Especially in spring they attack again: ticks. The pests should be removed from the dog as soon as possible. But sometimes a tick's head gets stuck – what now?
How to properly remove ticks heats up the minds of pet owners every year. Should you turn left or right when removing? Use tick tweezers, tweezers, tick card or even your fingers? Treat the pests with alcohol, oil or other liquids beforehand? And what happens if the head accidentally gets stuck when pulling it out?
First of all, it is important to remove the bloodsuckers at all, since the parasites can transmit serious diseases. Even though it usually takes several hours or days for a tick to transmit pathogens, it should get out immediately if it detects them. Which is not always easy, with dense or black fur. Which tool you choose depends entirely on you. Some pet owners get along very well with tick tweezers, while others prefer to use a tick hook.
Tick head stuck in the dog - can it stay or does it have to get out?
Check your dog for ticks after every walk. (Symbolic image) © agefotostock/Imago
It is best to search your dog thoroughly after each walk. Particularly popular: thinly hairy parts of the body such as head and ears, armpits and inner thighs. Then simply stroke the entire body with the flat of your hand. Do not forget about the tail. Even if this is densely insisted, the pests can hide there.
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Tick head stuck in the dog - do not remove it with oil or alcohol
Often, the dog also scratches more in a certain place, as the bite of a tick can also cause itching. If you have discovered one, try to remove the tick as calmly as possible without "squeezing" it. Removal with your fingers should therefore be avoided. Also, if possible, do not use oil, glue or alcohol. Even if the tick then lets go, it secretes possible dangerous pathogens.
Instead, use tick tweezers to grip the skin as close as possible and turn very lightly and carefully counterclockwise. Most of the time, it can be removed so easily. With a tick hook, it may take a few seconds for it to come off. However, you should not turn, but only pull slightly. In no case should this be hectic or jerky.
Normally, tick bites heal on their own. However, it does not hurt to disinfect the area afterwards. If, with all due caution, a tick's head gets stuck, this is no reason to panic. For example, try using a narrow object such as a credit card to remove the head from the skin. If that doesn't work, just leave it at that. Disinfect the area so that no bacteria can spread and just wait.
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The tick head usually simply grows out again, similar to a splinter of wood. Sometimes the site becomes inflamed. In this case, you should check them daily. However, if the inflammation does not subside and continues to spread, you should go to a veterinarian.