Why ticks are dangerous
UK ticks can transmit:
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi): the most common UK tick-borne disease — joint pain, lameness, kidney issues, sometimes lifelong.
- Babesia canis: detected in Essex since 2016, now spreading. Destroys red blood cells and can be fatal without urgent treatment.
- Anaplasmosis: similar to ehrlichiosis on the continent — fever, low platelets, lameness.
- Ehrlichia canis: rare in UK-born dogs but common in dogs imported from southern Europe.
How to remove a tick — step by step
- Get ready: wear gloves and use a tick hook (O’Tom or Tick Twister) or fine-pointed tweezers.
- Grip close to the skin: never grab the engorged body of the tick.
- Twist gently anticlockwise: the rotational movement releases the mouthparts cleanly.
- Disinfect the area: chlorhexidine or saline on the bite site.
- Keep the tick in alcohol: useful if identification or testing is needed later.
- Wash your hands: ticks bite humans too.
Mistakes that make things worse
| Mistake | Why it is dangerous |
|---|---|
| Smearing vaseline or oil before removing | The tick regurgitates, increasing disease transmission |
| Crushing or squeezing the body | Same effect — injects the tick’s gut contents into your dog |
| Burning it with a lighter or match | Dangerous for your dog and counterproductive |
| Pulling straight up with force | The mouthparts can stay embedded and cause infection |
What to do after removal
- Watch the bite site for 5-7 days for redness, swelling or a target-shaped rash (a possible sign of Lyme).
- Watch your dog for 2-3 weeks: fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness or pale gums are warning signs.
- If the tick was attached for a long time, mention it at the next vet visit. They may suggest a blood test 4-6 weeks later.
Prevention — the year-round basics
- Oral tablets (fluralaner, afoxolaner, sarolaner): kill ticks within hours; 1-3 months of cover. Examples: Bravecto, NexGard, Simparica.
- Long-lasting collars: 4-8 months of repellent and acaricidal protection. Seresto is the best known.
- Spot-on pipettes: monthly. Frontline, Advantix and similar.
UK tick season used to be April-October, but milder winters mean ticks are active almost year-round across much of the south and west. Most vets now recommend continuous cover.
Check your dog after every walk in a tick zone
Always go over your dog after walks in woodland, long grass or moorland (Scottish Highlands, New Forest, South Downs, Lake District). Tick hotspots on the body: between the toes, around the ears, groin, armpits and neck. A two-minute check can prevent a lifelong disease.
How CanAI helps
Log every tick removal and the date in CanAI’s health tracker — handy if symptoms appear weeks later. The AI chat can talk you through removal and red-flag symptoms in real time.