Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids similar to scorpions, spiders, and mites. All adult ticks have eight legs and have no antennae. Adult insects, by comparison, have six legs and one pair of antennae. Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of their host, which can include pets and people.

Ticks are efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, feed slowly, and may go unnoticed for a considerable time while feeding. Ticks take several days to complete feeding. Ticks wait for host animals on the tips of grasses and shrubs. When a moving animal or person brushes the plant, the tick quickly lets go of the vegetation and climbs onto the host. This process is known as questing. Ticks can only crawl; they cannot jump or fly. Some species of ticks will crawl several feet toward a host. Some tick species can be active on winter days if the ground temperatures are above 32°F (0°C). There are many tick preventatives available commercially. Some products are available over the counter, while others are only available through your veterinarian. There are effective monthly preventatives that are typically applied to the skin at the back of the neck and represent a convenient method of control for these external parasites. This includes Frontline Plus® (only available in the USA) and Advantix®. In recent years, the topical preventive Bravecto® has been developed and lasts for 3 months when applied topically. Additionally, there are chewable products such as Nexgard®, Simparica® and Credelio® that are given monthly, or chewable Bravecto®, which is given every 3 months. Your veterinarian will make specific recommendations to keep your pet parasite free.

If you find a tick on your dog: Use fine-tipped tweezers or disposable gloves to handl the tick. If you must use your fingers, shield them with a tissue or paper towel. Infectious agents may be contracted through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin simply by handling infected ticks. This is especially important for people who de tick pets, because ticks that infest dogs and other domestic animals can carry multiple diseases capable of infecting humans. Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible. This reduces the possibility of the tick’s head detaching from the body upon removal. Pull the tick straight out with a steady, even pressure. Continue applying steady pressure even if the tick does not release immediately. It may take a minute or two of constant, slow pulling to cause the tick to release. There are also tools available called Tick Twisters or Tick Keys which can be useful. However, use them cautiously, as twisting or jerking the tick may cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin, increasing the chances of infection.