How to remove a tick from a dog

23 October 2023

HOME FOOD Blog: How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

How to Remove a Tick from a Dog

Along with the joy of active outdoor time come uninvited guests — ticks. These tiny parasites can carry dangerous infections, so quickly and correctly removing a tick is an important part of caring for your dog's health.

In this blog post, we will explain how to safely remove a tick, avoid injuring your pet's skin, and reduce the risk of infection. You will learn about the right tools, step-by-step actions, and helpful tips to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

What Diseases Do Ticks Transmit to Dogs

Ticks are vectors of several serious infectious diseases in dogs. They can infect an animal during a bite when infectious agents enter the bloodstream. The main diseases that pose the greatest danger to dogs include:

Lyme disease (borreliosis)

	Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms include fever, weakness, loss of appetite, joint pain, swelling, and lameness. Without treatment, borreliosis can become chronic and lead to damage to joints and kidneys.
Ehrlichiosis

	Caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia that enter the blood through the bite of an infected tick. Characteristic manifestations are fever, anemia, weakness, bleeding, enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. The disease can become chronic and cause serious damage to the blood-forming system.
Anaplasmosis

	Caused by bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum or A. platys. The disease manifests with fever, loss of appetite, weakness, joint pain, and blood clotting disorders.
Babesiosis (piroplasmosis)

	Caused by single-celled parasites Babesia spp that attack red blood cells. Symptoms include anemia, weakness, jaundice, fever, dark urine. Without prompt therapy, the disease can be fatal.

Other rare diseases that ticks can transmit to dogs

Hepatozoonosis — caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Hepatozoon. Some ticks (e.g., Amblyomma) can serve as reservoirs for this pathogen. The disease manifests with weakness, loss of appetite, fever, and muscle atrophy.
Neoehrlichiosis (“Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis”) — a less studied rickettsial pathogen detected in ticks and dogs.
Mycoplasmosis (hemotropic mycoplasmas) — for example, Mycoplasma canis or “Ca. Mycoplasma haematoparvum”, which were found in studies of tick-infected dogs.
Rickettsioses (rare strains) — in addition to more well-known diseases, ticks can carry other rickettsiae. Veterinary recommendations mention Rickettsia spp. as potential pathogens for dogs.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) — an infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, which in dogs can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and in severe cases — neurological symptoms.

What Ticks Are Common in Ukraine, Which Are Dangerous for Dogs, and Why Not Every Tick Is a Threat

1. Main tick species in Ukraine
In Ukraine, two species dominate among ixodid ticks — Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus.

Ixodes ricinus (common castor bean tick) is very widespread in forests and grassy areas.
Dermacentor reticulatus (so-called “meadow tick” or ornate dog tick) is even more widespread: for example, in western Ukraine it dominates among collected ticks (over 80%). In some regions, other less common species are also recorded — for example, Ixodes kaiseri.

2. Where they are most often found

I. ricinus is usually active in forested areas, grassy thickets, parks, etc.
D. reticulatus can be found in both open grassy habitats and urbanized areas, and this tick shows activity even in cold months.
According to studies in Ternopil region, D. reticulatus predominates in numbers compared to I. ricinus.

3. Which of them are dangerous for dogs
Both species (I. ricinus and D. reticulatus) in Ukraine can carry pathogens of dangerous diseases:

According to studies, I. ricinus has a high prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
Ticks of both species have been found to carry rickettsiae (Rickettsia spp.) and other pathogens.
In addition, Ixodes ricinus and D. reticulatus can carry Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease pathogen).

4. Why not every tick is infected

Not all ticks carry pathogens. Only a certain percentage of ticks in a population may be infected — this depends on the region, tick species, and environmental conditions. For example, studies have shown that the proportion of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in I. ricinus is about 10%, and in D. reticulatus it is lower.
Environmental factors affect infection rates: ticks collected in forested areas have a higher likelihood of being infected than those living in open “meadows”.
Feeding cycle and acute contact: the tick must “acquire” the pathogen while feeding on a reservoir host (e.g., rodents or wild animals). If the tick has not previously fed on an infected host — it cannot be a carrier.
Coinfection (“co-infection”): sometimes ticks can carry more than one pathogen, but this is not always the case — many ticks carry only one or are not infected at all.

Why Ticks Are Dangerous Even in Winter

Many dog owners mistakenly believe that the cold season is a safe period when the risk of tick bites is minimal. In fact, ticks remain active even during winter, and the threat to dogs exists year-round.

Today, ticks are adapting to climate change and mild winters, which is typical for many regions of Ukraine. For example, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus can survive at temperatures around 0 °C, and under snow cover they can remain active while searching for a host. Mild winters and early thaws extend the period of tick activity, so even in December–January there is a risk of infection.

Moreover, winter walks in snow, groves, parks, or on private garden territory still expose the dog to contact with ticks that hide in fallen leaves, grass, or under snow. It is important to remember that a tick is not always immediately noticeable, and it can transmit dangerous infections already within 12–24 hours after the bite.

Therefore, even in the cold season, it is worth using tick protection products, carefully inspecting the dog after walks, and promptly removing any found parasites. Year-round prevention is the key to your furry friend's health.

How to Properly Remove a Tick Yourself

The safest and most correct option is to see a veterinarian, especially if the tick is large, deeply attached, or you are unsure of your skills. A vet will not only remove the tick without harming the dog but also assess the risk of infections it may have transmitted.

If for some reason you cannot immediately see a specialist, you can try to remove the tick yourself. Here it is important to consider the size of the tick and the depth of its attachment:

Small tick (larva or nymph): carefully grasp the tick with tweezers or a special hook by the head as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull straight out vertically, avoiding twisting or crushing.
Medium and large tick (adult female or male): use special tick removal tools, such as loops or tick removers. Grasp tightly close to the skin and slowly pull straight upward, avoiding sharp movements that could leave part of the mouthparts in the skin.

Why a Tick Sometimes Bites Even If the Dog Is Treated

Many dog owners are surprised why a tick can attach even after using parasite protection products. It is important to understand that no product gives a 100% guarantee, and the reason lies in the biology of the tick and the mechanisms of action of the products.

Product activation time

	Repellents and insecticidal drops, sprays, or collars do not work instantly. Some products repel ticks, others kill them after attachment within several hours. In the interval between contact and the tick's death, it may have time to bite the dog.
Different parasite sensitivity

	Ticks of different species or even different life stages (larva, nymph, adult) have varying sensitivity to products. For example, nymphs are often more resilient and less sensitive to some repellents than adult ticks.
Incorrect application or distribution of the product

	If drops were not applied to dry skin, or the collar does not contact the dog's body along its entire length, the product's effectiveness decreases. As a result, the tick may attach in areas with insufficient concentration of the active substance.
Weather conditions and animal physiology

	Rain, bathing, shampooing, or oily coat can reduce the effectiveness of topical products. Also, tick activity in nature changes depending on temperature and humidity — in favorable conditions they are more active and persistent.
Mechanism of action of products

	Many modern products work through contact — the tick must touch the treated skin or coat surface for the product to take effect. Until that contact occurs, the tick may attempt to attach.

Therefore, in regions with high tick activity, it is especially important to use modern, certified products year-round, not just during the warm season. Year-round prevention in “high-risk zones” is the key to minimizing disease risk and preserving your pet's health.

	Quantity	Out of stock

Total 0.00 грн Proceed to checkout