Tips for the Removal of Ticks From a Dog

Ticks live in high grass and shrubbery. There are various types of tick and they are external parasites that latch on to mammals, including dogs, and feed on their blood. Although a severe tick infestation often leads to anemia, and in rare cases, tick paralysis, the most significant concern with ticks is their ability to carry a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. When your dog gets a tick, remove it carefully and promptly.

  1. Identifying Ticks

    • Ticks have an oval body and a tiny head. Young ticks (larvae) have six legs. Nymphs and adult ticks have eight legs. They attach themselves to a dog or human using strong mouth parts. After a tick has consumed blood, its body becomes engorged and appears to be a swollen, leathery gray ball.

    Topical Tick Prevention

    • Many topical products from your veterinarian kills ticks and prevents infestations. Some are available in aerosol sprays. Others are applied by squirting a small amount of liquid on the dog's skin at the back of your dog's neck. These products cause attached ticks to die and fall off. This is a good way to remove ticks you haven't found and prevent future ticks. Make sure to follow your veterinarian's instructions.

    Tick Shampoos

    • Some pet shampoos also kill ticks. Shampoo your dog according to the directions on the product. Be careful not to get the shampoo in your dog's eyes or ears.

    Removing Attached Ticks

    • If you find an attached tick on your dog, manually remove it with fine-point tweezers. Position the tweezers as close to the tick's attached mouth as possible, near the dog's skin. Squeeze the tweezer around the head and pull firmly, but do not squeeze too hard or twist the tweezers because that might dislodge the body, but leave he head embedded. Drop the parasite in rubbing alcohol to kill it. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water.

    Treating the Wound

    • Wash your dog's wound with pet-friendly disinfectant and apply a triple-antibiotic cream to the wound to help prevent infection. Your dog might have a red, itchy bump after you remove the tick. If so, apply hydro-cortisone spray.