What can happen after a tick bite in a dog? - briefly
A tick bite may introduce pathogens like Borrelia, Ehrlichia, or Rickettsia, causing fever, joint inflammation, skin lesions, or anemia from blood loss. Untreated infections can progress to organ damage, severe systemic illness, or fatal outcomes.
What can happen after a tick bite in a dog? - in detail
A tick that attaches to a dog can cause a range of physiological responses. The immediate site often shows redness, swelling, or a small ulcer if the mouthparts remain embedded. Local inflammation may be accompanied by itching or discomfort, prompting the animal to scratch or bite at the area.
Beyond the bite site, several systemic conditions may develop:
- Lyme disease – caused by Borrelia burgdorferi; symptoms include fever, lameness, joint swelling, and occasional kidney involvement.
- Ehrlichiosis – Ehrlichia spp.; presents with fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, pale mucous membranes, and possible bleeding disorders.
- Anaplasmosis – Anaplasma spp.; generates fever, joint pain, and thrombocytopenia.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever – Rickettsia rickettsii; leads to high fever, skin lesions, and vascular damage.
- Babesiosis – Babesia spp.; produces hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and weakness.
- Hepatozoonosis – Hepatozoon canis; results in fever, weight loss, and muscle wasting.
- Tick paralysis – neurotoxic protein secretion; progressive weakness that can culminate in respiratory failure if the tick is not removed promptly.
Secondary bacterial infection may arise when the skin barrier is compromised, leading to pus formation, foul odor, and increased pain. In severe cases, anemia can develop from blood loss or hemolysis caused by certain pathogens.
Clinical signs typically appear days to weeks after attachment, depending on the organism involved. Diagnosis relies on physical examination, blood tests (CBC, serology, PCR), and identification of the tick species. Treatment protocols include antimicrobial agents specific to the identified pathogen, anti-inflammatory medication, and supportive care such as fluid therapy or blood transfusion when indicated. Immediate removal of the tick, using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the mouthparts close to the skin and pulling steadily upward, reduces the risk of pathogen transmission and mitigates the chance of paralysis.