Ticks on dogs: how to remove them, diseases and prevention
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If you find a tick on your dog, remove it as soon as possible with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, without squeezing its body and without putting petroleum jelly, nail polish or heat on it first. Then watch your dog for a few weeks for fever, tiredness or loss of appetite: ticks can spread serious diseases. The best protection is tick prevention every month of the year.
Why ticks are dangerous
Ticks feed on blood and, while they feed, can pass diseases through their saliva. In the US, these are the main ones in dogs:
| Disease | Main tick | What it causes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyme disease | Blacklegged (deer) tick | Fever, stiffness, joint pain and a limp that can shift between legs; sometimes kidney problems |
| Anaplasmosis | Blacklegged tick | Fever, lethargy, joint pain, loss of appetite |
| Ehrlichiosis | Lone star tick, brown dog tick | Fever, weight loss, anemia, nosebleeds and tiny red spots on the skin or gums |
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever | American dog tick, brown dog tick | Fever, lethargy, joint pain; can be serious |
| Babesiosis | Several species | Destroys red blood cells: fever, anemia, pale gums, dark urine |
Symptoms can take days or weeks to appear after the bite.
When ticks are active
Ticks are most active from spring to fall, but in much of the country they can be out any time temperatures are above freezing. That's why the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends tick protection all year.
Where to check
After every walk in woods, fields, parks or tall grass, run your hands over your dog, especially:
- The ears (inside and out) and around the eyes.
- The neck, under the collar.
- The armpits and groin.
- Between the toes and paw pads.
- Around the tail.
An unfed tick can be as small as a pinhead. Once it has fed, it looks like a gray bean.
How to remove a tick, step by step
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, sold at vet clinics and pet stores.
- Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, by the head, without squeezing the body: squeezing pushes saliva into your dog's blood.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't jerk or twist with tweezers (if you use a tick hook, follow its instructions).
- Clean the bite area and wash your hands.
- Don't crush the tick with your fingers. Put it in rubbing alcohol, a sealed bag or wrap it in tape before throwing it away.
- Write down the date, in case symptoms appear in the following weeks.
Don't: smother the tick with petroleum jelly or nail polish, or burn it with a match before removing it. It can make the tick release more saliva and raise the risk of infection.
If you'd rather not do it yourself, or there are many ticks, your vet clinic can remove them in minutes and check your dog.
When to see the vet
Make an appointment if, in the days or weeks after a tick bite, your dog has:
- Fever, lethargy or tiredness.
- Loss of appetite or weight loss.
- Pale gums or dark urine.
- Nosebleeds or tiny red spots on the skin or gums.
- A limp or stiffness.
- A bite area that's very swollen or has pus.
Diagnosis is usually done with a blood test. Many vets also screen for Lyme, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis with the yearly heartworm test. The sooner it's treated, the better.
How to prevent ticks
- Tick prevention all year: chewable tablets, spot-ons or collars. Each lasts a different time; we compare them in how often to deworm a dog.
- Check your dog after every walk in tick habitat.
- Avoid tall grass and brush when ticks are most active.
- Ask about the Lyme vaccine if you live in or travel to an area where Lyme disease is common.
Important if you have cats: many dog products contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Never use them on a cat, and ask your vet which product is safe if they live together.
Frequently asked questions
What if the tick's head stays in the skin?
Usually it's enough to clean the area and keep an eye on it: the body pushes out what's left. If the skin gets very swollen, oozes or bothers your dog, see your vet.
Can ticks from my dog bite people?
Yes, the same ticks bite people and can spread Lyme disease and other illnesses. Check yourself after walks in tick habitat and wash your hands after removing a tick from your dog.
Are there ticks in winter?
In many areas, yes. Activity drops in freezing weather, but some ticks are active on mild winter days. Keep up protection all year.
Sources
This article is for general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet's health, call your vet clinic.
