Found a Tick!

[mamamia1]

I thought the vet was crazy when he had me start Revolution on April 1st, but today I found the first tick on Kali. It's gonna be a bad year for ticks.

Question: I thought Revolution covered ticks as well, so what was this tick doing hanging on my girls's neck??

[TeamChaos]

Hi mamamia,

Just looking at the Revolution web site and it doesn't look like their product protects against ticks.

"Revolution

Stops fleas. Prevents heartworms.
Even the tiniest of pets can be fiercely protective of their owners, but all dogs need our help to protect them from parasites. Revolution® (selamectin) provides that help. Just a spot once a month provides protection against fleas, heartworms and other parasites. Ask your veterinarian about Revolution."

It does state that it "controls" American dog tick infestations, but that sounds more like an after-thought.

You may already know this, but if you do find a tick on your dog I found that a few drops of oil (olive oil) makes it easy to remove the tick. After only a couple of seconds, the tick backs right out and you can grab it with your tweezers.


TC

[moondog]

Originally Posted by TeamChaos

You may already know this, but if you do find a tick on your dog I found that a few drops of oil (olive oil) makes it easy to remove the tick. After only a couple of seconds, the tick backs right out and you can grab it with your tweezers.

This is not the currently recommended way to remove ticks because any method that shocks/suffocates the tick into releasing will cause the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents, and any potential for tick disease contained therein, into the host prior to releasing.

It's recommended that ticks be removed by grasping as close to the skin as possible with your fingers or a tweezers and, taking care not to squeeze it, to pull gently backward until the tick releases its grip. Then drop in rubbing alcohol and save for identification in the event illness follows. Clean and disinfect the area and watch for signs of infection.

[TeamChaos]

Thanks moondog!! Didn't even consider the disadvantages.


TC

[ChristyM]

I always use my fingers. I have found that a slight twist will make them release but you must get them as close to the skin as possible so they don't break off.

[mamamia1]

Thanks for the tips. I use my fingers but I didn't save the tick. Too late now I guess. I was reading that Revolution will kill the tick in 4-5 days. Unfortunately too late to prevent lyme disease. I've read that one of the most effective ways to get rid of them is a good flea & tick bath after you've been in a place likely to be infested such as a walk through the bush. But I could have read that on some site that was promoting a shampoo, so grain of salt.

[matthew517]

I am starting using frontline pro on my boy. I found two ticks on him the other night.
Was using Revolution that the vet gave me. But when I took him back for shots number 3 the other vet frontline

[Marley55]

I would just offer a word of warning about using your fingers to remove ticks. They do carry disease that can be spread to humans so I would always recommend a tweezers if that is an option.

Sometimes in the woods is not an option but I am to the point that I always have a pair in my saddle pack and the dog emergency kit plus alcohol to pickle the filthy little beasts in

[Terri Lambert]

Revolution does not do a real good job on ticks and you should either use Frontline or a Preventic collar. I work at a vet and talk to the reps about this all the time and that is their recommendation. Also for removing ticks you should you a tool called the o-tom.

[flyn]

I use Frontline for fleas and ticks best on the market, once on the tick will eventually fall out. A good website to get frontline is (Welcome to Petmeds.co.uk - Pet Medication Supplies) it is really cheap and three pipettes in a pack cost £17.95 for six months,one pipett every two months. At the vets I used last time cost £47 for six months, they also have a free phone number on the site, hope this helps.