Tips To Give Your Pup A Proper Tick Check

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    As the winter approaches, now is the prime time that ticks are trying to stay warm. Most ticks will be active while the temperature is above freezing. They can be carriers of Lyme disease, which untreated can lead to kidney, nervous system, and heart problems in your dog. To ensure your dog’s health and safety, here are some easy tips to perform a tick check on your furry friend.

    1. Look for lumps, bumps, and any irritated areas of exposed skin. If the tick has already latched on, you will see a black or brown dot, which is the tick itself.

    2. Check the moistest areas of your dog. Ticks are drawn to moist areas, so be sure to check under the collar, between the toes, under the tail, the groin area, and under the front legs, or the armpit area of your dog. 

    3. Make sure you are checking your dog after they come inside from playtime, walks, or anytime spent in a heavily wooded area. 

    4. Use a magnifying glass! Some ticks can be as small as a grain of sand, and deer ticks are the size of a sesame seed. 

    5. Purchase a tick removal tool. These can be found on many pet supply websites.

    Following these tips will help you and your senior dog enjoy the fall weather, while ensuring your best pal stays safe.

    About the Author: Emmie Roberts is Grey Muzzle's intern for fall 2020. She is a native of Upstate New York, where she attends Siena College. There, she is a communications/journalism major with a minor in computer science.