I just found a tick on my dog. What should I do??? Will the ticks spread??
2007-05-15 08:35:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had the same problem when I got my dog at a shelter...he was full of them...not just one. I used Frontline and it really did the trick, but in addition to that, still check your dog for ticks from time to time. They like to hide between your dogs toes, behind the ears, behind the neck, behind the arms...any place that is warmer on your dog is a nice "home" for a tick.
I had no idea what they were when he was a puppy and the vet recommended Frontline at that time. Additionally, she suggested to get rid of the current ticks on him (they do lay eggs and spread...and it doesn't take very long for the number to increase). To take them off, dip a Q-tip or cotton swab in some rubbing alcohol then lightly touch the tick with it. Basically this just stuns the tick, then get some tweezers and make sure to grab the tick at the very base where it is attached to your dog's skin...then pull very firmly and quickly to get the tick detached. REALLY IMPORTANT: It is NOT a good idea to use your own fingers to pull off the tick...the tick could bite you and you may pull it off incorrectly, leaving the head of the tick still there!! That becomes much more difficult to remove!!
Depending on where you live, some ticks do not carry disease. But then again, some do and its not a gamble I was willing to take...plus they suck the blood from your dog and who wants that!!? Painful and annoying for them, and harmful if they spread or increase in number.
Once you have removed the tick, crush it with something...I would put it in a tissue and crush (kill) it with the back end of the tweezer...you'll here a popping sound. Then flush it down the toilet. If your dog has been indoors or on your bed, carpet, etc. you need to get a household spray that you can spray on the carpets and furniture to make sure you kill all possible ticks. I remember after 2 weeks of ridding my dog of ticks, I found 3 in my bathroom and 1 in my bedroom on the carpet. It reallly freaked me out. They lay eggs and sometimes that can even be in the carpet if your dog sleeps on the floor. I bought a spray made by Hartz to kill ticks/fleas...it is NOT to be used on your dog, only on carpet and household stuff. Keep your dog out for a least an hour or two after you've sprayed to make sure it has dried.
I've heard some people say that using the rubbing alcohol is not a good idea....but I used it and it worked fine. You don't have to use it, but it made my life easier and I did it lots of times. Tweezers are super important, however. And...get the Frontline. Make sure to get the right amount for the size of your dog for it to work. Do not use flea/tick collars...they do not work and are not entirely safe. Good luck!
2007-05-15 08:46:21 · answer #1 · answered by beatle14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get ahold of the tick close to where it is attached to your dog. pull slowly on it so the head doesn't breakoff when you get it out flush it down the toilet. The tick is a critter they have to hatch others in order to spread and it is not likely that has happened. You can buy something for your yard at the garden center at wal-mart or somewhere else that has a garden center. Oh, ticks don't carry diseases. We live in southern Oklahoma and ticks are just an everyday occurrence.
2007-05-15 08:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by WRF 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most certainly you need to remove the tick. IF possible the easiest way is to spread Vaseline over the area. As ticks put their heads into the skin and suck the blood, but they breathe through their sides. When you cover them with Vaseline they can't breathe so they back out.
If you try pulling them out with tweezers you leave the head in and that could create infection.
Then just flush the tick away.
2007-05-15 09:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by pipki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its spring. Ticks are in the bushes. get a good tick and flea repellent like "frontline" and put the drops on your dog. All ticks and fleas will die or fall off. Keep him protected because ticks can carry diseases that affect the animals joints and emune system.
2007-05-15 08:39:17 · answer #4 · answered by Meps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pull the tick off and get him some Frontline. Ticks spread disease.
2007-05-15 08:38:09 · answer #5 · answered by KDodge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely get the tick off and get some kind of tick repellant for him. My family mostly uses Front Line, but there are others. Your veterinarian should have some in stock.
2007-05-15 08:41:14 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't freak. to help prevent ticks you can buy a tick collar. the tick collar kills the ticks and they fall off. you can also buy things like Frontline. that kills the ticks before they even attach themselves to the dog. that type of stuff is expensive, especially for bigger dogs.
2007-05-15 09:35:16 · answer #7 · answered by someone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just pull it off. Right now it is holding on to yor dog with it's teeth and it's sucking blood out of your dog. Ticks carry diseases.
You can use your fingers and pull it off (then kill it) or use a pair of tweezers (then kill it).
2007-05-15 08:39:37 · answer #8 · answered by snakekeeper27 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋