Tick!

[scrwright]

Thought dogs wouldn't pick these up this time of year? Just found one on the Labs back, wasn't these 2 days ago. Any top tips for removing it correctly?

Edited by scrwright on Thursday 22 December 23:09

[JAHetfield]

I have always let the vet do it. I was told that if you break it and bit remains under the skin, it can cause a bad infection.

[Big Al.]

http://www.ehow.com/how_2257_remove-ticks-pets.htm...

HTH.

[scrwright]

bugger, no tweezers in the house, will nip to the vet first thing, want them to check out her skin around it as it looks a bit scaley.

[bexVN]

The nurses do the removal at our practice free of charge. If we think there is a chance of inf/reaction we'll get a vet to take a look then there may be a cost.

[gunners100]

a tic remover or fag end

[Tunku]

With the dogs in Malaya, we used a pair of tweezers and a small jar of bleach to kill ticks.

[Superficial]

Doubt you'll be able to get hold of these for this time but definitely worth ordering for in the future:

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3657-o-tom-tick-remover...

[bexVN]

gunners100 said:

a tic remover or fag end

Please don't recommend using a fag end. It's outdated and animals do get burnt, I've seen the results of people trying this, not nice and totally unnecessary.

[therealpigdog]

Superficial said:

Doubt you'll be able to get hold of these for this time but definitely worth ordering for in the future:

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3657-o-tom-tick-remover...

This or vets (where you can probably buy one).

[Jasandjules]

Superficial said:

Doubt you'll be able to get hold of these for this time but definitely worth ordering for in the future:

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3657-o-tom-tick-remover...

This. We have these and they work a charm.

[scrwright]

Okay, went to the vet (needed worming tablets anyhow & they don't charge for tick removal), good job I didn't try and yank it off, it be a wart! Will get a photo later but it looks just like this one

Anyway, its where she can't scratch it so they will leave it for now as it doesn't bother her. Spent all night scratching myself

Edited by scrwright on Friday 23 December 11:59

[Johnnytheboy]

Superficial said:

Doubt you'll be able to get hold of these for this time but definitely worth ordering for in the future:

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3657-o-tom-tick-remover...

These work really well - you can certainly buy them over the counter at a vet.

[Total loss]

Johnnytheboy said:

Superficial said:

Doubt you'll be able to get hold of these for this time but definitely worth ordering for in the future:

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3657-o-tom-tick-remover...

These work really well - you can certainly buy them over the counter at a vet.

Another recommendation for the O'Tom tick remover (about £4 from the in house Vets at "Pets at Home"), watch the video, it really is that easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnD6x0svOJE

Edited by Total loss on Friday 23 December 19:36

[Druid]

Easy with tweezers, don't get carried away with the witchcraft!

[Who me ?]

OIL - any sort - or marg - they breath through body when head in victum . Douse body in oil /marge ,then they suffocate or get out . Just make sure ypou get the body (douse body in petrol and set fire ) . Don't pull them out - the head seperates from the body ,leaving an infection site . I come from sheep country ,being used to having ticks cling to me.Other option is to "persuade " them to leave host by applying heat ( fag end) close to body)

[bexVN]

I always used to suggest smothering with marg or similar, it seemed to work well but we've been told not to advise this anymore as the tick can release toxins into the blood stream whilst dying. I've never seen a problem by using marg/butter etc but there you go!

[LordHaveMurci]

I've always used my Mums trick of applying whisky or nail varnish remover then removing with tweezers. Been doing it for over 20yrs without any issues, can't say I've ever enjoyed doing it though!

[Total loss]

While other methods have worked successfully for many, below are the reasons you shouldn't use them.
Borreliosis is Lymes disease

Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness UK said:

Correct Tick Removal
How a tick is removed is extremely important. Incorrect removal can result in:

The tick's mouth parts being left behind in the skin.

Compression of the tick's abdomen.

Puncture of the tick's body.

Injury and stress to the tick.

These in turn can result in localised infection from foreign bodies and the introduction of infective organisms from the tick's stomach contents and saliva.

Leaving behind the tick's mouth parts can result in septic abscesses which, in severe cases, can lead to septicaemia.

Compressing the tick's abdomen can cause its stomach contents to be squeezed back into the blood stream of its host.

Puncturing the body of the tick can spill its stomach contents, which may contain infective organisms.

Causing injury or stress to the tick can result in it regurgitating the blood meal that it has ingested. This may contain infective organisms and result in the host contracting a serious infection/s.

Stress to the tick can result from applying solutions such as alcohol, aftershave, oils / butter, paraffin or petroleum jelly. It can also result from applying a freezing agent or burning the tick with a cigarette, lighter, or match head.

These methods might be successful in getting a tick to release its grip, but they can also significantly increase the chances of disease transmission.
There are only two safe ways to remove an attached tick:

With Fine-tipped Tweezers

With a Tick-removal Tool

[omgus]

My cats get them quite a lot in the summer, with practice tweezers are what I find easiest, but tick removers are brilliant if you have a furry ball of death that hates being held while you get them.
I will have to try the oil method on her in future

I would try taking her to the vet, but it would be a very similar traumatic experience to one I have read on here.