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How to Remove a Tick

What should I do if I find a tick on me or my pet?

It is important to remove the tick as soon as possible. Use the following steps:

First of all do NOT suffocate or crush the tick.

Generally the tick will not exchange the saliva for blood in a period of less than 24-48 hours- And counter measures such as suffocating, don't always work to encourage ticks to detach from skin, and even if they do seemingly aid the process of removing the buggers, they may also make matters worse by stimulating the tick to release additional saliva or regurgitate their gut contents, acts that increase the chance of transmitting a pathogen to its host.
By "suffocating" the tick, you actually cause the tick to regurgitate and therefore cause the exchange of saliva - if the tick is carrying the spirochete for lyme, erlichiosis, Rocky Mt. spotted fever, etc. it may be readily transmitted even if attached for less than 24 hrs. After the tick is removed, DO clean the area...
  1. Use blunt tweezers, hemostat or gloved fingers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
  2. Gently pull the tick straight away from the skin.
  3. If the tick's head breaks off in the skin, use tweezers to remove it like you would a splinter.
  4. If you live where tick diseases are common, save the tick in a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. Your doctor can check it to see what kind of tick it is and what kind of infection it might carry. Otherwise, flush it in the toilet. Wash your hands.
  5. After removal wash the area around the bite with antibacterial soap.
  6. Call your doctor or vet if you have any questions or concerns.

Take care NOT to do the following:

  • Do not use sharp tweezers.
  • Do not crush, puncture, or squeeze the tick's body.
  • Do not use a twisting or jerking motion to remove the tick.
  • Do not handle the tick with bare hands.
  • Do not try to make the tick let go by holding a hot match or cigarette close to it.
  • Do not try to smother the tick by covering it with petroleum jelly, soap, rubbing alcohol, or nail polish.

http://caninecorner-bmd.com/main/files/caninecorner-bmd-com/Hemostat_0.jpg

Hemostat my "weapon of choice" for tick removal. These will soon be available for purchase via the store...

As of now, Frontline© seems to be working the "best," this year, anyway. I called "Frontline" to find out the protocal for application after a bath, they assured me, it can be applied as soon as the animal is dry, but do not recommend reapplying in fewer than 30 days. Because it is absorbed through the skin, once applied and dry it is waterproof and will not wash away in a bath. Therefore it may also be applied 24 hours prior to bathing as well.

I do offer flea and tick baths and dips. These leave residuals and I don't recommend applying a flea/tick preventative within 24-48 hours of such a treatment- only becuase I would hate for unforseen reaction to the interaction of the chemicals. If your pet is on a prventative, the baths and dips may not be necessary. Using as few toxins as possible on your pet is always best.

Be sure you apply your treatments per package directions. be sure to apply the preventative to the skin. Part the hair and then apply. Superficial applications, only wet the coat, leave an expensive residual on the coat that does little to protect your pet against parasites...,

Please be aware of your application. Topical treatments MUST be applied to the skin, not the coat. To avoid a superficial treatment, carefully part the hair so you can see the skin and then apply. I can also shave a small area under the guard hairs (unnoticeable) for ease of application.

If you have children, do not allow them to touch the pet in the applicated area for at least 24 hours. Always follow package instructions! When in doubt, call the toll-free number on the package or your vet.

"OOPS! I applied the preventative to the wrong pet!" Generally speaking, IF your dog is bigger than your cat, and you accidentally apply the cat application to the dog don't worry, but do call your vet...

HOWEVER if you accidentally applied the canine application to the cat- run to your vet or nearest emergency clinic...

Dogs Ticks and Lyme Disease: http://dogsandticks.com/

Frequently Asked Questions http://dogsandticks.com/faq/index.html