How to treat subcutaneous tick in a dog? - briefly
A veterinarian should surgically excise the buried tick, thoroughly clean the site, and administer antibiotics plus anti‑inflammatory medication to prevent infection. Follow‑up checks confirm healing and detect any systemic complications.
How to treat subcutaneous tick in a dog? - in detail
Subcutaneous ticks embed beneath the skin, making them harder to detect than surface‑attached specimens. Early recognition relies on palpating firm, round swellings, often accompanied by localized erythema or a small puncture wound. Diagnosis can be confirmed by ultrasonography or fine‑needle aspiration, which reveals a tick body or its remnants.
Removal requires sterile technique. Begin by clipping hair around the lesion to expose the area. Apply a local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine 2 %) to minimize discomfort. Using fine forceps, grasp the tick’s mouthparts as close to the skin as possible and apply steady, gentle traction. If the tick is partially degraded, dissect the surrounding tissue with a scalpel to extract residual fragments, taking care to avoid rupture of the tick’s gut, which can release pathogens.
After extraction, irrigate the site with antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine 0.05 %). Administer a broad‑spectrum antibiotic (such as amoxicillin‑clavulanate at 20 mg/kg BID) for 5–7 days to prevent secondary bacterial infection. In regions where tick‑borne diseases are prevalent, consider prophylactic treatment with doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h for 10 days) if the tick species is known to transmit agents like Ehrlichia or Borrelia.
Monitor the wound daily for signs of inflammation, discharge, or systemic illness (fever, lethargy, loss of appetite). If any adverse signs appear, obtain a complete blood count and serologic testing for tick‑borne pathogens, then adjust therapy accordingly.
Preventive measures include year‑round topical acaricides (e.g., fipronil or selamectin), oral isoxazoline products (afoxolaner, fluralaner), and routine inspection of the dog’s skin, especially after outdoor activity. Maintaining a clean, trimmed coat reduces the likelihood of ticks embedding subcutaneously.
Proper handling, prompt removal, and appropriate post‑removal care together minimize complications and promote rapid recovery.