Ticks?

[Nudibranch]

I have a 7 month old mini longhaired dachsund. Over the last couple of days I've been finding tiny brown creatures in his coat, about the size of a full stop. They are definitely not fleas, and seem to be around his neck and chest mostly, but not attached to the skin; more they are in the hair. I'm assuming they must be ticks, as it's tick time of year and he's been mooching about in the long grass down the yard. Thing is, I've only ever dealt with big fat ticks which are attached and feeding, not the little teeny ones. So how can I get rid of them? Have been trying to groom them out one by one but there seem to be more each day and they're so small! Also he is so low to the ground, I imagine he will collect every damned one hanging about... Suggestions please?!

 

[CAYLA]

Firstly if they are ticks...u need a tick remover to make sure you get the head out..this is very important as can cause infection if left behind, they are attached to the skin and feed on the animals blood...there are a few home made devices u can use

but you best stick with a proper tool...they are only a few quid from vets or pet shop.....also use a spot on/flea spray on that repelle ticks like front line.
It is best to remove them asap.

 

[brightmount]

Like Cala says, you should use Frontline throughout the summer to kill ticks. Not all the spot-on treatments are effective against ticks, Stronghold for example isn't.

Frontline is what they use if you take your dog abroad when you have to take it to the vet in Europe before coming back to the UK, and that is to prevent tick-borne diseases coming back with the dog, so it is the standard treatment and very effective.

 

[Wishful]

Avantix (not sure re spelling) is another good one. Our dog had a tick day before yesterday - not sure what from. Ugly horrid thing!

 

[Nudibranch]

Wouldn't ticks attach themselves to his skin though? These just crawl about in the mid-lengths of his hair... also I removed 48 last night, surely there wouldn't be this many ticks! Any ideas?

 

[brightmount]

Could be lice then. I would definitely take him along to the vet to get the right treatment. I wouldn't let that kind of infestation go on.

 

[Ravenwood]

Doesn't sound like ticks to me. We have an infestation of ticks here including Deer ticks which are the very small but reddish brown ones - also carry Lymes Disease. Sometimes you do catch ticks crawling around looking for a place to dig in but usually they are already attached.

I also second Advantix - better than Frontline, but don't forget the usual 6-8 weeks is reduced if the dog swims alot.