Ticks

[Jango]

Any pointers on how to remove ticks. It's getting to be that time of year again and was curious on how to do this. Jango gets treated once a month but the only other post I read on this was after the tick or fleas gets enough poison they die. Do you leave them on or take the little boogers off!!!!!

[babybluetx23]

How to remove a tick - From http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/howto/httick.htm

How to safely remove a tick from your pet.
Difficulty Level: easy Time Required: 5 minutes
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Here's How:
Use latex exam gloves to examine your pet for ticks. Examine using good lighting.
Check your pet daily for ticks by thoroughly feeling for any lumps under the hair. Pay close attention to ears, around face, eyes, legs, and belly.
Ticks will range in size from the size of a sesame seed to the size of a fingernail (engorged).
When a tick is found embedded in the skin, use a fine pointed tweezers at the point of attachment, and grasp firmly. Remember to wear latex gloves when doing this.
Using slow, steady, and firm traction, pull the tick straight out from the skin.
Cleanse the skin with mild soap and water.
If part of the tick breaks off, you can try to remove it as you would a splinter, but it is probably best to leave it alone. The body will 'eject' it in time.
Place the tick in a jar of alcohol, noting the date, in case of future illness. Tick identification and location of tick infestation will be important.

Tips:
Do NOT use a match or caustic materials to try to smother the tick or get the tick to 'back out'. This doesn't work, and may be causing the tick to regurgitate more saliva (and potential pathogens) into the skin.
Talk to your vet about effective tick control (spray, powder, spot-on, or collar) for your pet.
Check pet daily, especially in the spring when ticks are most common

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by babybluetx23

Do NOT use a match or caustic materials to try to smother the tick or get the tick to 'back out'. This doesn't work, and may be causing the tick to regurgitate more saliva (and potential pathogens) into the skin.

This was the number one thing that our vet told us not to do.

[Mary Bouchard]

We have been going through a horrible tick season have treated the dogs and the yards and around the house and we still pulled 2-8 ticks off each dog nightly. They do die if they bite the dog but it takes awhile.

It is so bad here that the local animal humane society is giving lessons in the stores to personel on how to protect and treat tick infestation.

Our dogs love the nightly grooming however, I thank God we don't have carpets.

We have spent a fortune at the vets and landscape centers.