While ticks are not as prevalent in urban areas as in rural environments, they do exist in our region. Ticks thrive in bushy, overgrown areas and sometimes even backyards. If you discover a tick on your pet, you may be understandably alarmed. These tiny parasites are annoying and can transmit serious diseases to pets and people. So, what should you do if you find a tick on your furry friend? Our Stanton Pet Hospital team offers this guide to help you learn how to remove troublesome ticks from your pet’s skin. 

Preparation: Removing a tick from your pet’s skin

Any tick you find on your furry friend must be removed promptly because the longer they’re attached, the greater the chances of disease transmission. Before you remove the tick, gather the necessary tools:

  • Fine-tipped tweezers or a specialized tick removal tool
  • Gloves to protect yourself from the disease a tick may be carrying
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • A small container with a lid
  • Antiseptic wipes or solution

Step-by-step: Removing ticks from pets

After you have gathered the necessary tools, you are ready to remove the troublesome tick. You must remove a tick in a manner that ensures that you have removed all the tick’s parts. Follow these steps for safe tick removal:

  • Step 1: Wear gloves — Put on disposable gloves to avoid direct contact with the tick. Doing so protects you from tick-borne diseases.
  • Step 2: Use tweezers — Using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, grasp the tick as close as possible to your pet’s skin. Be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body, as this can cause it to release infected fluids into your pet’s bloodstream.
  • Step 3: Pull steadily — Pull the tick out with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk, as this can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain embedded in your pet’s skin.
  • Step 4: Check for pieces — After removal from your pet’s skin, examine the tick to ensure its head and mouthparts were removed entirely. If parts remain embedded in your pet’s skin, your furry friend will develop an infection.
  • Step 5: Disinfect after removal — After removing the tick from your pet, clean the bite area with antiseptic wipes or solutions to prevent infection.
  • Step 6: Save the tick — Place the tick in a small container with a lid and add rubbing alcohol to kill it. Saving the tick can be useful if your pet shows illness signs days, weeks, or months later. In addition, our Stanton Pet Hospital veterinarian may want to identify the type of tick and test it for diseases.

If you are unsure about removing the tick yourself or if you find multiple ticks, consult our veterinary team. We can safely remove the tick and advise you on the best tick-prevention strategies.

Monitor your pet for tick-borne illnesses

Keep an eye on your pet’s skin area where the tick was attached. Monitor your pet for any illness signs, including:

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Appetite loss
  • Intermittent lameness
  • Joint swelling or pain
  • Kidney dysfunction
  • Any unusual behavior

If you notice these signs, contact our Stanton Pet Hospital team promptly. These signs could indicate that your pet has a serious parasite-borne illness.

Preventing ticks from harming your pet

Protecting your pet from ticks and other parasites is crucial as these pests cause discomfort and transmit diseases. To protect your pet from ticks, follow these proactive measures:

  • Tick preventives — Use our veterinary team-recommended tick medications, including topical treatments, oral medications, or collars. Oral medications are the most effective method and come in flavored chewables that your furry friend will enjoy. While a collar may be a more affordable option, it is the least effective. 
  • Annual wellness exams — Scheduling annual or biannual wellness exams can give you peace of mind, knowing your furry pal is healthy and protected from parasites. During these exams, our team will screen your pet for parasites and parasitic illnesses and administer vaccines and parasite preventives.
  • Tick checks — Regularly check your pet for ticks, especially after spending time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas. Look for ticks in areas such as the armpit, tail base, inner thigh, and ears. You should check your furry pal for ticks at the end of each day, especially if they have been outdoors. 
  • Yard maintenance — Keep your yard well-maintained by mowing the grass and removing leaf litter where ticks like to hide. Remove weeds and tall ornamental grasses, which are prime tick habitats.

Ticks are a common nuisance, but we must coexist with them. You can minimize your pet’s tick bite risk through prevention and proper care. Always prioritize prevention by contacting our Stanton Pet Hospital team for parasite preventives tailored to your pet’s needs.