How to remove ticks from a dog's ear? - briefly
Grasp the tick with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the ear canal as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, then disinfect the site and observe for signs of irritation.
How to remove ticks from a dog's ear? - in detail
Removing ticks from a canine’s ear requires a systematic approach to prevent injury and ensure complete extraction.
First, prepare the necessary tools: fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal hook, disposable gloves, antiseptic solution (e.g., povidone‑iodine), sterile gauze, and a sealed container for disposal.
Next, follow these steps:
- Restrain the dog securely, using a second person if needed, to keep the head steady.
- Examine the ear canal and outer folds for attached ticks; a flashlight can improve visibility.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible with tweezers, avoiding compression of the body.
- Apply steady, upward pressure to pull the tick straight out; do not twist or jerk, which can leave mouthparts embedded.
- After removal, inspect the site for remaining parts; if any are visible, repeat the extraction with the same technique.
- Clean the area with antiseptic, then dab with sterile gauze to stop minor bleeding.
- Place the tick in the sealed container, add a few drops of alcohol, and label with the date for potential veterinary examination.
Additional precautions:
- Conduct the procedure within a short time frame; prolonged attachment increases pathogen transmission risk.
- Monitor the dog for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge) or systemic illness (fever, lethargy) in the following days.
- If the ear is inflamed or the tick is deeply embedded, seek veterinary assistance promptly.
Proper disposal and hygiene—washing hands thoroughly after the procedure—reduce the chance of secondary contamination.
Regular ear inspections, especially after outdoor activities in tick‑prone areas, minimize future infestations.