This is a phenomenal post thanks everyone and I had no idea about the canned pumpkin

is the "tick twister" like a special pair of tweezers? i think i could've used them a few years back when i was frantically terrified of alllll insects, only to look down & find the one i couldn't remove from my side!:eek::eek: thank god i didn't call 9-1-1 like i thought i was gonna have to!

You can Google them to see pics of the various types in the images section, some ppl swear by them, i don't see anything special about them just a variation of tweezer I already had the same kind in my beauty bag
I personally use super long tweezers though because I feel more comfortable with those but I don't believe in pulling ticks out...
1. a rubbing alcohol pad whipped over it (or alcohol poured carefully-might ting your dog)
2. and then either Vaseline, soapy water it will pull it self out
3. and I grab tick with tweezers to put it in a jar-Lyme test at vets on the extracted tick

I've heard great reports, but some people don't like them. They are supposed to be better than tweezers because it makes it harder for the tick to release toxins into your pup while removing it. Recommended by a vet.

Pumpkin for constipation. Supposed to regulate either way (so for constipation and diarrhea), but I've never found its anti-diarrheal properties to be effective.

Ellie May (I've always found your post so informative and reliable so I'm directly asking you)

Do you know if the method I've used does allow toxins to be released? I looked online but I'm not getting a clear answer other than the head not coming off the tick under the dog's skin if it pulls itself out.

My first experience with a tick on a dog was Scoobers getting one right on his nose (I was using Frontline plus then but thought it repelled them not dried them up and killed them after) I was freaking out and had a friend come over from next door he pulled out a lighter faster than I could protest burned the tail of the tick it dropped to the floor-luckily Scoobers was not burned, thankfully.

I put it in a jar and took it to my vet for testing...but the vet did tell me about the tick pullers and then told me about the method I use now. I'm not sure if he recommended that because I was so obviously parasite freaked out though, and told him the neighbor guy explained to me after that you don't pull them out because the head can pop off and stay under the dog's skin...I have found a few dehydrated ticks on my floor after a river excursion and hence I started using ACV as a rub also when we go to known tick areas...but that's not 100% either.