The most common tick in the UK is the sheep tick, or castor bean tick, and it does look like a bean when fed. Initially ticks are small, but they can become over a centimetre long if they take a full meal!

We’re seeing many more ticks than before, possibly due to the warm, wet winters now common in the UK. In Great Britain, the distribution of ticks is estimated to have expanded by 17% in the last decade alone, and the number of ticks has increased in some studied locations by as much as 73%.

Although tick bites can be uncomfortable, especially if ticks are not removed properly and infections develop, it is the diseases carried and transmitted by ticks that pose the largest threat to our pets – which can be life threatening in some cases.

How to spot a tick on a dog

The best way to check if your dog has ticks is to give them a close examination, looking and feeling for any unusual lumps and bumps. Around the head, neck and ears are common ‘hot spots’ for ticks, so here is a good place to start, but as ticks can attach anywhere on the body a full search is important.

Any lumps should be thoroughly inspected – ticks can be identified by the small legs at the level of the skin. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you – any new lumps should always be checked by a vet anyway, so don’t be shy asking for advice if you need it.

You may see swelling around the tick, but often the skin around looks normal. If you do find a tick, don’t be tempted to just pull it off. Tick mouthpieces are buried in the skin, and pulling off a tick can leave these parts within the skin surface, leading to infections.

How to remove a tick?

If you do find a tick, don’t be tempted to just pull it off, burn it or cut it. Tick mouthpieces are buried in the skin, and incorrectly removing a tick can leave these parts within the skin surface, leading to infections.  It is also important not to squash the body of the tick while it is still attached.

The best way to remove a tick is with a special tool called a tick hook – these are very inexpensive and can be an invaluable piece of kit. These have a hook or scoop with a narrow slot in which traps the tick’s mouthpiece.

Slide the tool between the body of the tick and your dog’s skin, making sure all fur is out of the way. This will trap the tick.

Gently rotate the tool, until the tick comes loose.

Removed ticks should be disposed of safely and it is advised to handle them with gloves.

How to protect from a tick?

As usual prevention is better than cure and your vet can help you plan the best tick protection – this might be in the form of a collar, spot-ons or tablets. Depending on where you live, tick protection might be recommended to be seasonal (tick season runs from spring to autumn) or all year round. Your local vet can help you with advice.

Always consider the risk of ticks when travelling, and if you do not have up-to-date tick protection for your dog, speak to your vet about getting some before travelling to high-risk areas.

After walks, always check your dog thoroughly for ticks and make sure to remove them safely.

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