How to treat subcutaneous tick in a Spitz? - briefly
Extract the subcutaneous tick by making a small sterile incision and applying gentle traction, then close the wound with sutures if necessary. Administer a short course of broad‑spectrum antibiotics and anti‑inflammatory medication to prevent secondary infection.
How to treat subcutaneous tick in a Spitz? - in detail
A subcutaneous tick embedded beneath the skin of a Spitz requires prompt, careful management to prevent infection and systemic disease.
First, confirm the presence of a tick that cannot be seen on the surface. Palpate the area; a firm, raised nodule often indicates the parasite’s location. If the lesion is painful or inflamed, consider analgesia before manipulation.
Removal procedure
- Prepare a sterile field: use a disposable scalpel, fine forceps, and antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine).
- Apply a local anesthetic (lidocaine 2 %) around the nodule to minimize discomfort.
- Make a small incision directly over the palpable mass, taking care not to cut excess tissue.
- Using forceps, grasp the tick’s mouthparts and extract the organism in one smooth motion.
- Inspect the extracted tick; ensure the hypostome and attached legs are intact. Incomplete removal may leave mouthparts embedded, leading to chronic inflammation.
Post‑extraction care
- Irrigate the wound with sterile saline, then apply a topical antiseptic (e.g., povidone‑iodine).
- Close the incision with a single absorbable suture or a skin adhesive, depending on wound size.
- Administer a short course of broad‑spectrum antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin‑clavulanate) to cover potential bacterial contamination.
- Offer a single dose of a tick‑borne disease prophylactic, such as doxycycline, if regional prevalence of ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis is high.
- Monitor the site for swelling, discharge, or fever for at least seven days; contact a veterinarian if signs progress.
Prevention
- Maintain a regular ectoparasite control program using oral or topical agents approved for small breeds.
- Perform routine tick checks after outdoor activities, focusing on ear margins, between toes, and the ventral abdomen where subcutaneous attachment is more likely.
- Keep the dog’s environment free of tall grass and leaf litter, which harbor questing ticks.
Timely, sterile extraction combined with appropriate antimicrobial therapy reduces complications and supports rapid recovery in affected Spitz dogs.