How does a tick on a dog look? - briefly
A tick attached to a dog looks like a tiny, round, darkened bump that may be flat or slightly raised, resembling a small brown or black speck. When it feeds, it expands into a softer, gray‑red, balloon‑like swelling.
How does a tick on a dog look? - in detail
Ticks attached to dogs present a distinct visual profile that varies with species, life stage, and feeding status. An unfed nymph appears as a tiny, almost translucent oval measuring 1–2 mm, with a pale amber hue and visible legs protruding from the body’s edges. An adult female, prior to feeding, is larger—approximately 5–10 mm in length—brown to reddish‑brown, with a smooth, rounded dorsal surface and a flat ventral side that allows close adherence to the skin.
During engorgement, the female’s abdomen expands dramatically, often reaching 10–15 mm in length and a diameter of up to 8 mm. The body becomes balloon‑shaped, color shifts to a deep gray‑blue or dark brown, and the cuticle appears stretched and glossy. The legs remain visible, though they may be partially obscured by the swollen body.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Shape: Oval to spherical when fed; flat and oval when unfed.
- Size: 1–2 mm for nymphs, 5–10 mm for unfed adults, up to 15 mm when engorged.
- Color: Light amber or brown in unfed stages; dark gray‑blue or brown in engorged females.
- Surface texture: Smooth, glossy cuticle; no obvious segmentation.
- Legs: Eight legs visible on the dorsal side; short, sturdy, and angled forward.
- Mouthparts: Visible as a small, pointed projection near the body’s posterior, used for piercing skin.
Ticks typically attach in areas with thin hair or skin folds—behind ears, under the neck, between the scapulae, and around the tail base. The attachment site may show a small, pinpoint puncture surrounded by a reddened halo, especially after the tick has begun to feed.
Recognizing these details enables accurate identification and prompt removal, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.