Removing Ticks

Here, on the Canadian Prairies, we have wood ticks from mid-April till August. Although it is usually reported that they come from Oak trees and tall grass, we find them in the rock runs where there is no grass. I suspect the winds blow them around.

It is VERY important that you remove the head of the tick - not just the body.

To remove a tick - swollen or newly attached, have your ear forceps, a needle - either a sewing needle or a #25 needle (for a syringe,) and a bit of alcohol or betadine or some other antiseptic within reach.

I stand the dog on the grooming table, and grip the tick's body GENTLY (so it doesn't squish :-) with the forceps or the tweezer.

Then, insert the point of the needle UNDER the head, where it's dug in and lift up some flesh with the needle . (lifting the body slightly with the forcep helps to find the point of insertion.) The dog will not object to this pin prick and slight 'digging' to release the tick's mouth.

When you have loosened the head of the tick this way, gently pull the body BACK with the forceps and the tick will come out with a piece of flesh still visible in it's mouth.

Swab the area with disinfectant. I keep an old spice jar on the grooming table filled with alcohol, and I drop the tick from the forceps right into the alcohol, put the lid back on and it eventually dies in the bottle.

If you still have the head of the tick imbedded in the dog, then apply warm salt water soaks to soften it a bit so you can squeeze it out. You may have to open it up first with a needle, then squeeze it out - like a sliver. Put a little disinfectant into the area.

Last Update: Terms of Use and Disclaimer.