August 3, 2024, 9:54 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many people are disgusted by ticks and get rid of the annoying parasites as quickly as possible after removing them. But some experts actually recommend freezing the ticks after removing them from a dog. Sounds disgusting? Vet Dr. Vanessa Herder explains why it’s worth it.
Ticks don’t just suck blood; they also transmit dangerous diseases. No wonder that most people want to get rid of the parasites as quickly as possible once they have been removed. Burning, crushing, or flushing down the toilet — everyone has their own method. Experts advise that it is better to freeze ticks after removing them. PETBOOK asked veterinarian Dr. Vanessa Herder whether this is really worthwhile. Because, let’s be honest: who wants to have ticks lying around in the freezer?
Freeze ticks to save your dog from examinations
PETBOOK: Vanessa, you specialize in diseases at the animal-human interface. Ticks are one of your areas of expertise, so to speak. Some vets recommend that dog owners freeze ticks after removing them. This is said to be helpful for a later diagnosis. Is that true?
Dr. Vanessa Herder: “Yes, that’s true! Certain pathogens can be easily detected in the tick, which are not so easy to detect in samples from the dog. Without a tick, it may be necessary to take cerebrospinal fluid from the dog in order to make a diagnosis. This sampling is very invasive, and it makes sense to examine the tick first in order to detect the pathogen.”
So that means I could spare my dog an invasive examination if I freeze the tick?
“Sparing the dog a lumbar puncture is an important point. It is important to note that you should discuss with your vet beforehand how to deal with the results. Here is an example: A dog clearly has symptoms of a tick-borne disease such as TBE and a tick is also proven to be positive. In this case, it must be clarified beforehand whether this is sufficient for the vet or pet owner to make a diagnosis or whether the dog should also be tested. This is because the examination of the tick provides additional, useful information and in no way replaces diagnostics on the dog.”
These pathogens can be detected in ticks
Which pathogens are easier to detect in a tick than in a blood sample from a dog?
“These are pathogens such as Borrelia sp. or the tick-borne encephalitis virus. They can be present in higher concentrations in the tick. This makes it easier to detect the pathogen. Lyme disease is an interesting case. Here, in contrast to TBE, treatment with antibiotics can be useful. Do I really want to do therapy if the dog has symptoms, but the pathogen has only been detected in the tick, but not in the dog? I suggest discussing these examples with your vet to find a solution together.”
Do I really always have to freeze every tick?
“Personally, I think it only makes sense to freeze ticks if you live in an area where there is evidence of TBE, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and so on. This information can be obtained from your local veterinary office. But even if you simply want to be careful as a pet owner — even if these pathogens are not present in your region — the tick can provide additional information.”
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Freezing ticks — what to look out for
What should you look out for when freezing the tick?
“If you decide to store ticks, then please put them in a small bag with the date and the place where the dog most likely got them. You should perhaps place the ticks so that they are not right next to the frozen pizza. I think that’s questionable from a food hygiene point of view. But many dog owners have an extra freezer compartment for their four-legged friend’s food anyway.”
How long should you keep frozen ticks?
“Most diseases transmitted by ticks are clinically visible in dogs after a maximum of six months. It is therefore advisable to store them for around twelve months.”
My tip for freezing ticks
Many people are disgusted by ticks and don’t want to see the fully engorged arachnids every time they get ice cream or defrost their dog’s food. Not to mention other members of the household who may have little understanding of this.
I therefore like to freeze the ticks in small, opaque containers. Film canisters are excellent for this. In the age of digital photography, however, hardly anyone has them at home anymore. Theoretically, however, any other small container, such as that of chewing gum, is also suitable. Just don’t forget to label them! Especially if there are children in the household.