According to Pet Place, ticks are parasitic arthropods that suck blood from dogs and other warm-blooded animals. They are not actually insects, but they can bite dogs and transmit disease. Fortunately, you can treat your dog by removing any ticks that may have attached themselves to the animal and then adding a preventative treatment. There are many effective options that will keep ticks away from your dog.
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Removal
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Remove any ticks from your dog with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick by its head right at the point where it enters the dog's skin. Pull it out steadily, without any jerky movements, so it will come out all in one piece. Drop it in alcohol to make sure it's dead before you dispose of it. Do not put any oil, Vaseline or other substances on the tick before removing it. Contrary to popular belief, Drs. Foster and Smith say this will not kill the tick and can actually cause it to deposit more saliva under the dog's skin. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite with disinfectant.
Collars
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Once your dog is tick free, you must use a treatment to prevent another infestation. Tick collars are easy to use and usually repel fleas too. You simply put the collar on your dog's neck, and it will work for up to six months before it needs to be replaced. Drs. Foster and Smith warn that tick repellent collars should not be used on old or sick dogs or those that are pregnant or nursing puppies.
Spray
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Dogs can be treated with a tick repellent spray. Some sprays also repel other pests such as fleas, lice, mosquitoes, gnats and flies. This makes spray a good treatment for dogs that spend a great deal of time outside. The mist is sprayed directly on the dog's body. Some sprays are okay for use on nursing dogs.
Topical Treatments
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Topical tick treatments are applied in one spot, typically on the back of the dog's neck, and they distribute themselves over the animal's entire body. These treatments usually last one or two months, depending on the brand you use. Topical products typically repel fleas and other pests too. These products must be used with caution on old, sick, pregnant or nursing dogs. Drs. Foster and Smith advise that you should consult with a veterinarian before choosing a topical tick treatment if you have a dog in one of those categories.
Prevention
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According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, prevention is an important of treating your dog for ticks. Once you have treated the dog, you should also try to keep the environment free of ticks. Keep your yard cleaned and mowed to keep rodents away, since they are often carriers. Don't let your dog roam freely in areas where it might pick up ticks. If you find a tick in your home, vacuum it up and immediately seal and dispose of the vacuum bag. Drs. Foster and Smith say you can use lawn and carpet sprays to ensure that any ticks in the environment are killed.
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