Ugh! Ticks are disgusting aren´t they? They burrow their mouthparts into the skin and suck blood until they are as fat as they can be. Then the tick falls off and lays eggs and new little ticks hatch. Worst of all, the ticks can transmit disease such as Lymes and ehrlichiosis to your pet and to you.

To remove ticks, you can spray your dog with a flea and tick pyrethrin spray or rubbing alcohol prior to pulling them off. Use a pair of tweezers and grasp the tick by the head as close to the dog´s skin as possible and steadily pull straight away from the skin. Usually the mouthparts slide out of the skin. Clean the site with some alcohol and disinfecting soap. I usually put a little dot of antibiotic ointment at the site. Wash your hands after handling anything the tick touched and put rubbing alcohol on the tick. Diseases can be transferred to you just by handling the tick.

If you walk your dog in known tick areas with tall grasses and underbrush, inspect your dog for the little hitchhikers before entering the house. Look between the toes, around the ears, in the areas between the legs, body wall and anal area. Use tick preventatives to help prevent infestations with ticks like Advantix, Frontline and tick collars.

Your veterinarian should at least annually check your dog for infections with a three–in–one test that checks simultaneously for heartworms, borrelia burgdorferi (Lymes) and canine ehrlichiosis.

It is a good idea to use short acting flea and tick sprays on the underside and legs of your dog before going on a walk. As always, read the labels on the products and use safely. Vaccinate your dogs against Lymes disease if you live in an area with this problem. Most states in the US have reported cases of Lymes disease according to the Center for Disease Control.

Sharon E. Anderson, DVM

Sharon E. Anderson, DVM, answers medically-related questions, but will not attempt to diagnose or recommend specific treatments. Her advice is not meant to replace professional care. If your pet is ill, contact your veterinarian immediately.