Need help on removing those pesky ticks your dog and cat pick up from outside?\u00a0 Check out ASPCA\u2019s article:<\/p>\n
So, you\u2019ve found a tick <\/strong><\/em>on your pet\u2014how do you deal with it? While it\u2019s important to get these little suckers off quickly, ASPCA veterinarians advise that you stay calm and don\u2019t rush it. Moving too fast when removing a tick could potentially create more problems, both for your pet and for you.<\/p>\n While the following instructions employ tweezers, be aware that there are some very good products on the market designed specifically for safe tick removal. If you live in a tick-heavy area or are taking your pets to a place where they are likely to get ticks, it\u2019s a good idea to buy one of these tools and have it on hand. They generally work better than tweezers at getting out the whole tick<\/strong><\/em>, and are relatively inexpensive.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Tick Removal Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 1\u2014Prepare its Final Resting Place \u2013 <\/strong>Throwing a tick in the trash or flushing it down the toilet will not kill it, and it\u2019s actually best to hold on to it for awhile for veterinary testing in case your pet falls ill from the bite. Be ready with somewhere to put the tick <\/strong><\/em>after you\u2019ve removed it\u2014the best option is a screw-top jar containing some rubbing alcohol.<\/p>\n Step 2\u2014Don\u2019t Bare-Hand It \u2013 <\/strong>Put on latex or rubber gloves so you\u2019ll never have direct contact with the tick or your pet\u2019s bite area. Ticks can carry infective agents that may enter your bloodstream through breaks in your skin or through mucous membranes (if you touch your eyes, nostrils or mouth).<\/p>\n Step 3\u2014Grab a Partner \u2013 <\/strong>You don\u2019t want your pet squirming away before you\u2019re finished, so if possible, have a helper on hand to distract, soothe or hold her still.<\/p>\n Step 4\u2014The Removal \u2013 <\/strong>Treat the bite area with rubbing alcohol and, using a pair of tweezers, grasp the tick <\/strong><\/em>as close to the animal\u2019s skin as possible. Pull straight upwards with steady, even pressure. Place the tick in your jar.<\/p>\n Step 5\u2014All that Remains \u2013 <\/strong>Sometimes, in spite of doing everything right, a tick\u2019s mouth-parts will get left behind in your pet\u2019s skin. If the area doesn\u2019t appear red or inflamed, the best thing to do is to disinfect it and not to try to take the mouth-parts out. A warm compress to the area might help the body expel them, but do not go at it with tweezers.<\/p>\n Step 6\u2014Clean Up \u2013 <\/strong>Thoroughly disinfect the bite site and wash your hands with soap and water (even though you were wearing gloves). Sterilize your tweezers with alcohol or by carefully running them over a flame.<\/p>\n Step 7\u2014Keep Watch \u2013 <\/strong>Over the next few weeks, closely monitor the bite area for any signs of localized infection. If the area is already red and inflamed, or becomes so later, please bring your pet\u2014and your jarred tick\u2014to your veterinarian for evaluation.<\/p>\n\n