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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Do I need to remove the tick?

36 replies

duvetdrama · 08/10/2021 19:33

My dog had a tick on her face but she has had tick treatment last month (3 month treatment). Should I still try to remove it? Surely it can't be harmful to her in terms of disease if she's been treated?

OP posts:
SpratsOnParade · 08/10/2021 19:34

Yes you should remove it ASAP. Be very careful about how you do it though.

icedcoffees · 08/10/2021 22:20

Yes, you must remove it ASAP.

Do you have a proper tick removal tool?

PrincessofPeeves · 08/10/2021 22:28

Yes but please use a proper removal tool and don't pull it out!

GrandmasCat · 08/10/2021 22:32

Yes, but do not pull it as the head may stay in. If you don’t have a proper tool you can rub it with a bit of tree oil so it detached itself and you can catch it.

Or like an old lady I met in the 70s who loved dogs so much she was always taking in strays… she touched the tick with a lighted cigarette so it detached, she could go through hundreds a day! But then, those were other times. Grin

GrandmasCat · 08/10/2021 22:33

I would also wonder if the treatment is working at all, as the tick has survived it, is it still growing?

Abneynteel · 08/10/2021 22:35

I thought they attached but the tick treatment caused them to die within 24 hours (before any lymes disease could pass to them)

GrandmasCat · 08/10/2021 22:40

As far as I’ aware, they detach themselves before dying (unless you pull them that is..). But I may be wrong, I have not seen one in years.

SylvanasWindrunner · 08/10/2021 22:41

Yes, do remove it. Do you have a tick twister? I wouldn't want it falling off and finding its way on to me while it was still alive!

Scbchl · 08/10/2021 22:43

Heat the back of a teaspoon up with a lighter or your cooker and tap the tic obviously with someone securing your dogs head so the spoon doesn't touch your dog and the tic will release.

BringBackDoves · 08/10/2021 22:44

Depends on the treatment. Our dog has tablet which kill the ticks within 24h and they fall off. They clearly stop growing very quickly. Our dog is on Bravecto and the vet said it’s so effective you don’t really need to remove the tick as it dies very fast then drops off.

TheGirlWithGlassFeet · 08/10/2021 22:45

Yes it needs to be removed. Use a proper tick remover or it could regurgitate which can increase the risk of Lyme.

SnugKnights · 08/10/2021 22:45

@Scbchl

Heat the back of a teaspoon up with a lighter or your cooker and tap the tic obviously with someone securing your dogs head so the spoon doesn't touch your dog and the tic will release.
Apparently you shouldn’t do this, or put anything on them. It can cause them to regurgitate which can introduce infection. You should always use a proper tool or appropriate shaped tweezers.
Tardigrade001 · 08/10/2021 22:53

Yes, remove. The treatment is (I think) insecticide, so it won't prevent disease. You can put oil on it - oil makes them suffocate - and it's much easier to remove.

lisaandalan · 08/10/2021 23:04

Remove it asap with tick removal tool or go to the vets, can make them very unwell and feeds on their blood.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 08/10/2021 23:05

Vaseline over them apparently works...

icedcoffees · 08/10/2021 23:22

You're not supposed to try and suffocate them as it can cause them to regurgitate into your dog which increases the risk of disease and infection.

Just buy a tick tool - they're only a few quid and remove them properly. We have several of varying sizes stashed in a drawer just in case.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 08/10/2021 23:33

We used the tool on ddog a few weeks ago!! Yesterday ds had one on his leg - used my nails before ds got hysterical!!

Esssa · 08/10/2021 23:51

If you don't have a tick tool you can use a piece of card, cereal box works well. Cut a small circle like a 10p coin and a slit from the edge to the center. You can use this to twist the tick out. As others have said distressing the tick in any way can increase the likelihood of it regurgitating and infecting your dog.

Original poster
duvetdrama · 09/10/2021 09:11

It is not growing so presume it died soon after attaching, it's tiny and difficult to get at with the tool. We also use Bravecto from the vet

OP posts:
PollyRoullson · 09/10/2021 10:24

Good grief the misinformation on this thread

Only remove with a tick tool. Twist so all the head is removed
If dog has tick treatment the tick will fall off in 24 hours.

Do not use vaseline
Do not use hot spoons
Do not go to the vet with a tick if you have had your dog treated!
Do not use lighted cigarettes
Do not use tea tree oil

Wolfiefan · 09/10/2021 10:28

@GrandmasCat
@Scbchl
@Brollywasntneededafterall

Please see above.

Suzi888 · 09/10/2021 10:29

Let the vet do it?

romdowa · 09/10/2021 10:30

If you aren't confident in removing it yourself then it's best to get the dog down to the vet

icedcoffees · 09/10/2021 10:32

How long has it been attached? In my experience they can stay small for quite a while and then they suddenly seem to balloon!

The small ones are a pain but I would do my best to remove it if possible. Are you using a small tick tool? You can get them in various sizes - the larger ones will be no good on a small tick.

Original poster
duvetdrama · 09/10/2021 10:58

It was a scab Blush. Vet said probably had been a tick that attached then died and left the scab...will know for next time!

OP posts:
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