How to remove a tick with tweezers from a dog?

How to remove a tick with tweezers from a dog? - briefly

Grip the tick with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the dog’s skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure until the mouthparts release; avoid twisting or squeezing the body. Disinfect the bite site and wash your hands after removal.

How to remove a tick with tweezers from a dog? - in detail

Removing a tick from a canine with tweezers requires precision and sterility. Follow each step without delay.

  1. Prepare equipment. Use fine‑point, flat‑tip tweezers, antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine), disposable gloves, and a sealed container for the specimen. Disinfect the tweezers and wash hands thoroughly.

  2. Locate the parasite. Part the fur with fingers or a comb to expose the tick’s head and mouthparts. Identify the point where the feeding tube (hypostome) penetrates the skin.

  3. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Position the tweezers around the tick’s head, avoiding compression of the abdomen to prevent rupture.

  4. Apply steady, upward force. Pull straight out in a smooth motion; do not twist or jerk, which can leave mouthparts embedded.

  5. Inspect the removed tick. Ensure the entire mouthpart is present. If fragments remain, repeat the extraction on the residual piece.

  6. Disinfect the bite site. Apply antiseptic solution and monitor for redness or swelling over the next 24‑48 hours.

  7. Dispose of the tick safely. Place it in the sealed container, label with date and location, and discard according to local regulations. Clean and disinfect the tweezers before storage.

  8. Record the incident. Note the date, location, and any observed symptoms in the dog’s health log to aid future veterinary assessment.

Adhering to this protocol minimizes infection risk and maximizes the likelihood of complete removal.