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I remember the first time EB got a tick and I had a mild panic about having to get it off of her! I was terrified that I'd do it wrong, or end up hurting her.
However, once I learnt this super simple technique using a
tick remover tool I was all set.
Check out the video below to see how I use a tick twister to remove a tick.
WARNING: This video contains close images of ticks.
It's important that you can see what you're doing, to ensure that you remove the tick fully.
You want to slide the V shape of the remover tool around the tick, keeping it as close to your dog's skin as possible.
I once read that you should twist in a clockwise direction, however I've since learnt that it doesn't matter which direction you twist in.
Once you've twisted the remover around a couple of times, gently lift it up. If there's any resistance, the tick hasn't released yet.
If the tick hasn't released, twist again.
Once you've got the tick off, place it on a tissue so you can check it more easily. You want to ensure the entire tick has been removed, in particular the mouth area.
Ticks are potential carriers of several diseases so you need to be careful when disposing of them. My go-to method is squashing it and flushing it down the toilet. If the tick is engorged, blood may splatter when you squash it so wrap it in tissue first - you don't want to come into contact with the blood or squashed tick.
If any part of the tick is left embedded, or if you don’t feel confident with the removal process, please consult your vet.
Teaching your dog to remain calm during husbandry procedures like tick removals is really important. This is something we cover in the
Beginners Course.
