My grandparents’ dog Foxy came in contact with all sorts of strange Louisiana country bugs during her daily exploration of their enormous backyard. These strange bugs often included ticks: parasites which can live in any wooded area. When Foxy ran through the tall grass, a waiting tick could attach to her skin and feed on her blood. Once it became attached to her, it could possibly stay there for days unless it was removed.
Because Foxy’s lifestyle made her prone to getting ticks, my grandparents made sure to check her skin each day. They closely inspected her body, face, and even the hard to reach areas where one could hide such as her armpits, in and around her ears, under her chin, and between her toes.
Ticks can carry diseases and cause anemia, so whenever my grandparents found one they made sure to remove it quickly. While wearing gloves and using an instrument that is specially designed to remove ticks, they grabbed the tick close to Foxy’s skin and pulled it out in one continuous, smooth motion. Using the remover helped make sure the head didn’t get stuck in her skin and also didn’t require anyone to touch the tick. After removing the tick, they cleaned the area and thoroughly disinfected the remover.
Thankfully Foxy never became sick from a tick bite, but my grandparents always kept an eye on her to make sure she didn’t become lethargic or feverish after removal. If she ever showed these signs of illness, she would have needed veterinary attention.
Ideally, the best way to prevent ticks is to keep dogs out of high grass and wooded areas. But dogs like Foxy who are happiest in nature should receive monthly tick prevention to reduce the risk of disease carrying ticks.
Ticks are parasites found in tall grass and wooded areas which attach to mammals (including dogs, cats, and humans) and feed on their blood. Regularly check your pets for ticks if they spend time outside, especially if they have been in a high grass or wooded area. Ticks should be removed quickly because they can carry diseases and cause anemia. When removing a tick, be sure to wear gloves and disinfect the tick remover after use. If your pet becomes lethargic or ill after a tick bite, see a vet. Giving monthly tick prevention (such as Nexgard for dogs) can help reduce this risk.
