You've found ticks on your dog - what can you do now? These parasites transmit conditions such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, as well as the fact that the bite itself can cause skin infections. It is important to free the animal from these annoying parasites; know you can do it yourself. With tweezers, some disinfectant and a little patience, you can get the ticks off your furry friend in no time. The dog will be infinitely grateful to you.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Ticks
Step 1. Know how to identify them
Ticks like to live in tall grass and small shrubs. Some are very small, almost like fleas, while others are larger. They are usually black or brown in color and have an oval shape. They are part of the family of arthropods called arachnids, like spiders and scorpions, and have eight legs.
Step 2. Gather the tools before starting the pest control
You will need fine-tipped tweezers and a jar of alcohol. Also have disinfectant on hand, such as a chlorhexidine or povidone (Betadine) solution, to clean the wound once the tick is removed from the skin.
- If you live in a location where these parasites are quite common, you may also want to get a specific tool for this purpose. It is an ingenious device, which looks like a spoon with a small cut on the side, and is very effective in removing ticks from both people and animals.
- Contrary to what one might think, it is not possible to kill them simply by throwing them down the toilet. The only safe way to get rid of them is to put them in alcohol or spray them with a specific spray insecticide.
Step 3. Make sure your dog is calm and peaceful
Freeing him from ticks is no fun task for him either. Offer him his favorite chew toy and some treats before starting (as well as your love and attention).
Step 4. Inspect her skin thoroughly
You should check for ticks whenever your dog goes to areas where these parasites are likely to be present (paths, lawns with tall grass, and so on). If there is a tick, you should feel a small swelling in your hands and check that this is black and circular in shape. Start analyzing your upper back and work your way up the sides of your body to your chest and abdomen. Be sure to check:
- The paws.
- The pads of the paws and the space between the toes.
- Under the legs ("armpits"), abdomen, chest and tail.
- Above, inside and below the ears.
- On the muzzle and on the crown of the head.
- On the chin.
- On the throat area.
Step 5. Use a comb if your pet has very thick or curly hair
If you can't run your fingers through the fur to look for ticks, you can help yourself with a fine-toothed comb. If that still doesn't work, try turning on a hair dryer on a low heat and aim it at that part of the fur you are treating. However, keep in mind that some dogs may be afraid of the hairdryer.
The appliance must be used in combination with the hands, because perceiving the swellings by touch is always the best method
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Ticks
Step 1. Wash your wagging friend with a specific flea and tick shampoo
This product may not be very safe on puppies, so check the label and strictly follow the instructions. The chemicals kill ticks and make the removal process from the pet's skin easier. If your dog is too young to safely treat with this type of shampoo, you don't have to. In this case it is good to proceed manually.
Do not use these products on cats unless the label clearly states that they are also safe for felines
Step 2. Space out the hair strands when you spot ticks
Keep the fur well separated so you don't lose sight of the parasite. If by mistake you no longer find the area where the insect is, double-check the portion of skin again. Ticks do not move while feeding, as they poke their heads under the surface of the skin.
Step 3. Spray the bugs with a flea and tick spray
Follow the instructions on the package carefully, then wait for the product to take effect and kill the parasites. Do not overdo the dosage, otherwise you risk poisoning the dog. The chemical causes the tick to loosen its grip and fall or, at the very least, facilitate the manual removal process.
- As with shampoos, these sprays should also be avoided on puppies. Read the instructions and strictly adhere to them.
- Some of the more effective sprays contain an ingredient called fipronil. This type of spray kills the tick, but not instantly. If you are picky about the idea of removing the tick with your bare hands, you can spray it and wait 24 hours; the next day it will have fallen off your dog or it will be easy to tear it off with tweezers.
Step 4. Use tweezers to remove ticks
Grab the parasite by the head, near the area of its mouth, right where it penetrates the animal's skin. Make sure you get it from the head and not from the body, otherwise it could break, leaving the head still under the skin and consequently causing irritation and infection.
- Make a quick pulling motion to remove the tick. This will avoid giving her any warnings, which could lead to her tightening up or vomiting into your dog's blood. You can also use a special tick hook, which stays very close to your dog's skin.
- Do not use your fingers for this, as this could squeeze the tick's body and facilitate the spread of disease in the tick's body. It is strongly recommended to use a specific tool or tweezers with the utmost care.
- If the body of the insect breaks, it is necessary to take the dog to the vet to check the area of the skin where a part of the tick is left. It will evaluate if you need to remove it or not.
Step 5. Put the parasite in the jar of alcohol
Make sure you submerge it and it can't get out of the container. It may take several hours for it to die.
Step 6. Repeat the procedure described in the previous steps for each individual tick
Remember that depending on where your dog has gone to play, he may have several on his body, so you need to be meticulous in finding parasites to make sure you get rid of them all.
Step 7. Smear disinfectant on the bite site
To avoid infection, rub a triple action antibiotic ointment on the spot where you removed the tick. Veterinarians recommend a chlorhexidine-based product or povidone-iodine solution to be diluted with water. Follow the directions on the package to know the exact dilution methods.
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Ticks
Step 1. Get rid of ticks
Once the treatment is finished and all the parasites are eliminated, be sure to seal them in the jar with alcohol. Put a lid on the container and wait about a day. When you are certain that no ticks have survived, you can throw them in the garbage can outside the home.
Step 2. Take your four-legged friend to the vet to make sure he doesn't have any diseases or infections
Ticks can spread many diseases, particularly Lyme disease. Once you have removed all the parasites from your dog, make an appointment with your doctor to make sure they have not passed on any infections.
Your vet can better diagnose any disease if you keep a few dead ticks. Put them in a plastic bag and take them to your doctor's office. By identifying the type of parasite, he will be able to more accurately identify potential communicable diseases
Step 3. Check your pet's coat regularly for mites
Whenever you take your dog for a walk or let him play in tall grass where there may be ticks, you should always analyze his body.
Depending on the geographic area you live in, some types of ticks are more common in certain seasons. You can get this information from your vet, online or even by contacting animal advocacy associations
Step 4. Make your dog and your home unsightly environments for ticks
Preventing your furry friend from hosting them is the most effective way to protect him. Choose a safe and effective anti-flea and anti-tick product. On the market you will find products in different formats, to be applied on a point of the animal's body, to be taken orally or even collars that can keep ticks at bay. Consult your vet before deciding to give him any new medication. Other solutions to keep your dog and home free from ticks are:
- Keep the lawn and weeds below ankle height.
- Securely close garbage cans with sturdy lids and remove any piles of stones and layers of overgrown vegetation. Doing so keep the rodents that carry ticks away.
- Stay on the trails when hiking and make sure your pet stays close to you. Avoid wooded areas and places with tall grass, where ticks are easier to find. If the dog strays from the marked path (as often happens), when you return home check his skin to make sure he has no ticks.
Advice
- Always check your wagging friend after being outdoors for a long time, for example if you have been camping, hiking, hunting or going to parks.
- Always kill ticks immediately after removing them. Parasites that remain alive can re-attach themselves to your skin, that of your pet and that of your family members.
- Give your wagging friend a monthly flea and tick treatment. Check with your vet before giving him any product to make sure no health problems arise from the drug.
- You can also decide to take your dog to the vet or a groomer to get rid of ticks, especially if the animal has a severe infestation. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics and have you tested for tick-borne diseases. A very severe infestation can also cause anemia, because ticks feed on blood.
Warnings
- Do not use an anti-parasite product without first seeking the advice of your veterinarian. Each product has benefits, but has contraindications and the doctor will be able to identify a specific treatment for your pet's situation.
- Ticks are carriers of diseases that can affect both dogs and humans. In most cases, they need to bite and feed on blood for over 24 hours before transmitting disease, so it is very important to have your skin checked immediately (yours or your dog's) if you are concerned that you have been exposed to these parasites.
