What to do if a dog has picked up a tick? - briefly
Use fine‑pointed tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady pressure, avoiding squeezing the body. Disinfect the bite site, wash hands, and monitor the dog for signs of infection or illness, contacting a veterinarian if any symptoms develop.
What to do if a dog has picked up a tick? - in detail
When a tick attaches to a dog, immediate removal reduces the risk of disease transmission.
First, locate the parasite. Part the fur around the bite site with fingers or a comb, exposing the tick’s body.
Use a fine‑pointed, stainless‑steel tick‑removal tool or tweezers with narrow tips. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, avoiding pressure on the abdomen. Apply steady, downward traction; do not twist or jerk, which can leave mouthparts embedded.
After extraction, place the tick in a sealed container with alcohol for identification, if required by a veterinarian. Clean the bite area with a mild antiseptic solution; rinse with water and pat dry.
Observe the dog for the next 30 days. Record any of the following signs: fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint swelling, lameness, or unusual bruising. If any symptom appears, contact a veterinary professional promptly.
Preventive measures include:
- Year‑round use of veterinarian‑approved tick preventatives (topical, oral, or collar formulations).
- Regular inspection of the coat after walks in tick‑infested areas.
- Maintenance of the yard: keep grass trimmed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawn and forested zones.
- Vaccination against tick‑borne diseases where available.
If removal is difficult, or if the tick is engorged and large, seek veterinary assistance to ensure complete extraction and appropriate follow‑up treatment.