Dealing with Ticks
Written by Dr. Sherry Weaver
We are currently experiencing a problem with ticks on our dog. We enjoy taking our dog outdoors with us, but this last episode has been very discouraging. We found a total of nine ticks on our dog and in our home. She has been treated with [a leading tick product] every month and yet still manages to attract them. We removed all the ticks we found on her but two days later still found some on her and inside our home. Is there any other method we should be doing to repel ticks when outdoors? And is there anything we should be doing to treat ticks that may still be inside our home and not yet dead? Thank you very much for your expertise.
Sincerely,
Suzanne
Dear Suzanne,
People are becoming increasingly concerned about ticks because of the potential for disease in both humans and dogs. Different parts of the country have different levels of risk for tick-related diseases, and there are many opposing views on how common these diseases are. Most of these diseases can only be transmitted if the tick has been attached for 12 hours or more, but if you have been exposed to ticks, you should call your doctor to find out about prevalence of disease in your area. It might be worthwhile to also show the tick to your doctor as some ticks are higher risk for disease than others.
One product I have found that truly allows no ticks on a dog is the Preventick collar. It does nothing for fleas, but when used correctly, it does prevent the ticks from attaching and kills any that are already on the dog. This is useful for people who will be taking dogs hiking in infested areas, but don’t forget that the ticks like you just as much as your dog. Even Preventick won’t kill the unattached ticks on the fur. If your dog has long hair, keeping his coat short will help you see and remove the surface ticks (as well as keeping him cool on those long hikes).
The best way to prevent ticks is to avoid low-lying shrubbery or high grass. Yard sprays can decrease the number of ticks in the yard, but the only way to completely control them is by also cutting back shrubs and grass. As far as inside your house; ticks can only reproduce outside, and they die quickly if they don’t attach. However, they can move from a dog to a human or furniture. This means you don’t need to worry about treating the house, but be aware that they can definitely be shared between dogs and other family members. The best you can do for ticks that are not attached yet is to bathe the dog. This doesn’t get rid of all of them, but it makes them easier to see and wash off.
Removing a tick has been a common subject of interest to people. The real best way to remove a tick is by grasping it gently with tweezers or hemostats and gently pulling. If you pull slowly, the tick should come off with a small piece of skin. This means you have gotten the entire proboscis, which is the mouth-like organ used for feeding. If you don’t get the head out, the risk of infection is still extremely small and can usually be prevented with a little triple antibiotic cream applied to the area.
Dr. Weaver
For more information, read If Your Dog Has Ticks in the tips section.
About Dr. Sherry Weaver
Dr. Weaver graduated with honors from the University of Georgia's School of Veterinary Medicine. She founded a state-of-the-art animal hospital, teaches pet care to children, and donates time and resources to rescue organizations. For her full biography, click here.
Note: The opinions and views expressed in the Ask the Vet articles are the result of Dr. Sherry Weaver's formal education and over 14 years in clinical experiences. Your veterinarian is the best source of information for your pet’s specific needs. |
