Tick Prevention for Puppies
Ticks suck the blood of the host. A puppy's small size makes it even more susceptible to the effects of losing blood. A single tick is troublesome; more may even be deadly because ticks also spread diseases, some of which can kill. Ticks can ride into the house from outdoors on a puppy and even bite members of the family, passing on deadly illnesses such as ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease.
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How to Prevent Ticks
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Modern tick prevention is much easier than in the past. There are many products available from shampoos and the old tried-and-true flea and tick collar. One of the best methods for tick prevention is liquid drops placed between the shoulder blades on the dog's back. The liquid is oil-based and adheres to the dog's coat, spreading as the dog moves. It works in and covers the whole body without any contact from you.
When to Start Tick Prevention
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In cold climates where winter temperatures drop below freezing, tick treatments can stop during the coldest weather. Stop once temperatures drop below freezing at night. Begin once again with your treatment of choice at the end of winter, before temperatures climb regularly above freezing. In more temperate climates, continue throughout the year with your tick treatment. Puppies should start tick prevention in their first spring or immediately when going to a new home at about 8 weeks. Read direction of any tick prevention sprays, shampoos or oils to be sure they are safe for young puppies. The products safe for the very young are weaker than the products used on older dogs so should be combined with diligent lawn care and visual inspection for total protection.
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Clean the Yard
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Spray around the base of the house to keep unwanted pests away from the base. Keep grass cut short. Ticks dislike hot, full sun, and the shorter the grass, the less room there is for ticks to hide in long, cool grass, waiting for a ride on your pet.
Care
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Look over your puppy when it comes in the house from outdoors. Run your hand backward over his coat so you can see the skin and look for black or brown spots. Check the ears, especially the inside of the ear leather on dogs with hanging ears. Run your hands inside the elbows and under the stomach on your dog to dislodge ticks that haven't had a chance to dig in and bite yet.
Removing Ticks
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Removing a tick is not difficult, but there is a specific way to do it. Incorrect tick removal can cause serious illness and even death. When you find a tick on your puppy, hold her securely with her head under your arm to keep her from moving. If possible, have someone else hold her for better control. Use a tweezers to grasp the tick at the base of its head where it buries in your dog's skin. Pull up with a firm, steady pressure. Examine the tick once removed to be sure the entire head came out with it.
The most dangerous situation occurs when the head remains behind and dislodges to travel in the bloodstream. It can cause stroke, and/or death. Do not use a hot match to remove a tick. All that does is make the tick bury farther into the skin and cause it to be harder to remove. Kill the tick in a small vial of rubbing alcohol. Save it for identification. If you cannot identify the tick, have your veterinarian identify it for you so you know what to expect; this can help your vet determine the problem should your puppy get sick after being bitten.
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