My Dog ​​is Full Of Ticks. How Can I Remove Them?

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors in areas where ticks like to hang out, you should regularly check your dog for any stuck in its fur. Often repellents do not effectively prevent this type of parasite. That’s why it’s very important that you watch your furry friend regularly. 

Remember that a tick takes 24 to 48 hours to transmit an infection to your dog, so it is important to remove it quickly. Below we give some tips for you to do this.

Make sure your dog has no ticks

Firstly, it is very important that you check your pet.

To accomplish this, slowly run your fingers around your dog’s body. If you feel a lump or swelling, make sure there are no ticks there.

Don’t limit your search to your pet’s torso region: look between the toes, under the armpits, inside the ears and around the face and chin.

Don’t look for ticks only on members of your canine family. Dogs cannot directly transmit diseases caused by ticks to people, but ticks can pass from one host to another.

These parasites can enter your home through one of your dogs and go to another pet or to humans, or they can get involved with you and then go to one of your animals.

In this regard, a good prevention strategy includes reviewing all family members, especially after taking a walk outdoors under shady trees or green areas.

How to identify a tick?

Ticks can be black or brown, they have eight legs. They are arachnids and are related to spiders; they can be small, like a pinhead, or big, like a bean.

In some areas, where there is often a deep winter, ticks are active year-round, not just in the summer months. Even in regions where there is freezing, by the arrival of winter, ticks survive and can become active as long as the climate becomes hot.

How do I remove ticks?

If you find a tick on your dog, don’t worry. Follow these steps to remove them easily and quickly:

Step 1: Get the equipment

• Pair of gloves;
• Pliers or a tick remover;
• Antiseptic;
• Alcohol.

Step 2: Carefully remove the tick

Wear gloves when removing the tick to avoid contact with the skin, as it can also transmit diseases to people.

If you are using tweezers:

As close as possible to your dog’s fur, grasp the tick with tweezers. Be careful not to pinch your pet’s fur.

Take it out with a steady, straight-line motion, making sure all the tick is removed at once, if any part remains it could cause an infection.

If you are using a tick remover :

Gently press the remover against your dog’s skin near the tick.

Slide the tick remover notch under the tick.

Continue to slide the extractor until the tick catches on it.

Step 3: Store the tick

Place the tick in a small container of alcohol. The liquid will quickly kill you. Then store it, if necessary, in a closed container.

Why is it important to keep the tick? Your dog may show symptoms of a tick-borne disease, so your veterinarian will need to identify the type of tick responsible.

Step 4: Congratulate your patient

Thoroughly clean your dog’s skin with an antiseptic and be sure to clean your tweezers with alcohol. Wash your hands with soap and then give your puppy something like a delicious treat.

Don’t forget to pay attention to the area where the tick was found. If the skin is irritated or infected, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet checked.

Finally, be aware of your dog’s health, as he may be able to show symptoms of tick-borne illnesses. Some of them can be:

• Arthritis or lameness, lasting between three and four days;
• Difficulties in moving;
• Swelling of the joints;
• Fever;
• Fatigue;
• Swollen lymph nodes;
• Loss of appetite;
• Neurological problems.