Spring walks through grassy fields and wooded trails are one of the great pleasures of the season. They also bring dogs into contact with ticks. Prevention products recommended by your veterinarian are the first line of defense, but a quick tick check after outings adds another layer of protection.
Where ticks like to hide
Ticks often climb onto a dog from grass or brush and crawl to warm, protected areas before attaching. Pay special attention to:
- Inside and around the ears
- Around the eyes and on the head and neck
- Under the collar or harness
- Under the front legs, in the armpits
- Between the toes and around the paw pads
- Around the tail and the groin area
- Along the belly
How to do a check
- Choose a well-lit spot. Some owners do checks outdoors or in a bathtub so loose ticks are easy to spot.
- Run your fingers slowly through your dog’s coat, pressing gently enough to feel the skin.
- Feel for small bumps. Ticks can be as small as a sesame seed or even smaller, especially young ticks.
- Part the fur to look closely at any bump you find.
- Check the areas listed above carefully, not just the back.
A lint roller or fine-toothed comb can help catch unattached ticks on the coat. Check your own clothing and skin too.
If you find an attached tick
Remove it promptly. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool:
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking.
- Do not squeeze the tick’s body, and do not use heat, petroleum jelly or nail polish to make it detach.
- Clean the area and wash your hands.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes this method for people at cdc.gov, and the same basic technique is widely recommended for pets. Ask your veterinarian to show you if you are unsure.
If you want your vet to identify the tick, place it in a sealed bag or small container. Note the date and where you think your dog picked it up.
Watch for signs afterward
Most tick bites do not lead to illness, but tick-borne diseases can occur. Signs in dogs can be vague and may appear weeks later. Contact your veterinarian if your dog shows:
- Lethargy or reduced appetite
- Fever
- Lameness or swollen joints, sometimes shifting from leg to leg
- Redness or swelling at the bite site that does not settle
- Any other unusual change in behavior or health
Make tick checks part of your post-walk routine, just like wiping paws in winter. Your veterinarian can recommend the right prevention for your region and whether testing for tick-borne disease is appropriate. This article is general information only.
