Dog Ticks are one of a dog owner's worst nightmares. They are attracted to heat and motion, and generally seek out mammals, such as dogs. Ticks are parasitic arthropods that sustain themselves by feeding off of their host. Although most tick bites do not result in disease, you can never be too careful. After taking your dog outside, search under the fur in case of a dog tick bite. The tick will look like a small black dot. To remove it from your dog's skin, please follow these steps:
- Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the head as possible
- Pull up with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick in order to not leave any tick mouth parts in the skin
- After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water
- Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet
Some dog ticks carry diseases, so make sure you search your dog thoroughly. The most common disease transmitted by ticks is Lyme Disease. If you notice that your dog is having joint or muscle pain, headaches, stiffness, fatigue, or a fever, please contact us to schedule an appointment, for these are symptoms of Lyme Disease.