TIPS ON TICKS: from Dr. Greg Griffeth, our board certified dermatologist Ticks are a significant and growing problem for pets as well as people. While there are many products that help to prevent tick infestation, none of them are 100% effective...so even with the very best parasite control available, many dogs will be attacked by these horrid arachnids from time to time. Removing them from your pet quickly is good...not only because they’re icky, but quick removal reduces the chances of catching the diseases that ticks commonly transmit. Many ticks actually secrete a form of ‘glue’ or ‘cement’ that semi-permanently bonds the tick’s mouthparts and head to the victim’s skin, so none of the methods that involve heat (matches, for example) or suffocation (nail polish, Vaseline) are effective...in fact they may increase the likelihood of disease transmission. There has been a surprising amount of research into tick removal. The safest and most effective method is “atraumatic traction,” a fancy way to say “gently pulling.” There are several tools available that use “V” shaped slots, and these have been shown to be effective while reducing the chance of leaving mouthparts behind. You simply slide the opening in the tool around the tick’s head slowly until the tool will move no farther. Then, pull gently away from the skin until the tick comes away. This can take several minutes, but be patient: complete removal reduces the risks of complications greatly. You can make a simple homemade version of this tool by cutting a narrow “V” into a thin but stiff sheet of plastic like a notebook cover or “Do Not Disturb” sign from a hotel room. The “V” should be about ½” across at the open end, and about 2” from there to the point. You can use blunt tweezers as well, but don’t grab the tick’s body...close them partially between the tick and the skin and pull gently as above. Even the most skilled tick-removal experts will leave mouthparts behind sometimes. This isn’t an emergency; the remnants will slough away soon with normal turnover of skin cells in most patients. If, however, there is pain, redness, or swelling at the site at any time, you should see your veterinarian right away.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:29:48 +0000
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