How to know if a dog has been bitten by a tick? - briefly
Inspect the coat for attached or recently detached arachnids—especially around the ears, neck, armpits, and between the toes—and note any localized redness, swelling, or a small scab that indicates a bite.
How to know if a dog has been bitten by a tick? - in detail
Detecting a recent tick attachment on a dog requires careful visual inspection and awareness of subtle physiological changes.
First, examine the coat and skin, focusing on common attachment sites: head, ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between the toes. Use a fine-toothed comb or a soft brush to part the hair. Look for a small, rounded, engorged object that may appear brown or gray. Ticks often embed their mouthparts deep in the skin, leaving only the body visible.
Second, assess the surrounding skin. A bite may cause a localized reddened halo, slight swelling, or a tiny puncture wound at the center. In some cases, a clear halo of inflammation expands as the tick feeds.
Third, monitor the animal’s behavior and physical signs:
- Excessive scratching or licking of a specific area.
- Sudden loss of appetite or lethargy, which can indicate systemic reaction.
- Fever, trembling, or joint pain, especially if the bite occurred several days prior.
Fourth, feel for a firm, raised nodule beneath the skin. Even after the tick detaches, the feeding site can remain palpable for several days.
Fifth, consider diagnostic tools:
- Use a handheld magnifier (10×–20×) to confirm the presence of legs, legs’ segmentation, or the characteristic “scutum” on the dorsal surface.
- Perform a gentle skin pinch near the suspected site; a tick will often shift or become more visible under tension.
Finally, after removal, inspect the bite site for residual mouthparts. If any part remains embedded, it can cause prolonged inflammation and should be removed with sterile tweezers, pulling straight out without twisting. Clean the area with an antiseptic solution and observe for signs of infection, such as pus or increasing redness.
Regular grooming sessions, especially after outdoor activity in tick‑infested areas, dramatically reduce the chance of missed attachments. Prompt identification and removal are essential to prevent transmission of tick‑borne diseases.