How to Remove a Tick in a Dog

In August of 2011 the Standard Examiner reported on a bacteria found in ticks that could lead to severe complications.

Ticks can be very dangerous for both people and dogs. These little bloodsuckers come equipped with a blood thinner that keeps the blood from clotting. Their saliva also contains a neurotoxin that can cause paralysis in your dog if there are many of them. Removing ticks from your dog is not quite as simple as picking it off your dog's body. There are steps to safely removing a tick.

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers
• Scotch tape
• Topical antibiotic cream
• Rubbing alcohol (optional)

Instructions

1. Grab the tick by the head or just behind the head where it has attached itself to your dog's body. Use a tweezers to do this. If you use your fingers you run the risk of being bitten.

2. 

   Ticks await on the tops of high grasses until a warm body passes by.

   Pull gently backwards to remove the tick completely. If you pull too hard, you run the risk of separating the tick's head from its body. It's important to keep the tick intact.

3. 

   Use a tweezers to remove the tick.

   Place the tick on a piece of scotch tape and fold the tape over, trapping the tick, and dispose of it. Alternatively, you can drop the tick in a cup of rubbing alcohol.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check your dog for ticks after a long walk outside. Use products such as Frontline Plus or Advantix to keep your dog tick-free. Tick collars, with the exception of Preventic, usually don't work. You can also purchase tick-removal kits at the pet store.

• Don't use the methods described in old wives tales such as applying petroleum jelly, nail polish or a hot match to the tick. You will only cause further irritation on your dog's skin.

References

• Drs. Foster and Smith: How To Remove Ticks
• Centers for Disease Control: Tick Removal
• Standard Examiner: Dangerous New Bacteria Found in Ticks
• Stop Ticks: Tick Paralysis

Resources

• You Tube: How to Remove a Tick