Proper Tick Removal and Disposal

Since it is that time of year....

I just found this article in a vet supply catalog, thought I would share the info.

1.) Use a pair of fine tipped tweezers. Do not use bare fingers.

2.) Carefully grab the tick by the head right where they enter the skin.
Do not grasp by the body, this can crush the body and force bacteria
into the bloodstream.

3.) Pull directly outwards, do not jerk or twist as your pulling.

4.) Do not use petroleum jelly or alcohol on the tick. These methods will not cause the tick to back out. Instead those irritants may cause the tick to deposit more disease carrying saliva in to the wound.

5.) After removing the tick place it in alcohol to kill it. Do not crush the tick, the contents may contain disease.

6.) Do not worry about the tick head staying in, it rarely happens.

7.) Clean the wound with a disinfectant.

8.) Wash hands.

A hydrocortisone may be applied if a skin reaction occurs.

I always twisted ticks out and smooshed them...whoops...lol
Learn something new everyday.

Great posting.

Let's see, I am guilty of many of the no-no's. I don't twist them, but I pinch them off and always check and inspect the body for the tick head.

Then I smoosh them.

Guess I am going to need to rethink this process. I surely don't want to expose myself to tick germs!

I found the BEST tick removal tool last year - it's a tick lasso. Using it removes the whole tick, EVERY time without any of the issues of regurge that can stem from pinching, pulling, burning, suffocating, etc techniques. I've used it on cats, dogs, horses and humans with 100% super-easy removal every time.

As a side note, the only tick I've ever taken off my horse was so engorged by the time I found it right behind his withers that I couldn't get the head out.

Where did you find this tick lasso of which you speak?
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I got ours on E-bay - the one we have is the TRIX Tick Lasso -- you can find them on several sites online.

I just ordered myself 4! Looks great! Thanks for the tip!

Trix Tick Lasso - Tick Remover

That thing looks perfect for me! I hate bugs, lol. Thanks for sharing the info, themacpack, and thanks for the link, franknbeans!
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They are cheapest on eBay.

When I lived in Michigan, I never treated for ticks. They were not an issue where I lived or where I took my dogs. Fleas. Yes. Ticks, no.

After a weekend visit in Missouri, I was walking through my Michigan home and I saw these pale gray pods/seeds on the floor and thought, "WTH." I picked one up and couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was

UNTIL I SAW A BUNCH OF LITTLE STEMS MOVING ALONG TWO SIDES.



Upon further inspection, I realized the dozen or so PODS I was seeing were engorged ticks that got so big they FELL OFF MY DOG.

After puking because I was so grossed out, I called the vet and took her in for a special treatment. Then off to Petsmart for a bath and full body trim.

Just thinking of those gross buggers makes my skin crawl 3 yrs later. I had my entire house steralized and shampood the carpets.

I'm getting the heebie jeebies now, just remembering it.

ICK!!!

Yes - the tick lasso is the BEST!

If you want to do-it-yourself...dental floss works really well, too. You just make a loop around the tick where its head meets the skin and pull it tight. Pop! Right off, every time!