How To Treat A Tick Bite On A Dog

Introduction

I have dogs, and I love them dearly. However, I live in the woods, which means my dogs are always coming back from outside with ticks stuck in their fur. That’s why it’s so important to know what to do if your dog gets bitten by a tick. So let’s look at how you can prevent ticks from biting your pet, how to remove a tick once it’s bitten your dog, and everything else you need to know about ticks and dogs.

First let’s get the facts. All ticks are blood feeders. They crawl onto the skin of their host to bite it, then they insert a feeding tube into the skin and begin to drink your dog’s blood.

First let’s get the facts. All ticks are blood feeders. They crawl onto the skin of your dog to bite it, then they insert a feeding tube into the skin and begin to drink your dog’s blood.

While most ticks have no interest in human blood, some species can spread disease-causing germs that cause Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other illnesses.

What to look for when examining your dog for ticks

Once you’re sure your dog is healthy, examine her for ticks. Look for:

Signs of irritation: If the tick was attached for a long period of time, you may see bruising or redness where it was attached.
Signs of hair loss: The tick may have eaten some fur. If so, look closely at the area and watch to see if the patches are growing back over time.
Signs of swelling: A tick bite can cause an inflammatory reaction that leads to swelling around where it attaches itself.
Scabs: Some ticks leave behind scabs as they detach from their hosts; these will appear as raised bumps on your dog’s skin that crust over before fully healing into scar tissue.

Removing a tick from your dog’s skin

You should remove the tick as soon as you notice it, because they can transmit diseases to your dog. Here’s how:

Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Pull straight out in a steady motion. Don’t twist or jerk the tick—this could cause its mouthparts to break off into your dog’s skin, creating an infection and causing other health problems. If you can’t get the tick out with your hands, use a tick removal tool designed for humans on dogs (available at pet stores).

What to do after you remove a tick bite

Remove any ticks as soon as possible.
Take your dog to the vet if you are concerned about the bite, or if you have not seen a tick removed from them in the last 48 hours. It’s important to find out if there is an infection developing.
Check for signs of tick paralysis, which include: listlessness, lethargy and inability to move legs properly. If this happens then take your dog straight to a vet so they can be treated with medication that will alleviate their symptoms.

Ticks can be a major hazard for dogs, but you can protect your dogs by knowing how to find ticks and treat them.

Although most ticks are harmless, they can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and animals. A dog’s fur acts as a buffer against ticks and other insects with their fine guard hairs. The undercoat is much thinner and offers no protection, so it’s important to inspect your dog thoroughly after spending time outside.

If you find a tick on your dog, take action immediately to prevent the spread of disease:

Use tweezers or pliers to grasp the tick as close to its mouthparts as possible; do not squeeze it because this will force more fluids from its body into yours or your pet’s body
Pull gently but firmly straight back until the tick releases from skin; try not to break off mouthparts in skin if possible

Conclusion

You can protect your dog by taking some simple steps. First, you should regularly inspect your dog for ticks. Check its skin and fur, especially after it has been outdoors. Second, if you do find a tick on your dog’s body, remove it immediately using tweezers or a specialized tool like the Tick Twister. Finally, whether you have found and removed a tick on your dog or not, watch the area of the bite carefully for signs of infection over the next few days.