How to remove a tick from a small dog? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure until the mouthparts detach. Disinfect the area, clean the tweezers, and observe the dog for any signs of infection.
How to remove a tick from a small dog? - in detail
Prompt removal of a feeding parasite reduces risk of disease transmission.
Necessary items include fine‑pointed tweezers or a commercial tick extractor, disposable gloves, antiseptic solution, cotton swabs, and a sealed container for the specimen.
- Don gloves to prevent contamination.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, holding the mouthparts, not the body.
- Apply steady, upward pressure; avoid twisting or squeezing the abdomen.
- Continue until the entire organism separates from the host.
- Place the tick in the sealed container for identification if needed.
After extraction, cleanse the bite site with antiseptic and monitor for redness or swelling over the next 48 hours. If irritation persists, consult a veterinarian.
Routine prevention measures comprise monthly topical acaricides, regular grooming to detect attached parasites, and avoidance of dense vegetation where ticks are prevalent.