Tick Remover

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Just wanted to share a new tool I've used to detach ticks from Riley and Molly. They each have had one tick this spring. Earlier in the spring, I ran across this little tool in a web search and since it was so cheap, I ordered it. It's called O'Tom Tick Twister and made in France of all places. It seems these days as though everything is made in China, so it was nice to find something that wasn't.

It's a small plastic tool with a claw at the head much like the thingy at the back end of a hammer head to take out nails. You slip the claw part under the tick head and twist the tool around until the tick is removed. Worked like a charm and with a hand held magnifier, I could tell that the mouth parts had come out. Anyway, might be quite a chore to use on a doodle with lots of ticks but for the occasional one, I will keep using this tool. I hate to put any chemicals either on the doods or in them to control the ticks so this works out great. Here's the website: http://www.otom.com/how-to-remove-a-tick.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I use a tweezer and it works fine for me. I think pulling the tick straight out, without twisting, is recommended to get the mouth parts out.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

EWWWWWW is all I can come up with.

So far no ticks on Daisy I think I might just faint.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It looks like it works well.  It's nice to have something fast and easy.  I have a little device called Ticked Off that looks like a little spoon with a slot in it. It works well to and thankfully Tara doesn't get many ticks. I have to admit though that the video was pegging my grossometer!! LOL

http://www.tickedoff.com/

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I love this video, so satisfying watching them being lifted out!  I think though If I find any I will use the tweezers and lift them straight out.  It may be time to invest in a magnifying glass!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I agree, the best way to remove a tick is to pull it out (by the body) at the same degree angle that is in...not to twist it..ticks have little "barbs" on their head, so twisting will do no good...

[Don Whateley]

The O'Tom (mentioned above) and the Tick Twister Pro do NOT twist the tick.

They spin the entire tick, from rostrum to abdomen, all at the same time.

Just FYOI the "barbs" are on the rostrum (the part that goes into the skin or hide) NOT the head. The barbs act as an anchor to keep the tick from being dislodged from a host before it has had its fill.

The spinning action renders the barbs useless as an anchor and the tick is NOT able to maintain its hold on the host below the surface of the skin or hide.

Don

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Thanks for sharing the video-gross! I hope I never have to deal with them.

[Moe]

My poor dog gets at least 1-2 ticks every week even with Advantix. I use a tick key it is so easy to use and works every time. I have tried using a tweezers but on occasion the head remained in the skin. Especially if the tick is engorged it is very hard to get it out with tweezers because they pop when you use the tweezers. (Gross, I know) This gets the entire tick every time. Best 69¢ I've ever spent.

[Moe]

The is probably the only situation where you get what you pay for didn't apply! I think they should charge at least a couple of bucks for it.

[Don Whateley]

The Tick Twister Pro is currenty the most readily available model of the O'Tom tick twister in the U.S. since the sole importer ceased receiving the O'Tom due to price increases.

Yes, they can still be found occasionally at veterinary clinics and hospitals with a bit of luck if their veterinary supply company has them.

Twist It Out offers the "Tick Twister Pro" and ships anywhere except Europe.

Don