Tick Removal and Prevention Tips
The great outdoors is the perfect spot to unwind, relax, and let go. As you find yourself letting go, you might find little creatures attaching to you and your pet. One of the most unwanted guests of the outdoors, the dreaded tick, knows your pet’s warm body and soft fur is the ideal paradise for them. The tiny, blood sucking pests can carry a host of issues that can cause a wide range of health problems from more severe issues like Lyme Disease to skin infections. The best way to deal with these little bugs is prevention, but if you do find yourself in a ticky situation, there are specific steps to take. Below are ways to prevent ticks and ways to remove the tiny pests.
How to Prevent Ticks
The best way to help your pet avoid the tiny tick is to keep up with the flea and tick products provided by your vet. Products for prevention come in collars, medication, topical treatment, and shampoos. Each product is made to meet a certain need, so it is important that you speak to your veterinarian to find the best, most appropriate flea and tick prevention product for your pet.
You must make sure that you inspect your pets regularly and give them regular baths, especially if you find yourself in the great outdoors on a regular basis. When you check your pet’s body, pay close attention to the face, neck, ears, under arms/legs, between toes, and eyelids. Feel for bumps around their body. The quicker you find and remove a tick, the less likely your dog will contract an illness related to bites from ticks.
Another key way to prevent the possibility of ticks is to keep the grass in your yard mowed short. If you don’t have a yard, avoid walking in tall grass with your pet. Ticks can be found overgrown, grassy areas along with other harmful creatures, like snakes. The CDC suggests removing leaf litter, tall grasses, and brush from your yard too.
When you find yourself planning a trek on the trails, make sure to check local blogs about the area. Some of these blogs will provide information on tick sightings. AllTrails is a website that provides information on trail conditions, just check the review section on whichever trail you’re headed to during tick season.
How to Remove Ticks
If your pet does have a tick visitor, there are several things you will need to remove the blood sucking parasite. Make sure to use caution when you try to remove ticks that are attached near your dog's eyes, around their mouth, and inside their ears. Never remove a tick with your bare hands, it’s not only ineffective but the squeezing may further inject infectious material, according to the AKC. It is important to use latex or rubber gloves during this process.
When you remove a tick, use tweezers or a tick removal hook. Make sure to use fine-point tweezers, to avoid tearing the tick and spreading possible infections into the bite area. In a gentle manner, pull straight upward, in a slow, steady motion. This motion will help prevent the tick’s mouth from breaking off and remaining embedded in the skin. When the tick is removed, clean the area with isopropyl alcohol and apply triple antibiotic ointment. If you accidentally leave the tick's head behind, schedule a visit with your vet to remove the rest of the head so an infection does not occur.
The most effective way to kill a tick once it is removed is with also with isopropyl alcohol. Put the tick in a jar or small container that is filled with isopropyl alcohol and close the jar with a lid. If you’re nervous about removing the tick or ticks, call your vet’s office and they will be happy to help. Make sure to wash your hands and tools after removing ticks.
Now you know how to prevent and treat tick bites. You can all prevent hunger and treat good behavior with Triumph Pet Food & Treats! They give your dog a wholesome and delicious reward for conquering nature with you. Make sure to tag @triumphpetfood the next time you share your next adventure on social media to be featured!
