How to determine if a growth on a dog is a tick or a mole? - briefly
An attached, dark, oval parasite with visible mouthparts and the ability to engorge after feeding indicates a tick («tick»). A fixed, pigmented, hair‑bearing skin lesion without movement or engorgement identifies a mole («mole»).
How to determine if a growth on a dog is a tick or a mole? - in detail
A tick and a skin mole present distinct visual and physical characteristics that allow reliable identification.
Ticks are external parasites that attach to the skin for blood feeding. Key features include:
- Oval or round body, often engorged after feeding, causing a noticeable increase in size.
- Dark brown to reddish coloration; some species appear grayish when unfed.
- Presence of a clear seam or scutum on the dorsal surface, especially in adult females.
- Legs visible at the periphery; the body is not smooth, and the abdomen may appear bulging after engorgement.
- Ability to move; a tick may crawl away if the dog shakes or scratches.
Moles are benign pigmented growths of canine skin cells. Typical attributes are:
- Uniform color ranging from light brown to black; may contain hair follicles within the lesion.
- Smooth, flat or slightly raised surface without a distinct seam.
- Absence of legs or segmented body parts.
- Fixed position; the lesion does not shift when the dog moves or is touched.
- Often surrounded by a regular border; irregular edges may warrant veterinary evaluation.
Additional diagnostic steps:
- Gently palpate the lesion. A tick will feel hard and may be anchored by a mouthpart; a mole feels soft and compressible.
- Observe for signs of attachment, such as a small, dark entry point (the tick’s feeding canal) or a surrounding halo of redness.
- Use a magnifying lens to examine the surface texture; the scutum of a tick is distinctive compared to the smooth epidermis of a mole.
- If uncertainty remains, collect a high‑resolution photograph and consult a veterinarian for histopathological analysis.
Prompt removal is essential for ticks to prevent disease transmission. Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin, pull upward with steady pressure, and disinfect the site afterward. Moles that change in size, color, or shape, or that bleed, should be evaluated by a veterinary professional for possible biopsy.
By systematically assessing size, shape, color, surface texture, mobility, and attachment characteristics, accurate differentiation between a parasitic arthropod and a pigmented skin lesion can be achieved.