We all love taking our dogs out into wooden environments where they are free to romp and run without the constraints of their leashes. While your dog is busy leaping through the brush and running through overgrown grassy meadows, he’s probably coming into contact with ticks. Ticks are literally lying in wait, hoping to find a home on the body of a warm-blooded animal. Follow these steps if your pet has become the host for a tick.
Step 1: If you’ve found a tick on your pet, it’s likely that you’re already performing regular checks for ticks and you’re already aware that your pet is at risk to come into contact with ticks. Before you perform such a check, you should put on gloves to reduce the contact that you’ll have with the tick.
Step 2: You will need tick tweezers or sharp pointed tweezers to remove the tick properly. It’s very important that you do not squeeze the tick or leave any part of the tick behind on your pet. In order to avoid making either of these mistakes, position the tweezers as close to the pet skin as possible.
Step 3: Pull the tick straight out from the pet’s skin in a steady motion. Pull the tick slowly, being careful not to extract only a portion of it. Do not attempt to twist or yank the tick from your pet’s body.
Step 4: If you wish to have the tick tested for harmful bacteria, you will need to place it in a jar with a screw lid, such as a mason jar.
Step 5: The only way to successfully kill a tick is to place it in a jar of alcohol. Many pet owners will tell you to flush the tick down the toilet but that is not effective in ridding yourself of the tick.
Step 6: Clean the affected area thoroughly and apply an antibiotic ointment. Keep an eye on the site of entry for a few days and call your vet if you notice any unusual changes to your pet and/or his skin.
Step 7: Dispose of the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.
Don’t be afraid to venture outside with your pet again. Your pet can come into contact with ticks even in a suburban setting. It’s a good idea to place your pet on a preventative medication that will help ward off ticks.
This article was provided by pet super store a pet supplies site featuring dog doors, dog crates, and pet crate pads.