Aids HIV FAQ

Tick!!!

Question:

I have found the most effective way to kill ticks attached to my dogs is to dab lighter fluid on the entire body of the tick, sometimes it works immediately or it may  take a hour, but it will kill the tick, then pull them straight out. Where  we live we have a terrible tick problem.  This method has always worked for us .  

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Please tell me how to remove a tick.  I believe it is dead, but is still >> attached.  My poor baby has only had one other tick and it was small.  This >> one is the size of a pencil eraser and I’m even scared of it! >If you absolutely hate ticks, you can get a special little scooper that >removes the tick, head and all.  I think it is called ticked off or >something.  Otherwise, you can use a pair of tweezers.  Some people say >that you should heat them or a needle with a lighter, which makes the >tick contract.  It is imperative that you remove the head, as diseases >can be passed on as long as the head is stuck in there. > Hi James, > I wouldn’t recommend using anything "heated" because of the risk of > burn or irritation to the pet.

I wondered about this.  I just use regular tweezers and have not had a problem. James Hepler

Response:

>If it’s that large, it’s actually easier to remove than a smaller one. >When they become engorged, they can no longer reach well with their legs >to hold on. You may be able to get it to fall off by touching it lightly. >If not, try a pair of tweezers or the tick removers they sell at pet >stores. Afterwards, be sure to wash the area with alcohol or peroxide to >fight infection.

Hi Lisa, Actually, it’s the mandibles that are the most effective aspect in allowing a tick to "hold on", as well as being very effective.   >To prevent more ticks, Preventic collars are amazing. When we lived in >the country, our cocker had terrible ticks, until the vet sold us a >Preventic collar. I was skeptical, because no flea/tick collar had made a >dent. But these really do work.

Frontline also works well. >– >Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter. >                            Martin Luther King, Jr.

Michelle R. Lewis, LVT To email me just remove the "kitty" from my head.

Response:

>> Please tell me how to remove a tick.  I believe it is dead, but is still > attached.  My poor baby has only had one other tick and it was small.  This > one is the size of a pencil eraser and I’m even scared of it! >If you absolutely hate ticks, you can get a special little scooper that >removes the tick, head and all.  I think it is called ticked off or >something.  Otherwise, you can use a pair of tweezers.  Some people say >that you should heat them or a needle with a lighter, which makes the >tick contract.  It is imperative that you remove the head, as diseases >can be passed on as long as the head is stuck in there.

Hi James, I wouldn’t recommend using anything "heated" because of the risk of burn or irritation to the pet.  Instead using a tweezer grasped between the head and the body and drawing back with a firm and even pressure would be fine.  Also, never try to remove ticks by grasping the actual body of the tick, as this just aids in "pumping" the bacteria into the pet.  If the head is not removed, don’t panic.  The pet’s body will treat it like any other small foreign particle by encapsulating it and removing it.  If you’re really concerned about even the most minor infection if this occurs, simply use some hydrogen peroxide immediatley following the tick’s removal. >The easiest thing is the little device, which costs a few bucks. >James Hepler

Michelle R. Lewis, LVT To email me just remove the "kitty" from my head.

Response:

Check out the attached site (from the learn2 site) – I found it useful Sean > Please tell me how to remove a tick.  I believe it is dead, but is still > attached.  My poor baby has only had one other tick and it was small. This > one is the size of a pencil eraser and I’m even scared of it!

begin 600 http—www.learn2.com-05-0512-0512.html.url M6TEN=&5R;F5T4VAO<G1C=71=#0I54DP]:’1T<#HO+W=W=RYL96%R;C(N8V]M 7+S U+S U,3(O,#4Q,BYH=&UL#0H““] ` end

Response:

If it’s that large, it’s actually easier to remove than a smaller one. When they become engorged, they can no longer reach well with their legs to hold on. You may be able to get it to fall off by touching it lightly. If not, try a pair of tweezers or the tick removers they sell at pet stores. Afterwards, be sure to wash the area with alcohol or peroxide to fight infection. To prevent more ticks, Preventic collars are amazing. When we lived in the country, our cocker had terrible ticks, until the vet sold us a Preventic collar. I was skeptical, because no flea/tick collar had made a dent. But these really do work. — Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Response:

>With either your fingers or a pair of tweezers, twist in a circle motion >and pull gently (kindof like removing a cork from a bottle).  The tick >will come loose, and ultimately come right out.  It won’t hurt your dog >- trust me, ours get them all the time.  Just be sure you get the head! >If the head is left in, an infection can result.  You will be able to >tell if you got the head cause you can see the tiny little >feelers…it’s a really small little head for such a fat insect.

Hi Kathy, Actually, it’s a better procedure to grasp the tick with a tweezer at the cranial aspect of the body (between the head and where the body begins) and to pull with a firm (not hard) and even pressure (not jerking).  The tick will eventually let go.  Another method I’ve found useful is to use some concentrated flea and tick dip that owners might already have in thier homes.  Put a small amount on a q-tip and wipe it just immediately around the tick near the skin.  In about 5 minutes, the tick falls right off. One further point….  if someone doesn’t get the head along with the tick body, the chance of infection is actually very minimal.  The pet’s body will treat it like any other foreign body by encapsulating it and removing it from the body.  However, to prevent even the most minor infection, some hydrogen peroxide immediately following removal can be used.   Just my 0.02 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Good Luck.   >(Holding an ice cube to freeze it off will also work if the tweezers >gross you out too much). > Please tell me how to remove a tick.  I believe it is dead, but is still > attached.  My poor baby has only had one other tick and it was small.  This > one is the size of a pencil eraser and I’m even scared of it! >– >

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