Ticks are one of the most common insect parasites affecting dogs. They attach themselves to their skin, feed on their blood, and refuse to detach. During the summer, the number of these mites can quickly increase, leaving your pet with itchy rashes.
Have you recently adopted a pooch? Have you noticed that they're constantly scratching? There's a good chance they're suffering from a tick infestation. To help them regain their well-being, there are several solutions available to you. These include tick removal.
Be careful not to miss them, though. These pests can move very quickly and get lost in your dog's fur. Here's everything you need to know to successfully remove a tick from your dog's fur.
What is a tick?
Before answering the question of how to remove a tick from a dog , it is worth making a little clarification. Contrary to what you might think, the terms tick and flea do not refer to the same thing. The tick is a mite-type insect that generally measures between 3 mm and 1 cm. It is found in almost all environments and particularly in places crowded with tall grass (gardens, parks, forests, etc.).
Unlike most creatures, it has very sharp mouthparts and hooks. These allow it to attach itself to your dog's fur and remain there for days or even weeks, sucking its blood.
In France, there are three main genera of ticks. These are Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Rhipicephalus mites. The first is widespread throughout the country. The second is most commonly found in southeastern France near meadows and rivers. The third is most commonly found in kennels and gardens.
Why should you remove ticks from your pet's fur?
If you're wondering why you should remove this insect from your pet's scalp, there are many reasons. Among them, your pet's comfort and well-being stand out.
But in reality, ticks don't just colonize your pet's skin, neck, black legs, and abdomen. They also pump blood in significant quantities. When their numbers are high, an infected dog can quickly become weak and unhealthy.
In most cases, tick bites also cause lesions and itching. As a result, your pet feels uneasy and unhappy. They scratch constantly, leading to more serious rashes, erythema, and sores.
As if that weren't enough, ticks are insect vectors of numerous germs and pathogens. Indeed, while feeding, they ingest a variety of microbes. These include pathogens responsible for Ehrlichiosis, piroplasmosis, and Lyme borreliosis. During a new infestation, they can transmit these bacteria to dogs, cats, and kittens through regurgitation.
If you want your pets to enjoy excellent health and grow well, you must rid them of these pests as quickly as possible. However, be sure to do so with the utmost care. Being extremely tenacious, removing them is not painless for your dog.
Removing a tick from your dog: what are the right steps to take?
Now that you know what a tick is and why it's essential to remove it as soon as possible, you're probably wondering how to go about it. Remember, you shouldn't just jump in blindly. There are several steps you should take. Here are a few.
Protect yourself properly before taking action
The first step you should take before removing a tick from your dog's coat is to protect yourself properly. Ticks aren't just harmful to pets. They can also bite and infect humans without their knowledge, giving rise to all sorts of vector-borne diseases of bacterial origin. Among these is Lyme disease.
It is caused by the presence and proliferation of Borrelia bacteria in the mite. Diagnosis is difficult and generally leaves serious after-effects (skin disorders, damage to the nervous system, heart, and joints). Before you start, make sure to wear protective equipment that covers your entire body. Gloves, long clothing, pants, and socks are strongly recommended.
Tick and flea : how to tell the difference?
Aside from wearing protective gear, you should also make sure it's actually a tick before you do anything. In fact, ticks aren't the only insect responsible for skin diseases in dogs. Itchy, red rashes on dogs can also be a sign of a flea infestation .
Don't confuse the two mites. Ticks are smaller (3 mm to 1 cm) and cannot jump. Fleas, on the other hand, are larger and move faster by jumping. To determine the pest, don't hesitate to examine your pet's coat for these characteristics. For more information on fleas, you can also read our article: How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Dog?
Using tick tweezers
Once you're sure you're dealing with ticks, you can proceed with the removal. It's best not to do this by hand. These creatures can quickly slip and escape. To remove them properly, use specific tools liketick tweezers and tweezers .
While both instruments are suitable for removing mites, it should be noted that they are not equally effective. Tick tweezers , or tick pullers, due to their hook shape, safely remove the entire insect (head and legs) in one simple movement. Tweezers , on the other hand, if mishandled, can leave the tick's rostrum embedded in your dog's skin and cause abscesses and infectious diseases.
Request veterinary assistance
Regardless of the extent of the infestation, be sure to seek the assistance of a veterinarian. As a specialist, they will be sure to help you remove any ticks that threaten your dog's health with tweezers.
In the event of cyst formation or the appearance of symptoms (fever, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite), he will also be able to administer the appropriate care and cure the patient. Indeed, he has all the necessary equipment at his disposal. Cotton swabs, betadine, petroleum jelly, and antibiotic tablets are just a few examples among many others.
How is tick removal actually done?
Have you noticed a lot of ticks on your dog's fur? Are you wondering how to remove these pests from your pet's fur? There are several steps you'll need to follow. First, you should bathe your dog. This has the added benefit of reducing the arachnids' movement.
Next, you need to carefully inspect your purebred dog's coat for these critters. To do this, it's essential that your pooch remains calm. Don't hesitate to use a tick brush or comb to clear the area under examination. Typically, ticks prefer to be found on:
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the abdomen
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the back
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armpits
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the neck
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the head
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the ears
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the torso
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the legs
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and the tail
So be sure to examine these areas carefully. As soon as you spot a bump or an oval-shaped object, stop. It's definitely a tick. Take your tick tweezers and place the tip under the mite's head. If the hook size doesn't match the tick's size, change to another model. The tick's head should be firmly seated in the tool's groove.
The next step is to gently turn the tick remover counterclockwise. Do this several times without pulling. This should naturally and painlessly detach the tick, along with its legs and rostrum. As a precaution, however, be sure to ensure that the entire mite has been removed. No part should be left behind.
Automatically eliminate the removed critter by wrapping it in paper or tape and throwing it into a fire. To destroy each tick, you can also submerge it in a jar filled with alcohol. It must be properly submerged to prevent it from escaping. Also, remember to clean the area with a suitable disinfectant and antiseptic products. Repeat this process until you have covered your dog's entire coat. You have now rid your companion of these blood-sucking critters.
Are there other solutions to get rid of ticks?
If you don't have tick tweezers at your disposal, there are several other solutions for removing these critters from your purebred dog's coat. These include cleaning your pet with tick shampoo . This very simple treatment has the particularity of sleeping, stunning the mites and forcing them to detach themselves from your dog's fur.
To rid your companion of ticks, you can also use veterinary products. Generally available in the form of a spray, a pad or even a solution, these are real anti-tick and anti-flea medications. So don't hesitate to choose one of these. You can also opt for an anti-parasite collar or an anti-flea collar available in our store.
Don't hesitate to check out our selection of flea control products for dogs to help you fight this scourge. Unlike other solutions, a flea collar plays an important role in both prevention and treatment. Whichever option you choose, be sure to collect and destroy the treated pests. In some cases, they can survive and reinfect your pet.
Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.
