I have removed two really ugly bugs that were embedded in my Yorkies hair. Each was in then neck area. I have no idea what these were, but they were nasty looking?!
Each looked kinda like a bean, light tan in color with very short legs on the underside. there were about 8 legs and were very short.
If I woud have squeezed these bugs, they probably would have popped like a zit.
Does anyone know what they could have been and how they got there? She spends a lot of time in the driveway, hanging out in the sun so I suspect that is where she got them, but I dont know. The bugs seemed to have been sucking on her skin because she has a little break out on her neck where one was. Do you think that this bug is harmful??
thanks for your input...
2006-07-03 05:45:25 · 18 answers · asked by skobie 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Definitely what you have found is a tick, however from your description it is NOT a deer tick (adults are the size of sesame seed), but most likely a brown dog tick, Since you also said they were engorged they are probably female ticks....not good I hope you killed them, because a female tick can lay up to 1,000-3,000 eggs after feeding on a host (your dog) they can also carry diseases that are harmful to dogs including canine babesia and canine ehrlichiosis they are not known to carry lyme disease, or any other diseases transmittable to humans. You should immediately take your dog to the vet and get something like Revolution for her to protect her from ticks. Also it would be a very good idea to look into buying a pesticide to spray around your yard and kill any ticks around because from what I have read (if it is a brown dog tick) they can even cause infestations of your house if they get on your dog and then drop off and lay eggs in your house. Keep an eye on your dog for any symptoms of the disases these ticks transmit... In dogs, symptoms of canine ehrlichiosis include lameness and fever; those for babesiosis include fever, anorexia and anemia. If you find another tick I suggest taking it to your vet for identification so that you know what kind of tick it is and if it is harmful. Since I can only guess what kind of tick from your brief description, it might not be a brown dog tick but it could be any number of other even more harmful ticks that carry human diseases.
2006-07-06 13:50:47 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are called ticks, or deer ticks, and do carry serious diseases. They will embed their tiny heads into skin of any mammal, and some reptiles, and proceed to suck their blood. If it hadn't been there long, it's body would've been flat and dark reddish brown. If the ones you found were tan, they had been there awhile. They get lighter coloration because of their skin stretching out as they fill up. Left alone, they will actually eat till they burst...gross, huh?
They are VERY hard to kill without chemicals. If you pluck any more off, make sure the head doesn't remain under the skin, as that happens alot. Also, squishing it will not kill it, you have to either hold fire to it till you hear it "pop" or seperate its head from its body before it'll die.
A good kennel dip will take care of any more that are possibly on your dog, and prevent future skin/fur parasites from making homes on it, for a period of time. Also, the above mentioned Advantage (you may have seen advertised on TV) is available at your local vet and online.
They will also get on people, so check your scalp closely.
2006-07-03 17:21:56 · answer #2 · answered by jessvangogh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The others are right. The bugs are ticks. Ticks can cause two diseases that I know of. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme's Disease. These are what humans can get from the ticks. Check your dog daily and look for these little blood suckers. Twist and pull to remove the ticks that are embedded. Burn them. Check yourself every night, also. I hope this helps.
2006-07-03 21:47:47 · answer #3 · answered by organic gardener 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like ticks. Should see a vet. Not likely to be from the driveway. They are harmful and can be vectors of disease to both animals and humans.
2006-07-03 19:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by The Mog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a tick. Ticks are arachnids just like spiders which have eight legs. If it was swollen and had been attached to the skin then it was a tick.
2006-07-03 19:01:33 · answer #5 · answered by Brian C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be a tick. ticks are usually small and tan, or black. some have 8 legs others have 4. or lice maybe. nontheless it isn't harmful. just see a vet or get K9Advantix. good luck!!
2006-07-03 12:52:04 · answer #6 · answered by PeppermintPandora<3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sound like ticks and yes they are nasty little critters. I hope you squashed them!
The reference has some pics and more details. They can also attach themselves to humans and spread some nasty stuff around as they drink blood and move from host to host.
2006-07-03 12:50:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a tick. And it is true that some ticks carry Lyme disease, but these are the small deer ticks.
I have given you my favorite links for insects. (Ticks are not insects, but are closely related, and are often studied with them.)
2006-07-03 13:59:12 · answer #8 · answered by Triple M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More likely she picked them up on the lawn than on the driveway. They climb uo on grass blades and wait for a passing warm body. But they're everywhere outdoors. Worst thing you can do is let your grass get high.
2006-07-03 12:54:44 · answer #9 · answered by ALLEN F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like ticks. the female is really big and looks like she'll pop and the male is the tiny one you sometimes think is just a small scab on your dog
2006-07-03 12:49:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋