Ticks are blood sucking parasites that can affect your dog, especially if he or she goes out in the countryside or grassy areas during summer and autumn months.
What is a Tick?
Ticks are blood sucking parasites. Most live in damp areas on plants and climb onto animals from time to time to feed. Dogs can pick them up on their coat whilst amongst the long grass or woodland. Once a tick takes a bite they then hang on to feed. When the tick first gets on your pet it is very small about the size of a pin head, but as they suck blood they start to swell and within a few days they will be about the size of a pea. This is usually the time you notice them and they can look like a bluish wart or growth. Once the tick has finished feeding it will let go and drop off the pet, usually they hang on for about a week. The most common tick found on dogs and cats is sheep and deer ticks.
Can ticks harm my pet?
Whilst ticks are feeding the skin around them can react and become quite sore. Sometimes this can lead to an infection. Ticks can also carry disease including Lyme disease and this can be passed to your pet.
Should I remove the tick?
Most animals will not remove the tick themselves even if it is making them sore. The longer the tick stays on your pet the more sore the skin will become. If there are only one or two ticks on your pet then you can try to remove them yourself, however if there are more you may want to see your vet for help. It is essential to take great care removing the ticks to ensure that the tick jaws are not broken off and left in your pet's skin. If parts are left then can cause a serious infection or skin reaction.
How do I remove a tick?
The head and jaws of the tick must be removed from the skin along with the tick's body. You may well have plenty of advice from well-meaning friends about the best way to remove a tick, e.g. burn it off, suffocate with butter etc but it has to be done properly to minimise infections and skin reactions.
Regular protection against ticks is great for prevention, Frontline Spot On or Effipro will kill ticks or prevent them. Although Frontline Spot On and Effipro for dogs is suggested to be used every 8 weeks, please note it is suggested that you apply this every 4 weeks if there is a tick problem in your area.
The O Tom tick remover is a common tool to safely remove ticks. It works by hooking the tick and then rotating it from the pet. This is the recommended way to remove ticks so that no body parts are left behind to cause infection.
Can I soothe the area where the tick was?
In most cases any soreness or swelling will go down over a couple of days. If the skin is very red you can use a mild antiseptic to soothe it. If the reaction looks very red or is weeping and doesn't get any better within a couple of days you need to discuss with your vet.
How can I protect my pet from Ticks?
Regular use of Frontline Spot On or Effipro will deter ticks from biting your pet. When your pet comes back from walks particularly during the summer or autumn check your pet and remove any ticks you find using the O Tom.
Pet Dispensary offers affordable Frontline Spot On, Effipro & O'Tom tick removers Click here
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