How To Prevent Ticks On Dogs & How To Remove Them

Pet owners often ask, “how to remove ticks from a dog?”. The truth is prevention is always better than cure.
Ticks are common throughout South Africa. As a dog owner, your furry friend is already enjoying plenty of outdoor activity. A fun venture outside can expose them to the potential risk of these parasites, therefore knowing how to spot & prevent ticks is essential.

If you see a tick on your dog that is attached, we recommend that you first consult with a vet to seek support with tick removal & prevention measures, as well as to find out if your dog is experiencing symptoms of tick bites. If you have already tried home removal methods, you should still consult with your vet to confirm that they are tick-free, & that it hasn’t broken past the skin barrier. The vet may also want to do a blood smear or other tests to ensure there aren’t any tick-borne parasites in the blood.

MediPet’s everyday routine care add-on provides pet owners with preventative care cover & savings for tick & flea treatments from R65 per month. This add-on helps pet owners make tick & flea prevention measures more affordable, by potentially saving up to R960 per year.

Table Of Contents

• Why Is It Important For Dog Owners To Monitor & Prevent Ticks?
• Where Should You Check For Ticks On Dogs?
• 8 Steps For Tick Removal & Treatment For Your Pet
• 6 Reasons Why You Need To See A Vet After Trying To Remove Ticks & Applying Treatment At Home, To Avoid Posing A Risk
• Here Is How To Prevent Ticks In The Home
• Final Thoughts

Why Is It Important For Dog Owners To Monitor & Prevent Ticks?

Ticks attach themselves to the skin, feed on blood, & can pass on harmful pathogens. They can carry diseases like ehrlichiosis & babesiosis. Some ticks in South Africa are cytotoxic & cause wounds which can go necrotic. Some ticks cause large wounds where they have bitten your pet because the saliva has toxins.

Preventing tick infestations helps protect your dog’s overall health, ensuring they remain happy, active, & free from tick-borne illnesses. Regular tick checks, & prompt removal & treatment by your vet are essential in safeguarding your pet. To minimise health risks & prevent potential infection, brush & groom your dogs regularly.

Where Should You Check For Ticks On Dogs?

Ticks tend to seek out warm, damp, & dark areas on a dog’s body, making certain spots more susceptible to infestation. Regularly check your dog’s feet, paying special attention to the spaces between their toes.

The inside of their ears is another common hiding place, so be thorough in your examination of this area. Ticks also often attach themselves around the face & neck, particularly near the collar or where the skin is looser.

Additionally, the underside of the tail & groin area provides an ideal environment for ticks, & since this area is often overlooked, a tick can go unnoticed for quite some time. Consistently inspecting these areas after walks or outdoor play can help you detect & remove ticks before they cause any harm. The most effective way to check for & prevent ticks is through regular grooming.

What Symptoms Should You Look For If Your Dog Has Ticks?

Tick bites can cause a range of reactions in dogs, some of which may not be immediately obvious. It’s important to monitor your dog closely for signs of tick-related issues, these may include the following:

• Fatigue & lethargy
• Skin lesions/necrotic wounds/circular sores from bites
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

If you notice any of the above symptoms consult a vet as soon as you can to prevent further complications from the parasite.

Checking Your Pet For Signs Of Ticks & Assessing The Issue

Early detection of tick bites is crucial for your pet’s health. Look for both visual & behavioural cues. The physical signs of tick bites on dogs include:

• Increased Head Shaking: If your dog has started shaking their head more than usual, it is possible that a tick bite could be causing irritation. Persistent head shaking could mean that your dog has a tick in their ear canal. Unless you have an otoscope, you won’t see in the ear canal, & you must see a vet. A flashlight will not be sufficient to check inside your pet’s ear to see if there are any potential ticks.
• New Scabs On Your Dog: If your furry friend starts developing abnormal & mysterious scabs it could mean they have been bitten by a tick. Scabs could be a bite spot of a tick that has been scratched or bitten off. If you are noticing unexplained scabs, make sure to get the right treatment, as they could get infected. It would be advisable to visit a vet to ensure they get the best care.
• Fever: If your pet’s temperature seems to be fluctuating combined with a loss of appetite, increased weakness, vomiting, shivering & abnormal panting, they may have a fever that has developed from a tick bite. In this case, it would be best to take your dog to the vet.
• Behavioural Changes: These can include lethargy, where your dog becomes unusually sluggish or disinterested in activities they usually enjoy. You might also notice signs of depression, such as your dog appearing withdrawn, quieter than usual, or less inclined to interact with people or other pets.
• Irritated Or Red Areas: When your dog has irritated or red areas it could be from scratching or from previous tick bites. The mouthparts of a tick can remain in the dog’s skin if it is not removed correctly, causing your furry friend’s skin to get red & irritated repeatedly.

To perform a thorough check, comb through your pet’s fur, feeling for bumps or irritation. Use a fine-toothed comb to part the fur & examine the skin closely, especially after outdoor activities. Ticks can be small, so make sure to assess your pet thoroughly. Remember the key areas where ticks can be found. If you find a bump, part your pet’s fur to see their skin. Ticks will appear as a black, brown or greyish-brown bump.

Establish A Regular Tick Prevention Routine

Establishing a regular tick prevention routine is essential for keeping your pet safe from ticks year-round. Start by setting up a consistent treatment schedule based on your veterinarian’s recommendations. This schedule might include monthly spot-on treatments, oral medications, or the use of tick collars. Combining different prevention methods can enhance protection, especially in areas with high parasite exposure.

Regularly inspect your pet after outdoor activities like hiking or travelling, paying close attention to common hiding spots. You should also clean your home environment regularly with a cleaning agent as per your vet’s advice. By consistently following these preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of infestations & ensure your pet remains healthy & comfortable.

How To Remove A Tick From Your Dog

If you are concerned that your pet has been bitten by a tick, & you are out of reach or access to a vet & need to act quickly & safely, follow these steps to help remove the tick from your furry friend:

1. Prepare The Tools: You will need a pair of fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick removal tool, gloves (to protect yourself), & disinfectant. (If you do not have a tick remover, you can smother the tick in Vaseline which will suffocate the tick. This can help until you get to the vet.)
2. Locate The Tick: Gently examine your pet’s fur & skin to find the tick. Ticks can be small & hard to spot, so check in areas where ticks like to hide — such as in the ears, underarms, neck, & between the toes.
3. Grab The Tick: Using the tweezers or tick removal tool, grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible. Avoid pinching your pet’s skin or squeezing the tick’s body, as this could cause the tick’s fluids to enter your pet’s bloodstream.
4. Remove The Tick: Gently & steadily pull the tick out without twisting. Twisting can break the tick & leave parts behind in your pet’s skin. Keep pulling until the tick comes out completely.
5. Examine The Tick: Once removed, check the tick to make sure no parts (like the head or mouth) are left behind in your pet’s skin. If any parts remain, you may need to use the tweezers to remove them.
6. Clean The Bite Area: After removal, clean the bite site with disinfectant or antiseptic to help prevent infection. Dispose of the tick properly: Place the tick in a sealed container or a bag & dispose of it. You can also save the tick in case your vet wants to identify it.
7. Monitor Your Pet: Keep an eye on the bite site & your pet for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or any unusual behaviour. If any concerns arise, it’s best to consult your vet.

While tick removal can often be done at home, it’s always a good idea to contact a vet, especially if you’re unsure of the removal process, or if the tick has been attached for a long time. A vet can also provide advice on tick-borne diseases & ensure your pet is properly protected in the future.

Make Sure Your Veterinarian Checks Your Dog After Removal

1. Improper Removal: If a tick is not removed correctly, parts of its mouthparts may remain embedded in the skin, leading to infection or inflammation.
2. Increased Infection Risk: Attempting to remove ticks with unsanitary tools or improper techniques can introduce bacteria into the bite site, causing infection.
3. Disease Transmission: Ticks can carry diseases like babesiosis, or ehrlichiosis. If a tick is not removed quickly & properly, the risk of transmitting these diseases increases.
4. Stress & Injury: If you’re not familiar with tick removal, you might inadvertently cause your dog pain or injury during the process. Some dogs may become stressed, making the procedure harder.
5. Missed Ticks: Ticks can be tiny & difficult to spot. A vet has the experience & equipment to thoroughly check your dog & remove all ticks, minimising the risk of missed parasites.

For these reasons, visiting a vet for tick removal is often the safest & most effective option. They can ensure proper removal, provide necessary treatment, & guide you on effective tick prevention.

Here Is How To Prevent Ticks & Fleas In The Home

To protect your furry friend from future tick bites it is important to get rid of any potential ticks in your house. After tick removal, make sure to do the following in your home:

• Vacuum Thoroughly: Focus on areas where your dog spends most of their time, including carpets, furniture, & pet bedding.
  
• Wash Your Dog’s Bedding: Use hot water & detergent to kill any ticks on your pet’s bedding.
  
• Treat Your Pet’s Environment: Use pet-safe products prescribed by the vet to treat carpets & upholstery.
  
• Declutter Your Home: Organise your home to make sure that you remove any potential hiding spots that ticks may be in.
  
• Use Environmental Treatments: Consider using pet-safe products like diatomaceous earth or insect growth regulators to treat carpets & upholstery.
  
• Tidy up your Garden: Mow the lawn, cut back vegetation, remove any leaf litter & store wood in a dry place. This deprives ticks of potential moist hiding places in your yard. When treating your garden, try to avoid using any lawn tick sprays as they have been found to be unsafe for pets.

It is also important to add your home treatment to your prevention routine. Make sure to regularly treat your pet’s environment with pet-safe products like diatomaceous earth or insect growth regulators to treat carpets & upholstery. Maintain your garden with creating tick-safe zones by using gravel to separate your lawn from wooded areas. Regularly clean your home & pet’s environment with pet-safe products.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, early detection is crucial, as prompt removal can prevent the transmission of harmful diseases. Utilising appropriate tools & following the recommended steps for tick removal ensures safety & minimises infection risks. Implementing a comprehensive prevention routine, including the use of spot-on treatments, oral medications, & tick collars, offers year-round protection for your pets. Maintaining a clean home environment & regularly inspecting pets after outdoor activities further reduces the chance of tick bites.

Prevention is the best defence against these parasites, & consistent vigilance is key. Our Everyday Routine Care Add-On provides cover towards the cost of tick & flea treatments. This add-on can also be used toward making vaccinations, microchipping, deworming & sterilisation more affordable for dog owners due to built-in savings.

Discover more about why MediPet is the best choice for your pet insurance, compare plans & get an obligation-free quote today!

For dog owners looking for other pet safety tips, you can read our complete guide to dog poisoning or our winter pet safety tips. In our blog, we also provide pet owners with a variety of other related content covering everything from dog or cat adoption, potty training your puppy or litter training your kitten, travelling with your dog, & more.