My dog has a tick. Should I go to the vet or a pet store for removal?

Absolutely YES!!! I would recommend to have him checked by your veterinarian so an effective treatment to prevent tick infestation can be given as well.. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Yes you should be able to remove it at home, just ensure that you remove it completely as twisting can potentially cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin, if you have any doubts your veterinary clinic should be able to assist you. I would also recommend that you speak to your veterinary clinic regarding a tick prevention regime to prevent further ticks in the future and to discuss possible diseases in your area that could be contracted and if your pet maybe at risk.

It's best that this tick if removed from Kiba now to prevent it from feeding on him and possibly passing along disease. You will need tweezers, disinfectant, and isopropyl alcohol. Use the tweezers to grasp the tick firmly as close to Kiba's skin as possible and pull straight up. Do not twist, pull upwards in a steady and straight motion. Twisting it could leave parts behind, and it's very important to remove all of the tick. If the head remains embedded, then Kiba has to see a vet as soon as possible to get it removed. Should you get all of the tick out, drop the tick into a container of isopropyl alcohol to kill it, and clean the area with antiseptic soap. Keep an eye on the area where the tick was, and if it becomes infected or irritated, Kiba will need to see a vet.

If you can't get him to a vet clinic to have the tick removed, you can try doing so at home by following the information at the link below: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-remove-tick-from-dog/ I recommend you wear gloves while removing the tick and wash your hands after removing it, as ticks can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans. Put the tick in an airtight container to take to your vet so they can identify it and see if it is one of the kinds that can carry Lyme disease or other diseases.

I agree that it looks as though Lucas has a tick attached to his eyelid. Ticks tend to like to bite areas with a greater blood supply, particularly the face and ears. If he's cooperative, you can try to use a pair of tweezers to carefully grab the base of the tick and pull straight out in a firm, smooth motion. Be sure that all of the tick's mouth parts are out, as they can be a source of infection if they're left behind. Also take care not to squeeze the body of the tick, as this can cause them to regurgitate during removal, potentially injecting diseased organisms through the bite. However, if he is resistant to your tick removal attempts or if you're still unable to remove it with a pair of tweezers, Lucas should be seen by his vet. Good luck! I hope that everything goes well!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Ticks can be very painful as their saliva has some substances in it that cause digestion of the tissues, so Leia may not be letting you remove the tick due to the discomfort. I recommend having your vet remove the tick, as they can sedate Leia if necessary. I do not recommend letting the tick come out on it's own as ticks tend to carry dangerous diseases and can cause skin infections.

Hello. I am so sorry for your worries with Ellie. It might be best to let the technician remove the tick, because they will have a special little device that will get underneath the tick & remove it safely. If you try to remove a tick like this on your own, you might accidentally squeeze the contents of the tick into the skin causing a possible infection, or not completely remove all of the mouth parts. If your vet has already mentioned antibiotics, 3 more hours will not make any worse. I hope this helps, all the best to Ellie & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.