Ticks happen to the best of us, and even the most vigilant pet owner can find themselves dealing with a tick-borne disease.
A lot of people don’t know what to do when their dog gets a tick, but it’s important to know how to treat your pup in this situation because some ticks are more dangerous than others.
Ticks are a common problem for pet owners, but they can be treated with an over-the-counter medication and prevented by using a monthly preventative. If you do find one on your dog, use tweezers or a flea comb to get it off without crushing it.
First Step when dealing with ticks
The first step is figuring out whether or not you need treatment for your dog.
In order to make that decision, you’ll want to figure out what kind of tick it is.
All ticks carry diseases, but some are much more serious than others.
Some dog breeds have an increased risk of contracting Lyme disease from certain types of ticks; so if your breed falls into this category, then you should take extra care to remove the tick.
If you’re not sure what kind of ticks your dog has, then it’s best to consult a veterinarian for advice on how and when treatment should be administered – but if there are no symptoms yet or they don’t seem too serious (your dog is acting normal), here’s some general information about removing them:
Ticks can only feed once before falling off their host, so as soon after finding one on your dog, you should get rid of it by using tweezers with sharp points at each end in order pull gently upwards until the tick is removed.
Don’t squeeze the tick and make sure that you pull all of it out.
What are ticks?
Ticks are small, eight-legged parasites that feed on the blood of mammals.
They can be found in tall grasses and brushy areas where they wait for their prey – usually deer or other animals such as dogs (or humans).
Once bitten by one it is important not only remove the tick but also to treat the dog for any potential diseases it might have.
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Are Ticks Dangerous To Dogs
Yes – if bitten by a tick, your dog could contract Lyme disease.
This is transmitted by the bite and can cause joint pain or arthritis in dogs as well as fever from time to times (though not always).
Ticks can make dogs seriously ill and, in some severe cases can be fatal.
If you have any doubts about your dog’s health after he has been bitten by a tick then you should always consult your vet.
What Do Ticks Look Like On Dogs
They are usually smallish brown bugs that have eight legs with two front pincers used for grabbing onto their prey – so they tend be found on ears or necks where hair doesn’t grow but also anywhere else like behind joints!
Other common areas are armpits, tummies and around the base of the tail.
Preventative measures for ticks
Probably the easiest and safest ways of dealing with ticks is to make sure that you give your dog an over the counter preventative such as Frontline.
Your vet can prescribe this or you can buy it on Amazon for quick delivery.
Final Words
Ticks are horrible creatures that can cause problems for dogs if they are not dealt with promptly.
They are common in upland areas of the UK and other countries and can be prolific in summer months.
Always take the time to check your dog for ticks and use preventative treatments to reduce the risks of ticks.
