By eHow Pets Editor
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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.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 While many of these things are effective in getting a tick to let go, they tend to make the tick regurgitate before doing so. Since the pathogens ticks carry tend to reside in the gut, this is exactly what you don't want them to do! Ticks should only be removed by carefully pulling them straight out.
Anonymous said
on 1/2/2006 Don't smother the tick with Vaseline, nail polish, mineral oil, or anything else. If the tick is smothered, it may regurgitate the blood mixed with its own toxins back into your pet which can, of course, increase the risk of disease. The tweezer method is best. Approach from the side, rather than the back, and be patient. Slower is better as you will be less likely to leave the head behind. If your dog is difficult, use a tissue, grab the tick at it's base and try not to pop the body. Clean the site, the tweezers, and your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol after you flush the tick. Flush or burn, don't just squish it as ticks are hard to kill and may survive. Good luck.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 One word of advice - Never use the old remedy of applying heat (such as a match head or a cigarette) to a tick to get it to release. Researchers have found that ticks treated this manner will frequently spit up before they release, thereby transferring any pathogens they may be carrying into the host. The whole purpose of removing the tick is to prevent this from happening, so don't use heat under any circumstances. It's better to leave the tick where it is for a short while, until you can remove the tick properly.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When you remove a tick from your animal, bring the tick in a jar or plastic bag and submit it to your veterinarian. Some clinics send ticks off to be tested for Lyme disease.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Watch when washing Fido's blanket. I wash Fido's bedding every week during tick season, and those friendly ticks hang on. I put the bedding over the fence, check carefully, use tweezers, and squeeze until the ticks are cut in half.