how do ticks look.

[Milos Mommy]

hey everyone i have a question about ticks.. i saw a lil dark hard bump on milos neck this morning.. and i pulled it off he had a scabby in the afternoon when i checked on it after school.. i was wondering what ticks look like maybe i just pulled off a piece of dry blood. but im scared i dont want milo to have ticks.. i have caught him scratching his neck and i was wondering is it ticks? i use harts tick and mite prevention but im about to buy frontline because i heard it works better. this is my first pup and i dont want my baby suffering.. thanks all in advance who reply!

 

[SummerRiot]

you'll know its a tick when you see it.. TRUST ME

Jada had a tick on her neck today.. no CLUE where she gotit from.. possibly from the show..

anyways before they are attached to the skin - they are tiny and dark coloured.. they have forcep like front pincher looking things.. and they have an oval shaped body.
After they are attached and have been sucking for a bit.. they turn to a grey or redish colour (depending on the kind)...

I actually took a picture of Jadas tick on her neck before we pulled it out.. but it was half covered in hair and it wasn't the best to see..

Anyways NEVER just yank them off.. you have to MAKE SURE the head of the tick comes out - if it doesn't your in trouble and must go to the vet asap.

There is a tick device you can get that looks like the back of a hammer.. you put that between the tick, twist and the tick will come out nicely.

 

[ToscasMom]

Here's a photo link. Scuse me now I gotta run and scratch all over...

http://www.oes.org/html/how_2_identify_different_ticks.html

 

[Amalthea]

You will be able to see the legs of the tick, even for the smallest ones. some of the tiny ones can look like a scab, but look closely and you will see the legs and head. my puppy Midas had literally hundreds of tiny deer ticks on him from being neglected in the country we've had quite enough of the little nasty bloodsuckers!

 

[Ashlea]

With their eyes. Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

 

[Julie]

When you pulled it off it would be moving....and they cling to your finger.
You would have to kill it. :yikes:

I am glad you are going to stop using hartz flea or tick products. Not only they are ineffective they are also not nearly as safe as the frontline you also mentioned.

 

[Debi]

I've had great success with pulling the tick STRAIGHT out, then put it in rubbing alcohol. (I read where they don't die if flushed..eewwww...what??? do they jump back out of the toilet??? lol) don't be surprised to see a scab, or irritation at the tick sight. their saliva is an irritant...Addie even has a little scar from one. you may also see hair loss at the tick sight...normal. I rub a bit of alcohol over the area after removing. I've had Addie get a tick even using Frontline, BUT they don't seem too attached. (like without any protection)

 

[MomOf7]

Ticks carry lyme disease. Thought I might let ya all know!

 

[FoxyWench]

you shouldnt use rubbing alcohol, it can flush toxins deeper into the bite.
after removing a tick use some antibacterial soap and water to clean the area then use bactrin, neosprorin ect on the bit untill it scabs.

watch for lymes and toxosis. im not sure what ticks are prevelant in NC so it might be best to call your vet and find out things to watch for.
Switch to frontline and keep check on your pup.

 

[mrose_s]

mmm. ticks is just part of life here. you check your dog, you pull them off. you keep the frontline on them. easy as.

but the dogs around here pick up ticks pretty often

 

[bubbatd]

Deer ticks are nothing to fool with .........If you live in an infested area , I'd talk to your vet about the Lyme shot .

 

[SummerRiot]

While dog ticks are not healthy for your dog, it is the Deer Tick, the Lone Star Tick and the Westerm Black-Legged Tick that carry Lyme Disease. You can easily see dog ticks, but those three are tough to see. So unfortunately it is sad, and almost funny, but true:

If you can easily see the tick, there's nothing to worry about.
If you can't see a tick, be very, very afraid.



A quote from the site that Toscasmom sent..

Handy to know.