It’s relatively easy to find a tick on a human body, since we are mostly hairless. However, if you have a pet and live in an area with a heavy tick infestation, you have to look out for ticks on your furry friend as well.
Finding a tick on your dog
Dogs will usually have ticks on their head, ears, neck and feet. This is because ticks will attach themselves onto a dog when the dog walks through vegetation. The tick will wait on taller vegetation for an animal or a human to pass, at which point it will either drop or climb onto their prey. In order to find a tick, run your hands through your dog’s hair in the common bite areas, and if there is a tick latched on, it should feel as a small bump on the skin. If you look at this bump, it should be reddish or dark brown in coloration.
Removing the tick
To remove the tick, you can use specialized tick-removal devices that you can find in almost every pet store. Alternatively, you can use a pair of tweezers. Once the tick is located, part the dog’s fur and get your tick removing tool. Grab the tick close to the skin, but do not squeeze it too hard, as it may release tainted blood and increase the risk of infection. Start pulling the tick using continuous pressure, and once it is out, make sure that there are no parts left into the skin. Finally, rub over the area with some disinfectant, such as rubbing alcohol or even soapy water.
Protecting your dog against tick bites
Ticks carry a number of dangerous diseases and they increase the risk of various infections. This is why it’s important to make sure that your dog is protected from tick bites if you live in an area with a heavy tick population. There are a number of products on the market for this purpose. You have spot on treatments, collars and tablets to name just a few. It’s best to consult your vet before you make your choice, and be careful not to use dog products for your cat, because they may be lethal to it.
If you suspect that the ticks may be coming from your property, then it’s best to call a pest control specialist who can help you remove them. Contact us today to set up an appointment.