If your dog shows signs of ticks during the summer or spring season, it is important to understand that removing ticks from dogs is a rather daunting procedure, which requires preparation, patience and research.
You cannot just starting tweezing the insects from his skin and coat, you need to have the proper equipment and the knowledge to help cleanly and safely remove all ticks, ensuring your dog doesn’t get injured in the process.
Ticks are blood-sucking parasites or insects that can cause many healthy complications for your pet and are dangerous for human as well. Moreover, they suck your pet's blood and can transmit deadly diseases within the first 24 hours of biting your dog.
In addition, dislodging the insect from your pet's skin is a seriously frustrating undertaking. You have to really work at it and inspect the coat of your pet closely.
Furthermore, before you begin the dog tick treatment, it is highly necessary that you have each essential component and tool needed to remove the ticks. Make sure everything is within your reach. For example, keep some rubbing alcohol, tweezers and gloves near you so you can quickly use everything as soon as you see any ticks squirming around on your dog's skin.
Fortunately for you, this is a comprehensive guide on the different methods you can use to remove ticks from your dog keeping him disease free and learn about different prevention techniques and all that you can do to help stay healthy and tick-free.
5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Dog Safe From Ticks While Traveling
When it comes to travelling with your pet, nothing can be more important than to ensure that he is indeed tick free and not a danger to you or himself.
If you aren't prepared and careful, getting rid of his tick while travelling could turn out to be a nightmare for you. In light of this, mentioned below are 5 really effective methods you can use to get rid of the pesky critters, keeping your dog fresh and healthy:
1. Dog Tick Powders
When it comes to the best flea and tick treatment for dogs, especially when travelling, the best thing you can do is to use topical medications, such as tick powder. This is a specially made powder that contains certain chemicals that effectively kill ticks, also acting as a powerful repellant.
However, it is important to understand that these powders are quite dangerous for humans, which is why it is necessary that you use utmost care while applying it on your dog.
First, when you are out shopping for the right tick powder, always check the label to see whether the product is actually for dogs or is a general tick powder. Go for the powder that is made specifically to kill dog ticks and fleas.
Tick powder for dogs is much finer than regular powder, which means it can be nuisance for the dog if he inhales it or if some gets in his mouth. This is why you will have to use tiny amounts of it and rub it nicely all over his skin and coat. Make sure none of the product gets on his face, nose and eyes.
Moreover, you will have to keep applying the tick powder once every week and more, especially when the spring and summer seasons arrive. You can also apply the powder in your dog's crate or where the pooch sleeps at night.
2. Dog Tick Shampoos
This is another important item that you need to pack with you when you are travelling somewhere with your canine companion. Remember, dog shampoos are different than the products we use, so never make the mistake of assuming you can use your shampoo to wash his skin and fur.
The chemical compounds in human shampoos can harm your dog. Shampoos for ticks on dogs are made with stronger chemicals and medicated components that are made to exterminate ticks and fleas upon contact.
Although these shampoos are extremely budget-friendly, applying them can really be a pain. If you don't mind spending half an hour to 45 minutes shampooing your pet and washing him, this method should be fine.
However, depending on how many ticks your dog has, you might have to wash him using the shampoo once every two weeks. So, buy the best tick shampoos.
3. Oral Treatments And Medications For Dog Ticks
While travelling with your pet, another convenient and safe dog tick treatment you can resort to is the best flea medicine for dogs. You can easily buy over the counter oral pill or tablets for your dog, which you have to give to him once every month.
These medications are specially made to combat and eliminate immature fleas and ticks that have been causing your dog much irritation and distress.
They effectively exterminate the lifecycle of the insects. Moreover, these pills can be easily given to your dog. In addition, you will not have to worry about other pets and people coming near your dog as it considerably minimizes the risk of fleabites and transmittance to other animals or humans. Oral medication is perfect for repelling the ticks.
4. Get A Tick Collar
You can also use specifically designed dog collars that help prevent ticks and flea. However, keep in mind that these tick collars can only protect your dog's head as well as his neck. You will have to use other means to get rid of the tick infection on this entire body.
Tick collars are coated with tick and flea killing chemicals, which is why you must ensure the collar comes in contact with your dog's skin so that it can start to effectively release the chemicals and eliminate ticks in the head and neck area. The best way to ensure the collar is perfectly on is to place two fingers under the collar after fitting it on him.
If the fingers fit nicely, you have nothing to worry about. However, if they don't, you may have placed the collar too tight, which can cause further irritation and at times, suffocation.
Furthermore, if you see the length of the collar is in excess, immediately cut it off so your canine companion does not start to chew on it and take the collar off. Before buying the collar, consult with a professional veterinarian to find out whether your dog stands a chance of getting an allergic reaction from it.
5. Get A Can Of Tick Spray
When it comes to ticks on dogs, another effective way to handle the situation, especially whilst travelling is to spray your dog with some tick-killing chemicals. These flea and tick spray are made using strong chemicals that can immediately exterminate ticks and fleas as soon as they come in contact with the substance.
However, keep in mind that the chemical contents of the spray can be harmful for both you and the pet so you have to be extremely careful when spraying your pet.
You can think of sprays as a form of residual shield, which can be useful when it is time for your pet to play outside during summer or spring. You can use the spray before applying the dog shampoo.
Just be sure not to spray too close to his mouth or nose and avoid spraying him when and if they are other pets around. So, get the best tick repellant for dogs.
Symptoms And Signs That Your Dog May Have Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, which is medically referred to as "Lyme Borreliosis", is a nasty health complication that affects a wide range of furry animals. Not to mention the disease can also affect human beings. This is a long-term and debilitating disease caused by ticks, fleas, and parasites.
For more on Lyme Disease - Prevention and Identification, please give this great resource a read. You won't be disappointed!
Ticks or fleabites can easily transmit dangers microscopic bacteria, which are known as "Borrelia Burgdorferi". The bacteria enters the bloodstream and causes all sort of problems, causing a lot of discomfort, irritation and pain to both cats and dogs.
On the other hand, it is quite important to understand that dogs stand a higher risk of contracting the disease in comparison to cats. Why? Well, that is because of the simple fact that canines love playing outside, dirtying themselves for hours on end while cats don't like to get out that often.
In addition, dogs enjoy exploring the wilderness with their owners and you may enjoy taking them on camping trips, trekking, etc. Ticks can easily bounce on your dog from tree branches, grass, leaves and a lot of other things - latching on to the his skin or coat with the dog totally unaware.
In light of this, mentioned below are some serious symptoms that you have to look out for to catch the disease early and have the best dog tick treatment applied:
Complications In Mobility Or Enhanced Lameness
Constantly limping while walking or strolling is referred to as mobility lameness as well as other common movement issues experienced by dogs in this condition are quite commonly and clinically observed in canines that are suffering from Lyme disease.
Lameness in shifting their limbs, for example, not being able to stand on all fours and putting weight on just one limb, is a symptom.
Moreover, if your dog constantly refuses to go out on walks with you or shows absolutely zero will when it comes to exercising or is just lying down most of the time, these are also symptoms. Moreover, Lyme disease can also cause joint inflammation or arthritis if you wait too long to get the right treatment for your dog.
Persistent Exhaustion Or Lethargy
Canines that develop symptoms of the disease become more exhausted day by day, show no mood to play or walk, and will have zero energy, which can be a problem. A lethargic reaction is the primary cause of the immune system constantly attacking the disease to kill it, rendering the body tired and fatigued.
The immune system does this by producing antibodies and proteins, increasing the white blood cell count in the dog. This can also cause his body temperature to rise as well.
Persistent Weight Loss, Loss In Appetite And Stomach Discomfort
Lyme disease can also cause stomach problems and weight related complications in your dog. Dogs have been seen to become anorexic when suffering from this disease. A lack of appetite and persistent weight loss can be caused by several factors related to the disease, for example, joint arthritis, muscle pain, kidney issues, etc.
How To Safely Remove Ticks That Have Bitten Your Dog
When it comes to how to get rid of ticks, you have to first observe the amount of time your pet spends outside. In correlation to his outdoor activities, it is necessary that you perform inspections and tick check to prevent Lyme disease in dogs. In regards to this, mentioned below are some unique tips you can use as dog tick treatment and safely remove the tick as soon as you spot them.
Performing a Tick Scan
Start looking for ticks on your dog's coat and skin by gently using your fingers. Run them through the entirety of his body. If you feel something lumpy or bumpy or if any patch of skin is slightly swollen, inspect the area a bit further and see whether a flea or tick has made a burrow there.
Check everywhere, in between your canine's toes, his underbelly, torso, armpits, ears, face, chine, etc.
Knowing If It Is Indeed a Tick
Ticks come in different colors, some are brown, some tan, and some are black. However, the one thing common in all ticks is they have 8 legs. Moreover, some ticks can be really small. This is why you must inspect your dog using the utmost care and patience.
Safely Getting Rid Of The Ticks
To get rid of the ticks, you will require some important tools. These are:
- Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl)
- Rubber gloves (non-latex) as it can cause allergies
- Sterilized tick removing tool or tweezers
- Disinfectant or antiseptic cream
It is important you always wear rubber gloves while removing the ticks. Remember they can latch onto your skin as well. While using the tweezers, you have to be careful as to not harm the dog while picking it as close to his skin as you can.
Keep your hands steady and just pull the insect out as gently as you can so that it doesn’t escape. You can also use a tick remover. When you take out the tick, you can immediately place the remover near the skin so that even if you drop it, it would land on the remover.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is all you need to know when it comes to removing ticks on dogs safely and without harming the pet.