In my last blog, I describe how you can recognize your dog has a tick. In this blog, you can learn how to remove a tick from a dog.
Myths buster
First of all, let’s have a look at some myths when it comes to tick removal:
like touching it with a hot match, covering it with petroleum jelly or with nail polish, or alcohol. These are supposed to make the tick “come out” of the skin. However, these ‘tactics have the opposite effect. They are actually forcing the tick to hold tight, burrow deeper, and even make him sick – which is increasing the risk of infection.
What makes ticks scary to me and many others is the fact they carry diseases. It’s so important to remove any tick that attaches itself to your dog as soon as possible.
The sooner a tick is removed, the less likely it can infect your dog with microbes that cause Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases.
How to remove a tick for a dog
Twisting them off your dog is the best removal method. Pet shops sell tick-removal, but you can use a tweezer as well.
Be very careful not to squeeze the tick’s body or leave its head stuck inside your dog. If you press a tick’s body too hard, it can cause it to expel blood on your dog and you as well, and increasing the risk of infection.
If you are worried about removing ticks, take your dog to the vets, and they can do it for you.
- Gently part your dog’s coat so you can easily reach the tick
- Get your tick remover and slowly push it under the tick
- When you have a firm grasp of the tick, twist it in a clockwise direction several times until the tick comes loose
- Examine your dog’s skin and make sure you removed it completely
- Disinfect your dog’s skin; you can use Soothing Antiseptic Spray for it
- Pop the tick in a tissue or a bag and put it in the bin before washing your hands
- Disinfect the tick removal and wash your hand thoroughly
The saying: prevention is better than cure, applies here as well.
I can’t even remember when I saw a tick last time? Do you?