A tick is on my Spitz; what should I do? - briefly
If a tick is attached to your Spitz, grasp it with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure until the whole mouthpart is removed. Disinfect the bite site, wash your hands, and watch the dog for fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite for the next few weeks.
A tick is on my Spitz; what should I do? - in detail
A tick has attached itself to your spitz. Immediate removal is essential to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
First, locate the parasite. Use a fine‑pointed pair of tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, at the head where the mouthparts enter. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid twisting or squeezing the body, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain embedded.
After extraction, inspect the bite site. If any part of the tick remains, gently clean the area with antiseptic and monitor for irritation. Disinfect the tweezers or tool with alcohol before and after use.
Store the removed tick in a sealed container with a small amount of alcohol or place it in a zip‑lock bag. This enables identification if symptoms develop later.
Observe your dog for the next 30 days. Watch for:
- Redness, swelling, or a rash at the bite site
- Lethargy, fever, loss of appetite
- Joint pain or limping
- Changes in behavior or neurological signs
If any of these signs appear, contact a veterinarian promptly. Provide the stored tick for possible laboratory analysis.
Prevent future infestations by following a regular tick‑control regimen:
- Apply a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral acaricide according to the product schedule.
- Check your dog’s coat daily after walks in grassy or wooded areas; remove any ticks immediately.
- Keep your yard trimmed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of mulch or wood chips away from the house.
- Consider a tick‑preventive collar for continuous protection.
Maintain vaccination and routine health checks, as a healthy immune system lowers the chance of severe tick‑borne disease.