How to Remove Ticks From Pets

Ticks thrive in woody, grassy and brushy areas and carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. That's why it's essential to keep them off your pet. Here are a few steps to ensure your pet is tick free.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Antiseptic
• Flea And Tick Dog Shampoo
• Hand Soaps
• Eyebrow Tweezers
• Dog Medication
• Cotton Swabs
• Dog Flea Combs
• Lighter Or Matches
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Latex Gloves
• Dog Brushes

1. Check your pet for ticks daily if he spends a lot of time outdoors, especially if you live in an area known for ticks.

2. Put on latex gloves to avoid direct contact with the tick and contaminated skin, as diseases can be transmitted from tick to pet to human.

3. Feel your pet all over, especially around the neck, head and ears. If you encounter a lump like a small pea, move the fur on your pet to see if you have found a tick.

4. Look to see if a tick is protruding from the skin. Ticks are tiny black, brown, reddish or tan disklike arachnids (having eight legs), about the size of the head of a pin. If they have attached themselves to their host (your pet), then they can swell up to the size of a grape in some cases.

5. Put your pet in a comfortable position. Ask a friend or family member for help in distracting your pet.

6. Grasp the tick with tweezers as close to your pet's skin as possible; make sure not to pinch your pet's skin.

7. Pull the tick out using a straight, steady pulling motion. Be gentle; pulling too hard on the tick can cause its head to remain lodged in your pet's skin, which can lead to inflammation and secondary infection.

8. Dispose of the tick by throwing it into a fire, or by squishing it in a tissue using the tweezers and then flushing it down the toilet. Do not smash it with your foot or your bare hands.

9. Apply antiseptic ointment to the bite.

10. Remove and wash the gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly.

11. Clean the tweezers with hot water or isopropyl alcohol or by holding them over a flame.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a flea and tick shampoo if you find several ticks in your search.

• Obtain a tick collar from your veterinarian. Also ask about anti-tick products that you can apply to your pet's skin.

• Contact your veterinarian if you suspect that your pet has been infected with Lyme disease. The most common symptoms are a rash (visible if you part the hair), followed by recurring joint pain (which the pet may manifest by limping).