Is It Safer to Let a Vet Remove a Tick from a Pet?

 

Letting a veterinarian remove a tick from your pet is generally safer, especially if you're unsure how to do it properly or if your pet has health concerns. Veterinarians are trained professionals who know the best way to remove ticks without causing harm to your pet or increasing the risk of disease. Incorrectly removing a tick can leave parts of the tick behind in your pet’s skin, hurt your pet, or increase the chances of spreading infections.

 

The Risks of Improper Tick Removal

 

When ticks are not removed the right way, several problems can happen:

• Parts of the tick can break off and stay inside your pet's skin. This can cause irritation, swelling, infection, or even an abscess (a painful buildup of pus under the skin).
• Squeezing or crushing the tick, or using things like matches, oil, or alcohol to get a tick out, can actually make the tick release harmful germs into your pet’s bloodstream. This increases the risk of diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or anaplasmosis.
• Improper removal can be painful and stressful for your pet, especially if they’re squirmy, scared, or already feeling unwell.
• If you're not used to handling ticks, it's easy to mistake non-tick lumps (like warts, scabs, or skin tags), potentially causing unnecessary injury.

 

Why a Vet’s Help Is Safer and Sometimes Necessary

 

Veterinarians have special training and sterile tools designed for safe tick removal. Here’s why a vet might be the best choice:

• Vets can safely remove the entire tick, including the mouthparts that might otherwise be left behind if you try at home.
• If your pet is anxious, aggressive, or hard to hold, a vet and their staff can safely restrain your pet to avoid injury to both of you.
• If the tick is in a delicate area (such as near the eyes, mouth, ears, or between the toes), a vet’s careful hands are especially needed.
• Vets can examine the bite site afterward for signs of infection or irritation, and they can look for any additional ticks you may have missed.
• If needed, a vet can send the tick for testing to check for dangerous diseases that could affect your pet (and sometimes humans, too).
• They can advise on tick prevention methods and let you know what symptoms to watch for if your pet got a disease from the tick.

 

When It’s Especially Important to See a Vet

 

While sometimes you can safely remove a tick yourself with the right tools and instructions, it’s best to see a vet if:

• The tick looks large, engorged (full of blood), or you believe it has been attached for more than a day or two.
• The tick is in a sensitive place.
• Your pet seems sick (wobbly, feverish, very tired, not eating, or having any unusual symptoms).
• You tried but couldn’t remove the full tick, or part of it remains in the skin.
• Your pet is very young, old, or has an underlying health problem.

 

What Happens During Professional Tick Removal

 

At the vet’s office, here’s what you can typically expect:

• The vet uses tweezers or a special tool to grip the tick close to the skin’s surface and gently pull it straight out without twisting, squeezing, or breaking it.
• The area is cleaned with an antiseptic to prevent infection.
• The vet checks your pet for any other ticks or skin problems.
• If any part of the tick is left behind or if there’s an infection, the vet will take care of it right away.
• You’ll get advice on monitoring your pet and preventing future tick bites.

 

Final Thoughts

 

While it’s often possible and safe to remove a tick yourself if you’re careful, seeing a veterinarian is the safest way, especially if you’re not sure how to do it, if your pet is hard to handle, or if there are complications. Your vet’s experience greatly lowers the risk of pain, infection, or disease for your pet and ensures the tick is removed fully and safely. Always ask your vet for advice if you’re unsure.