All the lucky ones who have a dog as a life companion, we know what it is to be concerned so that our pet does not contract fleas or ticks. Ticks in dogs are very common and that is why we must know how to detect them, eliminate them and above all, how to prevent them.
In this simple and practical guide we will learn everything you need to know about ticks, in this way we will know how they act and how to end them effectively. Remember that the best way to not have ticks is to prevent them, something really simple that will hardly rob us of a little time a week.
Index of contents
- 1 What is a tick?
- 2 Ticks on adult dogs or puppies How do I find them?
- 3 How to remove ticks if they are already on the dog?
- 4 How to prevent my dog or puppy from becoming infected with ticks?
- 5 Can humans be spread from dog ticks?
- 5.1 Summary:
What is a tick?
Ticks they are large mites (up to half a centimeter) that live as parasites on the skin of mammals, feeding on his blood according to Wikipedia. It has four pairs of legs, with which it clings tightly to its guests since they end in nails. Thanks to this, it is much easier for him to make a small perforation through which to suck his food, the blood.
They are more common in hot places, or when spring / summer approaches with rising temperatures. They usually abound near livestock farms or trails where livestock circulates. Ticks can transmit a multitude of diseases, many of them serious. It is completely necessary to remove any tick from our dog or pet, because they could also be installed in humans.
Adult females can lay up to 4,000 eggs during their life cycle, so a major pest can occur if no action is taken against them.
Ticks on adult dogs or puppies How do I find them?
Detecting ticks in our dogs is very simple, just we should review them carefully from time to time looking for any of these unwanted tenants. As a general rule, ticks tend to “anchor” near the ear area even inside, in the face and neck area. Also less frequently they can stay on the back, belly and even paws of our beloved pets.
It is very important to take time to review our dog little by little, completely, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. So we can know if our dog has a tick on its body. As usual We will see a small brown or black lump, similar to a large and ugly grain. If you detect a tick, do not try to eliminate it to the beast, there is a simple process to follow so that our dog does not suffer.
In puppies, it is more common to detect ticks, because you cannot normally apply pipettes or collars to prevent them, given their extreme youth. Change it is very easy to end the ticks in puppies so do not get overwhelmed.
The size of the tick can vary from two or three millimeters to one centimeter or one and a half centimeters, depending on the time it takes to suck blood from the host … our beloved pet.
How to remove ticks if they are already on the dog?
Following these instructions correctly is very important, because ticks attach to our dogs with their paws and also make a small hole with their mouth. We must kill o repel the tick with a good pipette before removing it from our dog, because otherwise legs could be anchored, causing unnecessary infection.
There is no hurry, do not worry, we will eliminate the tick correctly and forever with a very simple technique, make it detach from our dog and extract it (alive or dead).
Ticks do not like citrus or chamomile infusions, so we can use any of these tick home remedies (chamomile or lemon) to make it detach from our dog. We will apply a little infusion of cold chamomile or lemon, also serve apple cider vinegar, on the tick and wait a few moments for it to peel off.
With the help of a clamp, we will extract it carefully so that its legs or head are not anchored in our dog and then we will kill it with a piece of paper or immersing it in a plastic cup with alcohol. Then, we will apply hydrogen peroxide on the wound of our dog to disinfect. During the next days, we will apply hydrogen peroxide during the small wound of our dog so that it does not become infected. If we see symptoms of infection (pus, excessive inflammation, bad smell), we will go to our vet to provide us with an antibiotic.
How to prevent my dog or puppy from becoming infected with ticks?
Prevention is the best option against ticks, in this way we will avoid the inconvenience of having to look for them and eliminate them, something that is not always pleasant. It will be enough with apply to our dog on a monthly basis one of those fantastic pipettes that they sell in veterinary clinics or online stores for dogs. These pipettes contain a chemical compound that makes ticks very uncomfortable in our dogs, so they will not get close to them.
Pipettes vary depending on the size of our dog, dogs weighing less than 20 kilos need a lesser amount of this chemical than larger dogs. Large dogs, weighing more than 20 kilos, generally need a pair of pipettes, one applied to the base of the neck and one at the start of the tail. Dogs less than 20 kilos will only need a pipette at the base of the neck.
We must apply the pipettes once a month, preferably two days after having bathed them. A clean dog, which bathes each month with soap and water, is less likely to get fleas, ticks, and disease than a dirty dog.
Collars are also an effective method to prevent our dog from picking ticks., they act in the same way as pipettes, giving off an odor that repels ticks and fleas, which makes them not want to feed on our dog.
For puppies it is somewhat more complicated since being so small, collars and pipettes are totally contraindicated for them, since the chemical compounds they contain could harm them. But, there are necklaces made with natural substances, such as Neem oil, a natural repellent. We will be able to use these natural collars on our puppies without problems, thus preventing them from catching.
The pipettes must be applied once a month, the necklaces have an average duration of between two to four months.
Can humans be spread from dog ticks?
The answer is yes. It is also very dangerous to have ticks because they transmit many diseases, some of them serious. It is important to have our dogs clean and with collars or pipettes so that they do not catch ticks and stick them to us. Quiet, not everything is bad, ticks will always prefer to stay in long-haired mammals like our dogs than in humans, but that does not mean that the risk does not exist, it is simply a minor risk.
If we detect that we have a tick, we must go to our doctor to give us adequate medication to prevent diseases (usually antibiotics).
Summary:
The best way to avoid ticks is to prevent them, a monthly bath for our dog is recommended. Allow one or two days to pass after bathing and apply a flea and tick repellent pipette. Put our dog a repellent collar of ticks and fleas. With this, we will have a complete prevention against ticks, simple and practical.
However, at present we can avoid the use of the classic “pipettes” by another more respectful option than putting chemical products on our dog, thanks to the use of the new antiparasitic pills, which are used once a month.