I was able to successfully remove an engorged woodtick off my dog, head and all, without having to actually touch the tick. The goal is to get it to come out head and all while it is alive. The reason for this is because the tick is able to separate it's body from it's head. The head will then die while still under the skin, and possibly cause an infection in much the same way a sliver would.
First, you have to squeeze the dog's skin underneath where the tick's mouth has gone into the flesh. Don't worry if you lose your grip on the skin, just continue to squeeze as if you're trying to squeeze out a big pimple. You will want to have another set of hands as I did to help you to be able to add the next step.
For the next step, you have to have rubbing alcohol that's in a spray bottle. Then, where you can see the tick's mouth going into the dog's flesh, spray liberally. It doesn't matter if you get it on the tick's body as well. I just kept spraying some, then I'd wait a few seconds, then spray again. Don't worry about the alcohol killing the tick, as they are hard to kill. After about a minute, or maybe two at the most, the tick backed itself out.
This is when you want to have a jar with rubbing alcohol in it to drown the tick. This will take a few hours, because, as I said before, they are hard to kill.
If I ever have to repeat this experience, (I hope I don't.) I would like to try vinegar to replace the rubbing alcohol, as I think it would work just as well. This tip would probably be helpful to remove ticks on humans also.
I apologize for the itching. You should see me as I submit this tip. My skin is crawling!
By Yvonne from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada
I have an easier way. Take fingernail polish and simply continuously coat the tick until it literally falls off, head and all.
I first used a green, but I recommend a clear coat. Green looks a little funny and I wouldn't use polish remover on my pet. (06/26/2009)
By Rose
Most folks have no idea what kind of tick is on them. Ticks carry horrible diseases and if removed improperly with things like alcohol, soap, or any other liquid, grabbing with finger nails or any other way that can cause the tick to empty its guts into you and you will have whatever disease it carries.
Don't use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick.
Never use any liquids including soap or a hot match (the flame has been extinguished), as these can cause the tick to empty it's gut into the person.
http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/tick.asp
http://www.placervillevet.com/ticktools.htm
Second half of video is Straw and Knot Method
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQcSyVLUhw
One of the safest ways is the straw and knot method:
Use an ordinary drinking straw and place it at a 45 degree angle over the tick (the straw is simply being used as a guide to direct the knot). Next, take a length of thread and tie a loose knot at the top or midsection of the straw. Now, slide your knot down the straw to the site. Position the knot underneath the tick's belly, so that the knot will encircle the embedded part only. Slowly tighten the knot to close snugly around the jaws. Now, remove the straw and pull the thread in a steady upward motion. This will cause the tick to detach, without regurgitation.
This is a commercial version of the Straw and Knot method:
http://www.tickremover.com/
Jim in Jax (06/30/2009)
By Jim
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