How to Remove a Tick From a Dog

Ticks are small, blood-sucking mites that can transmit serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, to your pet. If you spot a tick on your dog, quick removal can prevent a painful illness.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pointed tweezers or a tick removal tool
• Latex gloves
• Rubbing alcohol
• Soap and water
• Glass jar
• Cotton
• Triple antibiotic ointment or hydrocortisone spray

1. Perform a daily check of your dog for ticks, particularly in the spring when ticks are more common.

2. Wear latex gloves to feel your dog's skin for any lumps under his coat. Areas prone to ticks are ears, face, legs and belly. Use a small-toothed flea comb to search for ticks.

3. Look for the tick's brown body (similar to a balloon) protruding from your dog. Ticks range in size from that of a sesame seed to a fingernail when fully engorged.

4. Use pointed tweezers or a tick removal tool with a cut slit on one side and grasp the tick firmly where it has entered your dog's skin. Maintain deliberate and steady pressure as you pull the tick straight out. Never twist the tick and make sure to remove the whole tick.

5. Clean the site with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol to prevent infection

6. Apply hydrocortisone spray or triple antibiotic ointment to relieve any irritation.

7. Dispose of the tick. Place it in a jar of rubbing alcohol to kill it.

8. Wash your hands thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• You may notice a bump or redness of the skin after you've removed a tick from your dog. This type of reaction is caused by the tick saliva.
• Hydrocortisone spray for dogs and cats is available in most pet stores.
• Never use your fingernails to remove or dispose of a tick. Doing so can put you at risk of contracting disease.
• Don't apply Vaseline, a hot match or alcohol. These may cause the tick to place more disease-carrying saliva into your dog's skin.

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