Lets talk Ticks *Shudder*
Its that time of year again when those creepy, crawly, parasites are back. A few things you can do to help keep them off of your dog and out of the house.
Medication
Topical preventives such as Revolution or Advantage are a great product. The oil is applied in between the shoulder blades and soaked into the skin. When a tick bites onto your dog it slowly shrivels up a dies. I suggest going to your vet rather than the pet store. There have been a lot health stories relating to pet store brands. Do your research, read some reviews, and talk to your vet. There is also a newer oral pill that repels and kills the ticks as well.
Natural Repent Spray
In a spray bottle mix together 1 cup of water, 2 cups of distilled white vinegar(ticks hate the smell and taste), and 2 Tablespoons of vegetable or almond oil (both contain sulfur which is a natural repellent). Spray onto your dog’s dry coat avoiding sensitive areas such as nose, mouth, and genitals. This mixture is also great for humans as well. You can mix up a separate bottle and add a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil which will repel ticks and create a nicely scented spray
Well Groomed Coat
Keeping your dog mat free and properly brushed will also help make it easier when it comes to checking for ticks. Ticks like to attach around the muzzle, ears, neck, ribs and armpits. If your dog will tolerate it I suggest taking a hairdryer with the pointed attachment, turning it on cool and low, and slowly running it over your dog. The dryer will help separate the hair to the skin making ticks easier to spot. This only works if your pooch is well brushed.
I’ve found one! Now What?!?
So you have found a tick attached to your dog. We have all heard different ways to remove ticks. Burn the bum, cover in Vick’s Vapor Rub, click your heels 3 times, touch your nose and shout boogie boogie! The easiest way to remove a tick is by grabbing a pair of tweezers and get as close to the head of the tick as you can. Slowly pull the tick off. Avoid “plucking” the tick as this can cause the head to break off. I’m sure that everyone has heard different ways to kill ticks. Burn them, squish them, flush them, etc. The best and most effective way? Drop that little bugger into a container of rubbing alcohol! It sounds disgusting, but I keep a sour cream container with a lid half full of rubbing alcohol under the sink ready to go. Once it gets full I flush it down the toilet and start again.