Who doesn’t love exploring outside with their canine companion? Dogs can be the absolute best buddies for an outdoor excursion. Unfortunately, your pup can also be a great host for undesirable hitchhikers like ticks. So it’s essential you know how to remove a tick from a dog.
If you are brushing or petting your dog and discover a tick, don’t panic. Though troublesome, this situation is easily remedied as long as you know how to properly remove a tick.
What You’ll Need
- Tweezers ( or Tick Key)
- Gloves
- Rubbing alcohol
- Container with lid
- Antiseptic wipes
- Treats
How to Remove a Tick from a Dog
- Don’t panic. Removing a tick within 24-36 hours of your dog being bitten greatly reduces the likelihood of any infection.
- Put on your gloves. Ticks can carry infectious diseases, so play it safe and protect yourself.
- Keep your pet calm. Dogs tend to get nervous when being poked and prodded. You may need the help of distracting treats, a second person, or both. A Kong with peanut butter is a great distracting agent for most dogs.
- Pull out the tick. With steady pressure, use the tweezers to pull the tick straight out. Make sure all parts of the head and mouth have been extracted from your pet (the black bits).
- Kill the tick. Place tick in the container with rubbing alcohol and secure the top. Keep the tick on hand to give your veterinarian if your dog starts displaying symptoms of a disease. This will make diagnosing what ails your pet much easier.
- Disinfect the area. Use some sort of antiseptic wipe or spray to disinfect the site of the bite. Chlorohexidine, iodine, or a triple antibiotic ointment are all acceptable to use on your dog.
- Keep an eye on your dog. Observe your pup for any signs of sickness for a few weeks following a tick bite. Be on the lookout for fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes or swelling at the site of the bite. If exhibiting any of these symptoms, take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
What Not To Do When Removing a Tick from a Dog
- Do not twist or jerk the tick when removing as this will increase the likelihood that part of the mouth or head remains in the skin.
- Do not squeeze or crush the tick, as any fluids may contain infectious agents.
- Do not remove a tick with a lit match. This is a dangerous myth that can cause the tick to release toxins into your pet.
- Do not pinch your dog’s skin.
- Do not force your dog to remain still, especially if they become aggressive or scared. It may be helpful to do a bit of “sit” practice before attempting to remove the tick.
- Do not remove the tick with your fingers.
- Do not dispose of the tick in your trashcan or sink as they can crawl back up into your home.
Using a Tick Key
Gadgets for removing ticks from your dog have become popular in recent years. Tick keys are small, easy to carry, and efficient to use.
- Place the tick key’s large opening over the tick.
- Slide the tick key so the tick moves towards the narrow end of the opening.
- Slide the key along the skin until the tick enters the narrow slot.
- The tick will be pulled out cleanly and in one piece.
- Clean the bite site and your hands with a disinfectant.
- Dispose of the tick by flushing down the toilet or keep in a jar with rubbing alcohol to show a veterinarian in case of infection.
Common Tick Diseases in Dogs
- Lyme Disease in dogs is characterized by lameness due to inflammation of the joints. Sometimes dogs may limp for a few days then seemingly recuperate, only to experience more lameness several days later. Other symptoms include a stiff back, sensitivity to touch, fever, lack of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria found in the saliva of Brown Ticks, especially in warmer climates. Dogs may fight off this infection without you ever knowing but if they are unable to do so they will manifest symptoms up to 3 weeks after the bite. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, abnormal bruising/bleeding, chronic eye inflammation, and lameness.
- Anaplasmosis is another bacterial (Brown) tick-borne disease that can affect both you and your pet. One type infects white blood cells while the other infects platelets. Symptoms of Anaplasmosis include lameness/joint pain, lethargy, lack of appetite, and fever, and may also include coughing, seizures, and vomiting.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is caused by a rod-shaped microorganism called Rickettsia that lives parasitically in ticks and is transmitted to hosts via their bite. Most dogs develop a fever within 5 days of contracting the disease, hence the name. Other symptoms include anorexia, blood in the urine, swelling of the limbs, and loss of coordination.
Protecting Your Dog From Ticks
The easiest way to remove a tick from your dog is to prevent a creepy crawly from ever finding Fido. Prevention is key: always check your dog for ticks when they come inside and use an oral or topical flea and tick protection. Some brands of flea and tick preventative work better in some areas than others so consult a veterinarian about what will work best for your dog.
Getting outside with your pup, whether to traverse the great outdoors or for a simple romp in the yard, shouldn’t be hindered by a fear of ticks. Ticks can be a scary sight and elicit negative emotions from even the most even-keeled dog owner. The best way to keep your family happy and healthy is to know how to prevent tick bites and how to calmly handle them when they do occur.