Removing a tick in a dog raises a lot of debate - obviously, it has to be done, but is it done the same as for a human, or otherwise? Is it possible to try to remove a tick from a dog on your own, or is it better to go to the vet right away? And if you remove a tick from a dog yourself, how?
The topic " How to remove a tick from a dog , simple and safe" always arouses emotions among pet owners. Why? Because ticks transmit many diseases that are dangerous not only to humans, but also to dogs.
The most dangerous among them is undoubtedly babesiosis , because in the absence of appropriate treatment, it can lead to the death of the animal within a few days. Other tick-borne diseases are:
- erlichioza ( Ehrlichia canis )
- anaplasmosis ( Anaplasma phagocytophilum )
- bartonellosis ( Canine bartonellosis )
- borreliosis ( Borrelia burgdorferi ,B.afzelliiB.garinii )
- European tick-borne encephalitis ( Alphavirusfrom the familyFlaviviridaed.Arboviridae )
- Dirofilarioza ( Dirofilaria immitis ,Dirofilaria repenes )
- Mycoplasma haemocanis
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for any of the diseases that a tick can transmit to a dog.The only thing you can do is prevent ticks from biting your petby using chemical preparations, and in the event of a bite, try to remove the parasite from the skin as soon as possible.
However, before removing the tick, you have to find it first, which is not that easy, especially in longhaired dogs.
In this article you will learn:
- How to reduce the risk of tick bites? VIDEO
- How to find a tick in a dog?
- How to remove a tick from a dog?
- What not to do when you notice a tick bitten into your dog?
- Why be careful?
How to reduce the risk of tick bites? VIDEO
How to find a tick in a dog?
Ticks ( Ixodes ricinus ) are active from the first warm spring days until the first frost. In addition, they live not only in forests and fields, but also in city parks or on lawns - they like uncut grass and nearbythickets and bushes.
Thereforein the "tick" season it is worth brushing the dog thoroughly after each longer walk.
When brushing, keep an eye out for ticks - remember that before they feed on your dog and in the initial period after being pierced into the skin, they are really small - like a sesame seed.
Take special care of the groin, elbows, eyes, ears and mouth area, skin under the collar and under the tail- ticks like dark and moist places.
If you are unlucky (the dog has not been properly secured), you can find even a dozen parasites after one walk. What to do then?
According to an expertdr inż. Jacek Wilczak, nutrition expert in the Noteć Valley, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life SciencesHow can diet help to treat a dog's tick-borne disease?
Tick-borne diseases most often manifest themselves in a sudden weakening of the body and a lack of appetite. As systemic diseases, they switch off individual body functions. The basic management is pharmacological treatment and focuses on removing pathogens.
Dietary management is introduced at the beginning of the appearance of the first symptoms of he alth improvement. It mainly consists in providing an easily digestible diet with an increased content of wholesome protein.
Nutritional state, the marker of which is, inter alia, increasing serum albumin is the main factor increasing the rate of recovery.
The diet of the dog, especially during the convalescence period, should include sources of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, which is a factor that stimulates erythropoiesis. You should also remember to provide the right amount of carbohydrates, which guarantee the proper metabolic transformation of proteins and fats.
How to remove a tick from a dog?
A tick can be removed with tweezers, a special tool for removing ticks, bought at a pharmacy or vet, or simply with your fingers (it is recommended to wear gloves before direct contact with the parasite). You will also need some disinfectant.
Removing a tick from a dog step by step:
- catch the tick as close to the skin as possible- in the lasso tweezers, you simply put a loop on and release the button
- be careful- do not squeeze the abdomen, do not tug, so as not to tear off the head of the parasite, which will increase the risk of infection
- with a vigorous movement, twist the tick- do not tear it out, as it usually ends with the parasite's head stuck in the skin
- disinfectparasite injection site
- burn the tick or throw it in the toilet- do not crush it, or you will spread the germs
What not to do when you notice a tick bitten into your dog?
- try not to touch the tick with your fingers
- do not crush the tick
- do not grease the tick
- do not apply nail polish to the tick
- do not lubricate the tick with gasoline
- do not rub alcohol on the tick
- don't set the tick on fire! (yes, some people have such ideas as well)
Why be careful?
BoA brutally treated tick returns the stomach contents (that is, it simply vomits) into the dog's bloodstream , passing on all the diseases it is carrying.
If the tick is located in a difficult to reach or extremely delicate place (inside the ear or genitals), it is better to go to the vet immediately.
If you are afraid that you will not be able to remove the tick completely or that you have just failed - take your dog to the vet. Leaving a part of the tick in the skin may additionally lead to the development of inflammation.
ImportantHow to protect your dog from ticks?
It is not that difficult - it is enough to choose one of the preparations, many of which are available on the market. Among them, the most popular are:
- anti-tick collar- usually protects against other parasites, it is best to buy it at a pet store or vet to guarantee its effectiveness
- drops for ticks- they contain substances that damage the tick's nervous system, but are safe for pets and people, after application you cannot bathe your dog for 2 days
- tick spray- its effectiveness depends on the careful distribution of the agent
- tick pills- they work from 4 to 12 weeks, but may cause digestive disorders in some dogs