Finding a tick on your dog can be upsetting. Using a monthly prevention medication is the best way to avoid ticks in the first place. However, if you find a tick on your dog, act quickly. Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly and pull upward with steady pressure. Do not use your bare hands to grab the tick since you can be exposed to disease or bacterial infections. Do not pull the tick from side to side as you try to remove it since parts can break off and remain in your dog. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse it with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and apply a dog-safe antibiotic cream. Unless your dog has been immunized against diseases such as Lyme disease, he may be exposed. Your dog can be tested for Lyme about six weeks after exposure. Watch your dog for symptoms of tick-borne diseases. Learn more from your Livonia, MI veterinarian.