Ticks and You & Your Dog

Ticks are a part of life in Saskatchewan. We grow up knowing where they live and being taught to tuck our pants in our socks, but it never hurts to be reminded about the threats they pose and the proper removal of the little blood suckers.

There are No Shortcuts!

  • There is one proper way to remove a tick, so don’t fall for false methods of using ‘tricks’ like covering it with oil or putting a lighted match to it.
  • Using these methods will induce vomiting in the tick and that means that any disease they may be carrying is being injected into your body. To avoid that, use the method described below.

The Proper Method to Remove the Tick

  • Use a pair of finely pointed tweezers.
  • Work the tweezer points between the tick’s body and your skin (or your dog’s skin, of course).
  • Squeeze the tweezers. This will stop it from regurgitating into your body.
  • Pull the tick out in a straight motion.
  • Dispose of the tick in a small jar or small closable bag.

Ticks and Lyme Disease

  • According to the website of the Government of Saskatchewan, more than 90 percent of ticks reported in Saskatchewan are American dog ticks.
  • American dog ticks to not carry Lyme disease.
  • The ticks that carry Lyme disease are deer ticks and they are the minority of ticks in Saskatchewan.
  • Still, if you see a red bullseye mark on your skin after a tick bite or have achy joints or unexplainable fatigue, talk to your doctor.

Dogs can benefit from the oral medication that help repel ticks from their skin. Call Martensville Veterinary Hospital for information about tick medication for your dog.

X