You found ticks on your dog. Then, what should you do? Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, bacterial ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis. Tick bites themselves can cause skin infections. This pest must go away, and you can be the one to do it! With tweezers, some disinfectant, and a little bit of courage, you can get ticks off your dog in no time. Your beloved dog will thank you from the bottom of his heart.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Source of Ticks
Step 1. Know how to recognize ticks
Ticks like tall grass and low bushes. Some ticks are very small - almost the size of a flea - while others are much larger. Ticks are usually black or brown in color and oval in shape. Like spiders and scorpions, they belong to the group of arthropods called arachnids, and have eight legs.
Step 2. Prepare your equipment before you start looking for ticks
You will need sharp-tipped tweezers and a jar of alcohol. You may need to prepare some disinfectant such as chlorhexidine solution (Nolvasan) or povidine iodine solution (Betadine) to clean the wound after removing ticks from your pet.
- If you live in an area where ticks are common, you may also need a tool designed to get rid of ticks. This clever utensil looks like a spoon with an inward notch and works great for removing fleas from people and pets.
- While it's commonly believed, you can't actually kill ticks by flushing them down the toilet. The only way to kill ticks is to dip them in alcohol or spray them with a special tick and flea spray.
Step 3. Make sure your pet is calm and happy
The process of getting rid of ticks is also unpleasant for your dog. Give him his favorite toy to chew on and a snack or two (with your love and affection) before you begin.
Step 4. Look for ticks on your dog
You should check if your friend's animal has fleas whenever it goes somewhere known for ticks (hiking trails, tall grassy yards, etc.). You should look for small bumps with your hands and dark, round bumps with your eyes. Start the search from the top of your dog's back and then work your way down to either side of his chest and stomach. Be sure to search in and around:
- limbs
- Between the toes and the pads of the feet
- Under the legs (armpits), stomach, chest and tail
- Above, in and under the ear
- Face and top of head
- Chin
- The front of the neck
Step 5. Use a comb if your dog has thick or curly hair
If you're having trouble combing your dog's hair, you may need to get a fine-toothed comb to look for ticks on your dog. Keep in mind that some dogs are afraid of hair dryers.
You should use this tool in addition to your hands as feeling the lump is still the best method
Part 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Ticks
Step 1. Bathe/soak your dog with a tick/flea shampoo/soap
This product may not be safe for puppies, so read the instructions carefully. Again, the chemicals will kill the ticks and make them easier to pick up. If your pet is too young to use shampoo or soap safely, don't use the product. Instead, continue removing ticks by hand.
DO NOT use on cats unless the product is specifically declared safe for use on cats
Step 2. The dog's fur should remain exposed if you find a tick
You need to keep the fur exposed so you don't lose the tick. Even if you accidentally lose an area you've uncovered, just check the same section. Ticks don't move when they eat because they stick their heads into your pet's skin.
Step 3. Spray the tick with flea and tick spray
Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully and wait for the chemical to kill the tick. Don't overdo it. You certainly don't want to poison your pet. The chemical will cause the tick to release its bite and fall or at least make it easier to remove by hand.
Just like shampoo, most sprays should also be avoided on puppies. Read and follow the instructions carefully
Step 4. Use tweezers to remove ticks
Pinch ticks on their heads and mouths, right where they stick on the skin. This is very important: you should clip the tick to the head, not the body. If you pinch the tick against the body, the body can separate from the head and cause the head to remain on the dog's skin. This can cause irritation and infection.
- Don't use your fingers to get rid of ticks. If you use your fingers, you may be squeezing the tick's body and making it easier for the disease to pass to your pet. It is strongly recommended that you use a special tool to get rid of ticks or use tweezers carefully.
- If the tick's body separates from the head, your veterinarian will need to examine the tick's body parts that remain on your dog's skin. The vet will determine whether it is necessary to remove any remaining body parts of the tick.
Step 5. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly on the tick
If you're too nervous to remove the tick with tweezers or a tick removal tool, you can try applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly like Vaseline to the tick, especially around its head. This jelly will prevent the tick from breathing, causing the tick to retract its head from the skin. Then, you can lift the tick with tweezers without risking breaking its head from its body.
This method isn't guaranteed to work, and even if it does, you'll need to wait a few minutes after you've applied the petroleum jelly for the tick to turn around
Step 6. Put the tick in a jar filled with alcohol
Make sure the tick is submerged and can't come out of the jar. It may take several hours for the tick to die.
Step 7. Repeat the previous steps to get rid of all the ticks you find
Keep in mind that where your dog plays will determine the number of fleas lodged in his body. So, you have to be careful and detailed in your search to make sure you get rid of all the ticks that are present.
Step 8. Apply a small amount of disinfectant where the tick was found
To help prevent infection, apply a triple antibiotic ointment to the site where you removed the tick. Veterinarians recommend chlorhexidine or providine iodine solutions mixed with water. Check the directions for use on the label for instructions on the water mixture.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding Ticks
Step 1. Remove ticks
Once you've finished removing all the ticks, make sure they're all in a sealed jar filled with alcohol. Put the lid on the jar and leave the tick in it for a day or two. If you're sure all the ticks are dead, you can throw them in the trash outside your home.
Step 2. Take your pet to the vet to check for disease or infection
Ticks can carry various diseases, especially Lyme disease. After getting rid of ticks, make an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure you don't get any disease on your pet.
It will be very helpful to the vet if you keep some ticks that have died when you dispose of them. Place the ticks in a plastic bag and take them to the vet. By identifying the type of tick, veterinarians will more easily assess the potential for disease transmission
Step 3. Check your pet regularly for ticks
Whenever you take your dog for a walk or let him play in tall grass where ticks are common, you should check your dog for fleas.
Depending on the region, certain types of ticks are more likely to appear in certain seasons. This information can be obtained from the Animal Husbandry Service, the Internet, or a veterinarian
Step 4. Make your dog and home an unpleasant environment for ticks
Avoiding ticks is the most effective way to keep your dog away from ticks. Use products to control ticks that are effective and safe for your dog. There are body products, oral products, and collars to help control ticks on your dog. Consult with your veterinarian before giving any new medication. Other ways to keep your dog and home tick-free include:
- Trim grass and weeds so they are always below ankle height.
- Cover the trash can tightly with a strong lid and remove any piles of rocks and lint. This will keep mice carrying ticks away.
- Stay on track when you walk him and make sure your pet is near you. Avoid areas with tall trees and grass where ticks are common. If your dog runs off course (as they often do), make sure to check your dog for ticks when you get home.
Tips
- Always check for ticks on your pet after being outdoors for a long time such as camping, walking, hunting, or visiting the dog park.
- Always kill ticks as soon as they are removed. Ticks that are left alive will re-attach to your pet, to you, and to your family members.
- Check your pets for ticks and fleas on a monthly basis. Consult your veterinarian before administering certain products to ensure that there are no complications caused by treatment.
- You can also take your dog to the vet or dog grooming salon to get rid of ticks, especially in dogs that have been severely affected. The vet you visit may recommend antibiotics in addition to testing for tick-borne diseases. A very severe infestation of ticks can cause anemia because the tick lives on your dog's blood.
Warning
- Do not use tick/flea control medication without consulting your veterinarian first. Each product has its pros and cons – and your veterinarian will help you plan a treatment that is appropriate for you and your pet's situation.
- Ticks can carry various diseases. They can pass it on to you and your pets. In most cases, ticks have to stick to and eat from you and your dog for more than twenty-four hours to transmit the disease, so it's even more important that you check yourself and your dog as soon as you have potential exposure to ticks.
