Ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Netherlands

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in the Netherlands in Pets

When the weather gets warmer, ticks come out of their winter dormancy and start looking for food. The milder the winter temperatures, the earlier ticks are detected in spring. A tick is an ectoparasite that feeds on the blood of its host.

Ixodes ricinus

Also called the sheep tick. This tick is a common species in the Netherlands. They are mainly active in spring and autumn, but with the current mild winters, they are being found on animals earlier in the year. They live in grassy and wooded areas, but also in the dunes. The tick strategically sits on a plant or twig and can easily transfer to a passing dog.

Dermacentor reticulatus

This tick has been present in the Netherlands for a few years now. The Dermacentor tick is active year-round but peaks in spring and autumn. Mild winters and summers can also make them active in other periods. This species is found in grassy areas, dunes, and open forests, preferably in moist environments. While walking by, a tick can latch onto a dog’s or cat’s fur and then search for a warm spot on the animal to bite.

Babesiosis

Both the Ixodes and Dermacentor ticks can infect animals with Babesia. The disease is caused by Babesia spp</em., protozoa of which Babesia canis plays the biggest role in dogs. Previously, the disease mainly occurred in southern regions of Europe. In recent years, Babesia has also been detected in ticks in the Netherlands. When a tick bites to feed, it can transmit the pathogen through its saliva to the dog. Transmission generally occurs 24 to 36 hours after the tick has attached. Therefore, check your dog for ticks after every walk to significantly reduce the chance of infection.
A dog with babesiosis may show the following symptoms:

  • Lethargy
  • Reduced appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Pale or yellow mucous membranes (anemia/destruction of red blood cells)
  • Bleeding
  • Red-brown urine
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Organ failure
  • Long-term inflammation of muscles and/or joints

If treatment is started promptly, your dog can recover well.

Lyme Disease

Also known as borreliosis, in the Netherlands primarily transmitted by the Ixodes tick. The tick carries the Borrelia bacteria and can transmit it to dogs (or humans or other hosts) when it bites. Transmission does not happen immediately, so here too: the sooner the tick is removed, the better—preferably within 24 hours.
Dogs rarely show symptoms after infection with Borrelia. Unlike in humans, where a red expanding ring can appear on the skin, this is hardly observed in dogs. Little is known about infection and symptoms in cats, but they seem to show even fewer symptoms of Lyme disease. Symptoms that may occur in dogs include:

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle pain
  • Lameness
  • Kidney failure

Most infections are subclinical. Dogs do not pose a direct infection risk to people or other animals because transmission requires a tick.
Lyme disease is regularly diagnosed in humans. Therefore, after a walk, also check yourself for ticks and remove them as soon as possible to reduce the risk of transmitting Borrelia bacteria.

Prevention

Make sure to check your dog for ticks after a walk. It is also wise to regularly check your cat’s coat for these parasites. If you find one, remove it with a tick remover. Grasp the tick firmly close to the skin and pull it out steadily. Try to do this quickly to minimize discomfort for your pet. Check if the tick is completely removed; if not, you might see a small black or brown dot at the bite site. You can try to remove this with fine tweezers. Once the tick is fully removed, clean the area with alcohol. Monitor the spot for 2–3 days for swelling or redness. If this occurs, contact your vet.
There are various products available that work against ticks, such as spot-on pipettes, collars, and pills. See what suits you and your pet best. You can also ask your veterinarian for advice.