I was going through some of my contacts' starred questions just now and came across a question posted by the member "oiceyfreeze" regarding removing a tick.
Here is the question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av4OIibpJp7GTD_kM8kQgmzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071023164305AAyhTrw&show=7#profile-info-e79c946a25d8634e23d75e0657a43f49aa
I was shocked to see how many thumbs up and thumbs down were awarded, shocked at some of the answers given, and shocked at how angry people became.
So, here is MY question: How do YOU remove ticks on your dogs? Does it work? What hasn't worked?
And please, lay off the thumbs people.
2007-10-24 05:21:45 · 15 answers · asked by M44Woods 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hi m44woods! I did answer the question last night and was one of the lucky ones with thumbs down and smart remarks :)
Here is the proper way to remove ticks... like I mentioned last night it is best to use tweezers (or your fingers) and gently grab as close to the head as possible, you want to slowly pull the tick out horizontally (not straight up) from skin without squishing he body. IF the head or part of the head is left behind that is FINE. It will NOT get infected and your dogs body will work the rest of the tick out itself.
You do not want to use Vaseline, a match, or any other means. Vaseline will eventually suffocate the tick, however, it can take anywhere from 4-48 hours!!! If a tick is attached for 24 hours or more then your dog is at great risk of contracting a tick born disease (Lymes for example).
You also do not want to squish the tick. Here is the reason: the bacteria that causes Lymes Disease (and the other tick born diseases Ehrlicha and Anaplasma) lives in the salivary glands of the tick. If you squish the tick the tick will regurgitate (they literally “throw up”) the infected saliva into your dogs blood stream, causing them to contract a tick born disease. You also do not want to use a match because in the process of burning the tick they immediately regurgitate under the stress, causing the same process as above.
And incase you are wondering why a tick needs to be attached for 24 hours or more for them to contract a tick born disease or two is because at that point the tick is so engorged with blood that they regurgitate (again- infected salvia) and fall off.
Ok, that is MY two cents =)
2007-10-24 05:36:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
I just get a stack of paper towels and fold them together, grab the tick gently and pull straight back out. After that I squash the tick in the paper and throw it away.
If the tick is irritated or shocked by anything, it is more likely to throw up what is in its body into the dog's body so it is best to treat it gently. If the mouthparts do not come out then, the body's own defense mechanisms will push it out over time.
I like the towels because I can never find tools when I need them.
2007-10-24 05:57:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
My dog had ticks, I took him to the vet and he removed them with tweezers. The trick is grabbing the tick at the base of the head so you do not just remove the body.... the head can still bury and it can get infected. Since the vets I've taken wilderness courses and they have all said use tweezers
2007-10-24 05:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by Kat 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rubbing alcohol is the best thing to use! The reason why is b/c the alcohol will allow the tick to release its grip on your dogs so you can pull it out without having to worry about its head staying in. You just rub/poor a little bit on the spot where teh tick is garb some tweezers and pull. Then of course rub alittle bit more on the area the tick was at so there no infection happens.
Also just pulling it out with tweezers alone, the tick's head will most likely stay stuck. Thats the blunt reality!
2007-10-24 05:51:42 · answer #4 · answered by pierced_chick123 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I hated each and every 2nd of it. Have only at the instant placed my 10 month previous lady right into a nursery, and that is made me very annoying. only hoping the united kingdom nurseries they confirmed are the very worst, and not a regular mirrored image. If somebody dealt with my little lady like that i could heavily do something i could (or would possibly not) experience sorry approximately.
2016-10-04 12:07:59 · answer #5 · answered by clarice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. I work at Petco and we sell a tick removal kit for like a buck or something, people come back all the time and say it works. It's just one easy tool that sorta prongs the tick out. then there's like antibiotics and stuff for bleading or whatever.
2007-10-24 05:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Too many people are STILL under the mistaken idea that you cannot remove the thing with tweezers. They STILL think that the head will be left and cause some raging infection and kill the dog!!!!!!!!
That is why vets STILL get so many calls (emergency calls too!) about ticks!!!!
If people would just pull the tick out and get on with life, things would be fine!!!
2007-10-24 05:38:44 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I've never had to pull a tick out, but if this was something I was every majorly concerned about, I would call my vet to double check.
However, I trust and respect Vet Tech (an above answerers) opinions, and I believe she is correct on this matter.
2007-10-24 06:11:03 · answer #8 · answered by Kristin B © 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I usually just grab the little bugger as close to the skin as I can and pull it out. From there it gets either burned, flushed, or put in a baggy with rubbing alcohol.
2007-10-24 05:31:10 · answer #9 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I just grab them and _gently_ pull. If the tick's head comes off, then I get out tweezers and antiseptic stuff.
Works on _me_ too.
2007-10-24 05:34:40 · answer #10 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋