Dog flea and tick control

The common dog tick can be found in tall grass and shrubs and sometimes in your own backyard. Most people are not aware of the dangers one tick can inflict your dog, therefore it is necessary for you to check up on your dog on a regular basis, especially when it comes back from a field day in the woods or its daily walk to the park.

Ticks are small external blood-feeding parasites that get attached to your dog. The common dog tick is the sheep tick which has a large abdomen which stretches as it fills with blood. They are usually found on the underside of the dog, under the forelegs and on the head.

Dog ticks can be very irritating and soar for your pet and in some cases may live for some time on the blood of your dog. They carry many different diseases that can be dangerous to your dog and sometimes to other members of your household, so getting rid of them quickly is essential.

Fleas can also be very irritating for your dog and often cause an allergic reaction. Check your dog for bites which look like small red pimples, any black, gritty material in the coat, and areas of inflammation on the animals back. If your dog scratches itself a lot then it probably has fleas.

How do i remove a tick from my dog?
Removing a tick from your dog is not complicated. However, it is important to remove the tick properly and with little damage or pain to your dog. If you find a tick attached to your dog’s skin, remember to remove it immediately by following these instructions:

Use regular tweezers to grab the tick’s legs or mouth, which is the area attached to your dog’s skin; whatever you do, do not grab the tick by its body. Firmly pull it in an upright position without twisting it as you pull. Some ticks may cling to your dog, in which case you should apply some regular cooking oil to release their grip. Also try moving the tick from side to side to unhook its jaws while pulling away from the skin.

Tick hooks are also very effectives in removing ticks from the skin of your dog, without leaving the mouth-parts of the tick planted in the skin or compressing the abdomen of the ticks.

Look to see that you have pulled the tick in its complete form. If the tick’s jaw or head is still stuck into the skin, you must remove it as well, otherwise an abscess may form.

Personally, I flush my dog’s ticks down the toilet; although I have read that placing the tick in a jar of alcohol will kill it, no doubt.

Don’t forget to disinfect the bitten area and the tool used to remove the tick with antiseptic or soapy water. I usually dab a piece of cotton ball in a bit of alcohol and clean the infected area; pay extra attention if you get anywhere near your dog’s ears or face.

Wash your hands.

If you have any concerns at all with removing a tick by yourself, consult your vet as soon as possible.

Dog flea and tick prevention
When the weather gets hot outside that is when the ticks “come out to play”. Spring-clean your house and treat your dog’s favorite places with a suitable insecticidal spray. It is crucial to treat your dog kennel and dog house as well as your yard with tick-killing pesticide keeping the area clean.

I highly recommend using flea and tick collars as a good extra precaution for your beloved pet. Frontline Plus for example will provide your dog with extra flea and tick protection. In addition to killing 98-100% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours, Frontline Plus contains a special ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae, too, and keeps all stages of fleas from developing. It also kills all stages of 4 major ticks including those that may transmit Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It’s important to choose the right Frontline flea and tick treatment based on your dog size and weight. Don’t hold back when it comes to your dog’s health – click here for discount Frontline Plus.

Posted in April 22nd, 2008 by Pets Trends |