How to safely remove a tick from a dog

As the warmer seasons bring nature back to life, ticks become more active. Although they are small, they can carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Therefore, it is very important to know how to safely and calmly remove a tick from your pet.

How to spot a tick?

Ticks usually burrow into areas where the fur is thin – around the ears, on the neck, in the armpits, around the tail. If you notice a small, dark, round spot on your dog’s skin – it could be a burrowing tick. It is grey or black, and swollen like a small bean.

Safe tick removal.

We share 5 steps that will help you remove a tick correctly, calmly, and without stress.

1. Prepare the necessary tools.

Before starting the tick removal procedure, make sure that:

• With tweezers or a special tick removal tool .
• Disinfectant liquid (rubbing alcohol or antiseptic).
• Disposable gloves (to protect yourself from possible contact with infection)

2. Calm the pet.

During the tick removal process, the dog should be as calm as possible and not move. You can use your dog's favorite treats or toys to help distract and calm him. Also, if possible, ask someone nearby to hold the pet.

3. Start tick removal.

First, part the dog's fur around the tick, then take the tweezers and press them against the tick as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it straight up. It is very important not to twist the tweezers while pulling the tick, so that the tick is removed completely intact and does not leave its head in the dog's skin. Twisting the tweezers can also cause severe irritation and serious infection.

However, if you are unable to remove the entire tick at first, do not force it out as this can only increase the risk of infection. Instead, monitor the area of ​​skin carefully for signs of infection (such as a rash or irritation) and allow your dog's body to naturally eliminate the foreign body.

4. Disinfect the bite site.

Once the tick has been removed, clean the bite site thoroughly and gently with a disinfectant to reduce the risk of infection. As mentioned, it is important to monitor for any remaining tick head, and if it is, contact your veterinarian immediately.

5. Monitor your pet's health.

Monitor your pet closely for the first few weeks after removing the tick. If you notice any signs of a rash, irritation, or your dog suddenly develops a fever, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How to protect your dog from ticks?

• Use protective measures recommended by veterinarians (collars, drops or tablets)
• Take care of your pet's vaccinations.
• Avoid tall grass during walks.
• After every walk or outing, carefully inspect your four-legged friend's body.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ6_zWmzeMg&ab_channel=McCannDogTraining

You may also like: How to give your dog medicine easily and safely