- Use Latex exam gloves to examine your pet for ticks. Examine using good lighting.
- Check your pet daily for ticks by thoroughly feeling for any lumps under the hair. Pay close attention to ears, around face, eyes, legs, and belly.
- Ticks will range in size from the size of a sesame seed to the size of a fingernail (engorged).
- When is tick is found embedded in the skin, use a fine pointed tweezers at the point of attachment, and grasp the tick head firmly. Remember to wear latex gloves when doing this.
- Using slow, steady, and firm traction, pull the tick straight out from the skin.
- It is critical to NOT squeeze the tick body at any time --this can inject more potential pathogens in to you or your pet while the tick is embedded.
- Cleanse the skin with mild soap and water. If a small part of the tick breaks off, you can try to remove it as you would a splinter, but it is probably best to leave it alone. The body will
eject it in time.
- Place the tick in a jar of alcohol, noting the date, in case of future illness. Tick identification and location of tick infestation will be important.
