How can a tick be detected on a dog? - briefly
Check the coat and skin, focusing on ears, neck, armpits, and toe webs, and feel for small, raised bumps. Use a fine‑toothed comb or a tick‑removal tool to locate and grasp any attached parasites.
How can a tick be detected on a dog? - in detail
Detecting ticks on a dog requires systematic visual inspection, tactile assessment, and, when necessary, diagnostic tools. Begin by examining the entire coat, focusing on typical attachment sites: ears, neck, armpits, groin, tail base, and between toes. Use a fine-toothed comb or a flea brush to separate hair and reveal hidden parasites. Run fingers along the skin; a raised, firm bump often indicates a feeding tick.
If a tick is suspected but not immediately visible, apply a magnifying lens or a flashlight to improve clarity. Look for the characteristic oval shape, dark coloration, and engorged abdomen. Detached ticks may appear as small, dark specks; their presence can be confirmed by gently scraping the area with a cotton swab and examining under magnification.
When manual inspection is insufficient, consider these auxiliary methods:
- Adhesive tape test – press a piece of clear medical tape against the skin; ticks adhere to the sticky surface and can be examined without harming the animal.
- Skin scraping – collect a small sample from the suspected spot and inspect under a microscope for tick mouthparts.
- PCR swab – in regions with high tick-borne disease prevalence, a swab of the skin can be sent to a laboratory for molecular detection of tick DNA.
After detection, remove the tick promptly using fine-tipped tweezers or a specialized tick removal tool. Grasp the parasite as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid crushing the body. Disinfect the bite site with an antiseptic solution and monitor the dog for signs of infection or illness over the following weeks. Regular grooming, grooming tools, and routine checks after outdoor activities reduce the likelihood of missed infestations.