It's tick season! Starting in spring and lasting throughout summer - we need to be extra vigil about checking our furry friends for ticks. Did you know that ticks can actually be found any time of the year as long as the temperature is above freezing? So any time your dog is in long grass or in the woods, be sure to check! The quicker you remove a tick the less chance of contracting Lyme disease.
Step 1: You'll need a tick removal tool, an antiseptic wipe, gloves and a plastic bag. Action First Aid has a handy 'tick first aid kit' that you can purchase online here:
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*if you do not have a removal tool, you can use tweezers, but you have to be very careful not to crush the tick*
*avoid touching the tick with bare skin!*
Step 2: Isolate the tick by clearing the area of all fur - you may need 2 people for this job! Calm and reassure the dog as you do this.
Step 3: Insert the removal tool under the tick. The trick here is that we want to remove the tick fully intact and not leave anything behind. Pull very slowly upwards.
Step 4: Once the tick has been removed, it may still be alive! This is good as it means you have removed the entire tick. Be sure to still check the wound area for anything that might still be embedded in the skin. Depending on the risk of Lyme disease, you may want to save the tick in a plastic bag and label it with the date - consult with your vet for best practice in your area.
Step 5: Use the antiseptic wipe to clean the bite area.
Step 6: Give lots of love to reassure your pet :)
What to do if the tick has not been removed fully:
The best course of action here is to take your pet into the vet - they can remove the full tick safely.
What to do to if the tick is on a human?:
You can follow the same steps as above. If you are unsure how long the tick has been attached, or if it has been attached for over 24 hours, you'll want to check in with your local health centre so that they can determine whether to treat it with antibiotics. Watch over the next few days for any signs of Lyme disease - the most obvious sign is a red, circular rash which looks like a bulls-eye. Other symptoms include fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If you are unsure it's always best to err on the side of caution and visit your doctor for a professional opinion.
