What should I do if my dog has a tick?
I think my dog has a tick... what is the best way to get it out? he keeps itching, but I can't seem to find it!
4 Answers
If you do spot a tick, it is important to take care when removing it. Any contact with the tick’s blood can potentially transmit infection to your dog or even to you! Treat the area with rubbing alcohol and pluck the parasite with tweezers, making sure you’ve gotten the biting head and other body parts.
Comments
Yes and then drop the tick into a jar of alcohol. And spray the yard with malathion or dursban. Alternate the chemicals -- don't always use the same one.
Ticks and fleas both could make the dog itch and are hard to find. In a brightly lit area, using a flashlight if you slowly rub the fur in the opposite direction you may see or feel something. With a possible flea, flea combs are also a good resource. However, with a tick there is a real danger if you pull it wrong if it's embedded in the dog. If itching is the only issue you're observing, there's a very high probability it may not be fleas or ticks, but allergies. A lot of allergens are environmental (pollen, dust, dander) and with the changing seasonal weather many dogs are even more affected. Some allergens are also food based (so you may want to closely read the ingredients of any food,treats, etc. - especially watch for corn, wheat, soy, the list goes on and there's another post about that.)
Remove tick making sure all of the tick is removed. Sometimes the head of the tick stays in your dog. Clean the tick bite with an antiseptic. After tick is removed, make sure the bite doesn't get red or swollen.
remove it with a paper towel, but remember you get the head of the tick out! its important