When winter is over, ticks become a pest for our pets. Therefore, it is very important to get rid of them as soon as possible. In this article we explain how to remove ticks from a dog correctly.
Removing ticks from a dog – the sooner, the better
Ticks are not only a nuisance for us and dogs, but, in addition, these parasites transmit many diseases. Therefore, they should not be taken lightly. The golden rule is:
- The earlier ticks are detected and removed on dogs, the lower the risk of transmitting diseases to them.
- Most pathogens are found in the tick’s intestine. From here, they must reach the tick’s salivary glands in order to infest another host. This process takes several hours. Therefore, by removing ticks on dogs in time, the risk of transmission of pathogens is reduced.
Normal tick control is necessary
Ideally, you should examine the dog after every walk to look for tick bites. Explore the whole body thoroughly, focusing on the head, ears, belly and inner thigh. In fact, ticks prefer areas with thin skin and little hair.
Ticks sometimes look better and sometimes worse. Their size varies between that of a pin and a cherry stone depending on the blood they have ingested.
Pay attention to the symptoms that your dog may present after a tick bite. These can be, for example, fever and lack of appetite, and can be a sign of an illness.
How to remove ticks from a dog safely?
If the dog has brought a tick home, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. Here’s how to get ticks off a dog:
- Use a tweezer or a tick-removing hook.
- Bring the clamp as close to the tick as possible to the skin, without crushing the tick’s body.
- Grab the tick’s head. Pull it out slowly, straight and evenly from the point of the bite (do not pull it out all at once).
- Check if you have removed the tick completely.
- Remove it carefully so that it cannot infest another guest.
- Disinfect the wound and examine it regularly. If a circular redness forms around the bite, this may point to Lyme disease.
- Keep the tick bite in mind for a while. If your dog seems sick, weak or has a fever, take him to the vet right away.
What diseases are transmitted by ticks?
Many people wonder if ticks are dangerous for dogs. The answer is clear: yes!
This is because ticks can transmit many pathogens with their saliva. These, in turn, can cause serious illnesses to your dog. These are:
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Babesiosis
- Hepatozoonosis
- Tick meningoencephalitis (TBE): TBE is transmitted by viruses, but it is very rare in dogs and only affects immunocompromised animals.
How to prevent ticks in dogs?
Especially with ticks on dogs, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, it is advisable to protect your dog in advance against tick bites and the risk of disease transmission.
To do this, there are several antiparasitics that kill ticks or prevent them from attaching. These are the variants that exist:
- The pipettes are administered between the dog’s shoulder blades and distributed throughout the body. Depending on the duration of the effect (in general, up to four weeks), you should treat your dog several times a year.
- Sprays work the same as pipettes.
- The collars release the active ingredient continuously. Thus, they keep ticks and other parasites away, usually for a long time (about five or six months).
- In addition, the veterinarian can prescribe tablets with an effect that can last between three and six months.
Removing ticks from a dog: What are the most famous myths?
- As in many other things, there are numerous legends about ticks on dogs and other animals. We present the most important:
Ticks fall from trees on their prey: Nothing about that. Ticks usually lurk in tall grass or bushes. - You have to turn the tweezers to remove ticks on dogs.
If to remove ticks from a dog it is easier for you to turn them, do it, but it is not necessary. After all, ticks don’t have a thread. - It is dangerous not to remove the tick completely: If you can’t remove the tick completely, this is not a problem in itself. The head will be enveloped by the scab of the wound and, sooner or later, it will end up falling with it. Therefore, inspect the area periodically and, if it becomes inflamed, take the dog to the veterinarian.
Obviously, if the head stays in the body, in theory, the risk of pathogen transmission is still there. Therefore, always try to remove the tick carefully.
Are there any home remedies against ticks?
The topic of home remedies against ticks can not be missing either. Oil, glue, nail polish remover or similar products are said to help remove ticks from a dog.
The other way around. When trying to kill ticks with these means, it is common for even more pathogens to reach the wound. In addition, glues and products with alcohol can irritate the dog’s skin. Manual removal with tweezers is and will be the only way to remove ticks from a dog.
Is there natural remedies as anti-tick protection?
To prevent tick bites, people also talk about home remedies, such as tea tree oil or wormwood, essential oils such as lavender and mint or garlic. Although there are reports that suggest that essential oils have a certain protective effect, this lasts very little time. In addition, reliable scientific studies on its effectiveness have not yet been conducted.
On the other hand, the biggest problem is that some home remedies are anything but healthy for dogs. In particular, tea tree oil and garlic can be toxic in excessive doses. Also, oils with intense aromas can disturb the fine sense of smell of some dogs.
