Removing Ticks from a Dog

How do you remove ticks from a dog?

Joni from Framingham, MA

Answers:

Removing Ticks from a Dog

If you can see it well, take tweezers and grab the tick at the skin level where it has attached, grabbing into the skin a bit probably as you want to get the entire tick and not break any parts off. Pull straight out, do NOT twist, do not release, keep pulling steadily until the tick releases, they're stronger than they look. It doesn't take long, they'll pop out. Check to be sure you have the entire tick then tape it to a paper with the date in case the dog gets sick, take that to the vet with you.

OR, you can try this method I've been told it works great. Apply hand dishwashing soap to a cotton ball or paper towel, put that on the tick and they pull out and fall into the cotton or towel almost immediately. I haven't tried that yet, been told it works great, by people that live in the woods. You should apply alcohol or triple antibiotic ointment to the area twice a day for about a week or two after. Dog might lick at the antibiotic cream, alcohol swabbing may be best, to prevent infection of the bite and kill any possible germs. (06/26/2007)

By kidsNclutter

Removing Ticks from a Dog

We went to a tick infested area, and had to take the dogs to the vet for treatment. The next year, we did as the vet advised, and pretreated the dogs with Revolution before going there. The ticks then don't get a stronghold.

Avoid juniper bushes, the hideous little creatures are thick in them! (06/26/2007)

Removing Ticks from a Dog

I've been told that it's almost impossible to remove the head of an attached tick, and that it lays it's eggs inside the pores of skin/hair follicles. I was told by a farmer with dogs, that he uses old used motor oil on each tick's head left in the dog. It's black, and easy to see unless the dog's skin is also black. If so, be ready to dab a good spot of motor oil right on where the tick was pulled off from. I'd NOT wash the oil off the dog, but I'd shampoo him in a dog wash for ticks from the pet store afterwards, outdoors, (in a tub you can toss into a deep dirt hole), wearing gloves, and away from the house! Those eggs can be tough and still alive, except the oil plus the treatment should work. I've also heard old timers say they lit matches, blew them out and immediately/quickly touched the hot charcoal of the match/sulfur to the attached tick, who backs out fast, so they said.

I have never done any of these things, nor had an outdoor dog, so I can't vouch for them, but the sources seemed to know what they were talking about here in Texas where the ticks are really big, like the mosquitoes. Spray yourself with repellent before beginning the work, especially around the ankles and legs, arms, and wear white so you can see any that might crawl or be flicked onto your clothing. Tip: Don't go where the ticks are or use protection next time. My daughter in law's dog died of tick bites because she neglected it out of necessity and left him outside all the time years ago. She never forgave herself. God bless and help you do something soon. : ) (06/28/2007)

By Lynda

Removing Ticks from a Dog

We use a cotton swab with nail polish remover on it. Swab the tick really well and grab it with tweezers. In a few moments it begins to back out and that's when you pull it out and flush it. (06/28/2007)

By Lily

Removing Ticks from a Dog

Here are good step by step instructions from Drs Foster and Smith website:

drsfostersmith.com

"Removing a tick from your cat or dog is easy if you just follow these simple steps.

To remove an attached tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or special tick removal instruments. These special devices allow one to remove the tick without squeezing the tick body. This is important as you do not want to crush the tick and force harmful bacteria to leave the tick and enter your pet's bloodstream.

1. Grab the tick by the head or mouth parts right where they enter the skin. Do not grasp the tick by the body.
   
2. Without jerking, pull firmly and steadily directly outward. Do not twist the tick as you are pulling.
   
3. Using methods such as applying petroleum jelly, a hot match, or alcohol will NOT cause the tick to 'back out.' In fact, these irritants may cause the tick to deposit more disease-carrying saliva in the wound.
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4. After removing the tick, place it in a jar of alcohol to kill it. Ticks are NOT killed by flushing them down the toilet.
   
5. Clean the bite wound with a disinfectant. If you want to, apply a small amount of a triple antibiotic ointment.
   
6. Wash your hands thoroughly.

How to Remove a Tick
Please do not use your fingers to remove or dispose of the tick. We do not want you in contact with a potentially disease-carrying tick. Do NOT squash the tick with your fingers. The contents of the tick can transmit disease.

Once an embedded tick is manually removed, it is not uncommon for a welt and skin reaction to occur. A little hydrocortisone spray will help alleviate the irritation, but it may take a week or more for healing to take place. In some cases, the tick bite may permanently scar leaving a hairless area. This skin irritation is due to a reaction to tick saliva. Do not be worried about the tick head staying in; it rarely happens."

(07/15/2008)

By ThriftyFun