10/19/2026
There have been multiple phone calls this week with owners finding ticks on their dogs and cats.
Ticks are out and about as they are in their second feeding cycle this time of year. Please seek veterinary assistance with any concerns.
How to Safely Remove a Tick from Your Pet 🐾
Finding a tick on your dog or cat can be alarming, but removing it quickly and correctly is the best way to prevent the transmission of tick-borne illnesses. Here is a step-by-step guide to doing it safely at home:
1️⃣ Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need a tick removal tool , antiseptic wipes, and gloves if you have them. Avoid using bare hands.
2️⃣ Part the Fur: Gently part your pet’s hair around the attachment site so you have a clear view of the tick’s mouthparts where they enter the skin.
3️⃣ Grip Securely: Using your tick removal tool, grasp the tick as close to your pet's skin surface as possible. Be careful not to squeeze or crush the tick’s body, as this can release fluids into the skin.
4️⃣ Pull Straight Out: Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
5️⃣ Clean the Area: Thoroughly wash the bite site and your hands with chlorhexidine or another antiseptic. Clip hair over affected area if needed to monitor.
6️⃣ Dispose of the Tick: Drop the tick into a sealed container of rubbing alcohol or flush it down the toilet to ensure it's destroyed. Never crush it with your fingers.
💡 What to Watch For: A small, localized bump or redness can occur, but contact us right away if you notice spreading redness, lethargy, fever, or if you weren’t able to remove the entire tick. You can screen for tick borne diseases with your veterinarian in about 4-6 weeks after your pet was bit by a tick. Any sooner may not be enough time for the body to seroconvert to detect on the diagnostic test.
Need help or want to discuss safe, effective year-round parasite prevention for your furry family member? Reach out to MI Mobile Vet! 🩺❤️
Quick Link for tools discussed above:
https://amzn.to/4zB15SZ