Ticks – Ick!

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair

Several years ago while still living in the Chicago suburbs, I was shocked to find a tick on my miniature schnauzer, Destiny. It was just beginning to feed and not fully engorged. I confess that I panicked and using my fingernails quickly plucked it from the back of her neck, cleaned the area and rushed her to the vet taking the tick with me in a plastic sandwich bag.

The kind staff and vet examined Destiny and calmed me laughing a little, as they had never seen me over-react. Fortunately, I had removed all of the tick, and my girl was fine. Before I left the office, I was educated about proper tick removal. Although a bit unpleasant because I think all bugs and spiders are icky, it is a fairly easy process.

A tick has a one-piece body. Its mouth’s harpoon-like barbs attach to the host for feeding while its legs and a sticky secretion help hold it in place. I learned that it needs to be removed promptly and correctly to prevent infection and spread of disease.

Using a pair of tweezers is the most effective way to remove the tick. The tweezers should have fine points. Regular household blunt tips could tear the tick and spread infection into the bite area.

Wash your hands. Disinfect the tweezers. Spread your dog’s fur and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull straight upward in a slow steady motion to prevent the tick’s mouth from breaking and remaining embedded in the skin (ICK!)

Better than tweezers is a tick removal hook. Various kinds can be found on-line. They have two prongs which fit on either side of the tick, and you twist upward.

Never remove a tick with your fingers because you may not get all the tick and your squeezing may spread infection.

After you have removed the tick, clean the area with rubbing alcohol. Wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the tweezers or hook. Watch your dog’s bite area and behavior for signs of infection.

Today, living in Colorado, my hiking friends and I check ourselves and our dogs when we return from outdoor adventures and fortunately have not found any ticks. We will keep checking because this is supposedly a “high tick season.”

According to Chris Roundy a medical entomologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “Mild temperatures this winter combined with warmer than usual weather in the spring mean a heavier tick season which can also mean a bigger year for tick-borne illnesses, most of which fortunately are rare in Colorado but none of which are fun.

And that means, whether you and your dog are out and about in the mountains, on the plains or in your yard, you need to check for ticks after these outdoor excursions, safely removing them if you find them.”

Instructions for that safe removal match exactly to what I was instructed to do by Destiny’s veterinarian. If you have any questions about this process, you can consult with your veterinarian.

Tick season in Colorado usually peaks in June with activity beginning to taper off in late summer, but it can extend through October or later if temperatures remain mild.

I will continue to check Gracie after our outdoor jaunts and keep my fine pointed tweezers nearby just in case an icky tick appears. I learned my lesson and hope it helps you and your furry friends as you enjoy outdoor adventures this summer.

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