What to do if your dog has a tick? A guide for owners

Ticks are not only unpleasant but also potentially dangerous - they can transmit serious diseases to both animals and humans. In Latvia, the tick season is getting longer, and they are found not only in forests or fields but also in urban areas.

In this article, we will explain how to identify a tick, how to remove it correctly, what you should never do, and when to contact a vet.

How to spot a tick on your dog?

A tick most often looks like a small, dark bump on the skin. It can be very small (especially if it has just attached), so it’s not always easy to notice immediately.

📍 Most common locations:

• near and behind the ears
• neck area
• armpits
• groin
• on the belly

Additional signs:

• the dog scratches or licks a specific spot more often
• restlessness or discomfort
• redness around the bite site

👉 Recommendation: Check your pet after every walk, especially during the warm season.

Why is it important to act quickly?

The longer a tick is attached, the greater the risk that disease-causing agents will enter the animal’s body.

Ticks can transmit:

• babesiosis
• anaplasmosis
• Lyme borreliosis
• Ehrlichiosis

Some symptoms may only appear after several days.

How to remove a tick correctly?

If you are confident you can do it safely, follow these steps:

✔️ Use a special tick removal tool (available at veterinary clinics and pet stores)
✔️ Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
✔️ Remove the tick with a slow, rotating motion
✔️ After removal, disinfect the area with a pet-friendly disinfectant

Important:

• try to remove the tick completely
• avoid sudden pulling

What NOT to do?

❌ Do not smear the tick with oil, alcohol, or creams
❌ Do not squeeze the tick’s body
❌ Do not pull it out forcefully
❌ Do not leave a partially removed tick

👉 Incorrect removal can increase the risk of infection.

When to contact a vet?

Definitely contact a vet if:

• you cannot remove the tick completely
• the bite site becomes red, swollen, or pus forms
• the dog becomes lethargic
• fever appears
• the animal refuses to eat
• breathing difficulties are observed

📅 Symptoms may appear within 4-10 days after a tick bite.

How to protect your pet?

Prevention is much simpler than treatment.

🛡️ The most effective protection methods:

• spot-on treatments
• anti-tick collars
• tablets
• anti-tick spray
• anti-tick injection
• tick repellent device

⚠️ Important: Most products are effective for approximately 1 month, so treatment should be repeated regularly.

Ticks are a reality that almost every dog owner faces. Correct and timely action significantly reduces risks to your pet’s health.

If you have doubts or are unsure about the correct course of action - it is always safer to contact a vet.

If you have questions about tick protection or observe suspicious symptoms, the Nartivet team is always ready to help.