Suppose your dog is spending a lot of time outside. Then checking ticks should be your daily routine. However, there are many parts of the United States where ticks are active year-round. Here are a few spots where ticks will be seen and what to do if your dog has it.
Ticks will hide on your dog, usually in the below parts
- Inside the neck
- Inside the face
- Between their toes
- Inside the ears
- Under their arms & legs
If you find ticks on your dog, you should know how to remove those safely. First, however, you must take care of a few things while eliminating ticks from your dog and disposing of them.
Tools You Will Need To Remove The Tick.
Here are some tools which you can use to remove ticks safely
- Latex or rubber gloves
- Extra lighting and a magnifying glass
- Tweezers or a tick removal tool
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Jar or small container with a lid
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Treats
Steps To Remove The Tick From Dogs
When your dogs have ticks on some body parts like eyes, inside the ears & mouth, you need to be very careful. It can be very uncomfortable for your dog. If you are worried or stressed, please call your veterinarian, and ask for guidance.
You can give some treats to your dog to distract them. Here, you can eliminate ticks with a tick removal tool or tweezers.
Use Of Tweezers For Tick Removal
Follow the below steps if you are using tweezers to remove ticks.
- Try to hold the tick close to the dog's skin as possible and try not to pinch your dog. If you squeeze the tick too tight, it may crush the tick, making it more difficult to remove.
- You can slowly try to pull the tick from your dog's skin. Make sure you don't twist your hand when pulling out ticks. You can try removing the tick's head from your dog's skin.
- Once you eradicate the tick, ensure all parts have been removed from your dog's skin.
Use Of Tick Removal
Aren't the typical household tweezers that you use to pluck your eyebrows. You want pointy tips, not squared-off ones. Ticks can be as small as poppy seeds. If you use regular tweezers, you might tear them. Once you have your tools, here's what to do: Clean the area around the tick bite with rubbing alcohol. Get your tweezers right down on your skin so you can grab as close as possible to the tick's head. Pull up slow and firm. Don't jerk or twist; a nice, steady pressure straight up will do. Clean the bite area again, and your hands, with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. And that's it.
Follow the below steps if you are using the tick removal tool:
Use Of Tick Removal Tool To Remove Ticks
Here are the steps for the tick removal tools:
- Flatten your dog's hair and Gently "hook" the tick's body in the gap of the tool.
- Rotate the tool counter clockwise or clockwise until the tick separates from the skin.
- Lift the tick away from the dog's skin once the tick has separated.
- Make sure that all body parts of the ticks have been removed from your dog's skin.
Ways To Handle If Tick Head Gets Stuck In The Dog's Skin
Don't panic if the tick head is still on the dog's skin while the body has been removed.
Make sure you are not trying to dig the head of the tick from your dog's skin. Your dog might feel irritation and inflammation. Please bring your dog to the Veterinarian to remove the remaining parts.
How To Get Rid Of A Tick
You should put the tick in a small container or a jar and fill it with isopropyl alcohol after you remove the tick safely. Isopropyl alcohol will kill the ticks.
Many vets suggest keeping the tick container if your dog shows any signs of illness. Multiple ticks carry different diseases. So, if you have ticks, it will be helpful for your vet to diagnose them.
Disinfecting The Skin
It would be best to disinfect the area after removing the tick. You can use soap & water to clean the area gently. You can also apply Vetericyn Plus antimicrobial hydrogel spray.
Ensure there is no redness or inflammation in part from where the tick was removed. If you notice anything, please get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
Don't forget to wash your hands with soap and water after removal and disposing tick.
How To Prevent Tick Bites
You can use flea & ticks prevention.
Many products are available in the market, like Nexgard & Bravecto, which will help your dog fight against fleas & ticks.
For over-the-counter, you can use Seresto collar & Frontline Plus for continued prevention.
