Tick!

Lieja

My boy has a tick just above his eye and I'm not sure what to do. I would usually tweezer it out, but my last pup had a tick that I removed, and not long after she got very ill and had to be pts, although it was never linked to the tick, we never found out the cause of her problems.

I'm terrified that the same will happen to my boy now. What should I do?

elsien

Donkeys years ago, my dad used to use surgical spirit to get ticks to let go. You'd have to be careful with it being so close to the eye though - maybe soak some cotton wool and use that?

MrsAtobe

I'd go to the vets, get them to remove it, not terribly MSE, but perhaps worth it for peace of mind?

wisterias

Try to pull it gently with tweezers. Some come out easily. If no luck try putting alcohol gently onto it with cotton wool. That sometimes works.
I have heard of smearing them with Vaseline which stops them breathing and they are easy to pull away gently but I have never tried that one.
My cat had one and got Lymes disease. Before we knew what it was the vet gave her antibiotics and anti-inflammatorys and she recovered bless her. It was touch and go.

scaredy_cat

it might be as well to get the vet to take it out and get an anti b shot.

MrsAtobe

If you smear them with Vaseline, then they regurgitate their stomach contents into the dogs, which can cause infection. Please don't. Get your vet to teach you how to remove them, mine uses a special tick removing tool.

Lieja

We've had a go at taking it out with tweezers but he was having none of it so I think it might have to be a visit to the vet. Anybody have any idea what they'll charge?

UKTigerlily

Probably a consultation fee which can vary from vet to vet. You need to turn it as you pull it backward in a straight line, grip it as close to the skin as you can. Sometimes they will just fall off
when out drop in alcohol to kill it

Lieja

Thanks for the replies - I think I'm definitely going to have to take him to the vet to get it out. He won't stay still for me to take it out and holding him down doesn't work! What happens if they're left in?

scaredy_cat

the tick would eventually fall off once it's engorged with blood, but its secreting into the dog's blood stream enzymes that stop the blood clotting like leeches do. thus that is hoe the Lymes disease is transmitted.

zaksmum

You can get a tick tool for a couple of pounds from most pet supply companies. I have mine on my keyring now so it's always to hand. You just slide the tool under the tick and lift upwards. It comes away easily then without leaving any mouth parts behind.

It's a sort of thin slightly scooped metal blade with a slot in it.