One more question re: Ticks

[A&J]

What do you do if you find a tick on your dog? We found one this morning and pulled it out with tweezers, making sure the head came with it. She was treated with Revolution on Tuesday. Do we need to do anything further? Thanks in advance!

[davet]

you might put a little iodine, merthiolate or your favorite antiseptic on the site but they usually are no problem..even if the head does not come out it will eventually get pushed out like a splinter...these tick pullers etc on the market are really no better the the plain old thumb and forefinger...when you do use your hands twist the tick counterclockwisse that usually makes it easier to get the head...but even a left in head is no big whoops

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

I hate ticks!! I have had one on me within the last month and I think they really can be tough to pull off - I am suprised at the grip they have. Two of my dogs each had one too and I had trouble getting one of them off but I have a tick puller and it works fairly well.

As I understand it you don't want to squeeze the tick when you pull it off so it does not "puke" it's stomach contents into the bite site as this is what can cause more serious infections. The tick puller is designed to get under it's face and not squeeze the body. If you are in a tick area like I am they are handy little things to have in a drawer for those "special" occasions. Pet Smart has them as do most places that have pet supplies.