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Simple daily tick routine could save your dog’s life and it only takes a few minutes
It’s currently tick season, and it’s really important for dog owners to know how to check for and safely remove the potentially deadly insect.
Ticks bite and feed on animals for up to a few days and carry a serious bacterial infection called Lyme disease which can make your dog seriously ill.
Simple dog tick routine
Certified dog trainer and expert Manuela Brumm from Woofz has shared a simple routine all dog owners should do regularly to find and get rid of ticks. In the summer months, you should do this daily.
- First, grab a set of tweezers or a tick removal tool, gloves, antiseptic, a fine-toothed comb, and a small zip-lock bag.
- Examine your dog’s entire body for ticks which are small, round and grey or brown in colour and look attached to the pet’s body. Pay extra attention to the: ears, around the eyes, neck, armpits, groin, around the tail, between the toes, under the paw pads, and around the toenails.
- If you find one, use the tweezers or tick removal tool to grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible.
- Most importantly, you need to remove the head. To do this, apply pressure to the skin by pushing down with the tweezers to get a good grip on the head.
- Pull steadily without twisting to ensure the whole tick, including its head, is removed. Avoid squeezing the body as this will push blood back in and potentially transfer diseases.
- Use a fine-toothed comb to remove the rest of the tick. Then, clean the bite area thoroughly with antiseptic to prevent any infection.
- Place the tick in a small bag with rubbing alcohol or flush it down the toilet to dispose of it.
- Monitor your dog for any signs of illness and contact your vet immediately if you have any concerns.
Ticks are most active between spring and autumn, and are common in woodland and grassland areas. Speaking of summer, here are some tips to keep your dog cool in the warmer months.
Lyme disease symptoms
Signs of tickborne disease, most commonly Lyme disease, may not appear for 7-21 days or longer after a tick bite so it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet.
As listed by the Humane Society of the United States, the most common symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Joint pain or swollen joints
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite or thirst
- Inflammation at or near a bite mark
- Neurological problems
Lyme disease is usually treated with antibiotics, but can be fatal if left untreated. It is advisable to give your dog a flea, tick and worm preventative treatment each month.
