One of the very popular ones says that ticks fall down like vultures from trees when they attack their victims. The reality is less spectacular: Most parasites pass unnoticed on bushes, shrubs and grasses and simply jump on the dogs and cats when they pass by.
Ticks are active from March to November and they can host one or more pathogens. Dogs are affected much more frequently than cats. The most significant risks are the Lyme disease and babesiosis, or the so-called "dog’s malaria."
Ticks are masters of disguise - at least initially
Few pet owners notice that their four-legged friend has an unwelcome visit immediately. A tick is tiny when it is not soaked with blood. Obviously, the fur of the four-legged friend is a great hiding place.
Ticks are often only noticed when they already have a considerable girth. But then quick action is needed both in dogs and in cats.
An infection is always possible
There is always the risk of transmission of infections with all blood-sucking parasites. The warming climate and common foreign travels by animal owners exacerbate the problem: more and more ticks are brought to the United States from southern countries. The carrying of diseases in the luggage was no problem in this country in the past. But how do you remove a tick? Different pieces of advice have been circulating over the years.
Is it useful to grease the fur before removing the tick?
One of the more radical pieces of advice is to grease the coat with oil or gas prior to removing the tick. This way, the tick goes out of breath, its mouth parts loosen and thus it is easier for you to remove it – at least in theory.
This "special treatment" has a catch: The tick is put under massive stress. This may mean that it secretes more saliva. Also, smaller amounts of blood from its stomach go back into the bloodstream of the quadruped.
That means: If the tick carries pathogens, the risk of transmission to the four-legged friend is increased drastically. Therefore, this method is not advisable.
Pulling out vs. twisting
Many people do not know whether they should pull the ticks out or rotate them. It is important to know that ticks do not "screw" in the skin. They have barbs on the sting apparatus and release a special adhesive before they "dock." So they use two strategies to anchor themselves firmly to the skin.
The answer is: You can both pull out the tick or twist it to remove it from the skin of the animal. Florian Reese, expert veterinarian, says: "It is not the method that is important, but that the tick is removed completely."
But that also means that there is always a residual risk that parts of the mouth parts remain in the skin with the two methods.
Tips for successful tick removal
Of course, you can use a simple pair of tweezers. However, it is much more convenient to use special instruments, such as ticks hooks, tick pliers or tick cards. You can order these instruments on an online pet store or you can buy them from the vet.
Regardless of which instrument you prefer, it is important that you fix it as close to the skin as possible. This is the best way to prevent any mouthparts from remaining stuck into the skin. You can even blot the spot if you want and you think this helps.
However, removing the tick successfully does not mean that no pathogens have been transmitted. You should consult a veterinarian and tell him about the ticks if your pet presents any behavioral problems or disease symptoms.
Prevention is even better
It is advisable to check out your four-legged for ticks after going on trips. Anyway, you should take precautions and use a tick repellent. For example, you can buy a tick collar for your pet. Or you can apply a so-called spot-on preparation. Following a recommendation by the American Association of Small Animal Medicine and the Federation of Practicing Veterinarians, dogs should be treated from spring to late fall. Actually, they should be treated all year round.
Equally recommended
You can ask the vet what treatment your four-legged friend should pursue. You can also learn about specific disease-protective vaccines.
