Taking your dog for a good hike in the woods or walk in the park is great exercise for both of you. Ticks can attach quickly to your dog when out rambling around in nature, and being aware of how to prevent and handle ticks is an integral part of dog care. Ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease to both humans and dogs. Prevention is the best strategy, but you should also know how to safely remove ticks and how to care for your dog if you find ticks.
Things You'll Need
- Tick preventative
- Tweezers
- Rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly
- Antibiotic ointment or peroxide
- Alcohol
Instructions
Consult your veterinarian for the best tick preventative to use on your dog. Some of the monthly prescription "spot" flea treatments also prevent ticks. These are typically squeezed onto the dog's skin on the back of the neck or between its shoulder blades and are applied monthly during tick season.
Ask your veterinarian about the Lyme vaccine. It is not typically given with core vaccines, but if you live in a region where ticks are prevalent, it can help prevent Lyme disease.
Check your dog for ticks after it's been outside in woods and fields. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends checking your dog daily if your dog spends time outside. Some ticks can be very small and difficult to see. They will typically attach where the fur is shortest or where the dog has little fur. Pay special attention to the insides of the legs and belly, and around the dog's face and ears.
Remove ticks with tweezers. Grab the head as closely to the skin as possible, and firmly pull the tick straight out without twisting it. The AKC recommends numbing the tick with rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly. If the head remains embedded in the dog's skin, don't worry. It should come out on its own. Put antibiotic ointment or peroxide on the area, and dispose of the tick in some alcohol.
Watch the area where you pulled the tick from for several days. A small red or raised area for up to a week is a normal reaction to tick saliva, but swelling, oozing or any unusual signs of illness in your dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian.