest tick on their body?
If you do notice any orange harvest mite on your dog, it is key that you should take your dog to see a vet as soon as possible. This may all seem rather scary but, so long as you act quickly, it is not actually as much of a cause for fear as it might initially seem. Even though many dogs have had the illness this harvest season, none have died, as vets are very good at dealing with the condition once you bring your dog into their care.
Cures for seasonal canine illness
There are currently no direct cures for the illness, so vets have to take your dog into their care and nurse them back to health, treating the symptoms and making sure that they are alleviated so that your dog does not become too seriously unwell. As such, the process of treatment – which will use such techniques as antibiotics and anti-sickness drugs – can take up to a week.