What does a subcutaneous tick look like in dogs, what are the symptoms, and what is the treatment? - briefly
«A subcutaneous tick appears as a firm, skin‑colored nodule or swelling beneath the fur, often without a visible exterior, and may be accompanied by localized pain, redness, fever, lethargy or loss of appetite». Veterinary intervention involves surgical incision and careful extraction, followed by appropriate antibiotics or anti‑inflammatory drugs and ongoing tick‑preventive measures.
What does a subcutaneous tick look like in dogs, what are the symptoms, and what is the treatment? - in detail
A tick lodged in the subcutaneous tissue of a dog presents as a small, firm nodule beneath the hair coat. The organism’s body may be partially visible through the skin as a dark, rounded mass, often surrounded by a thin, raised area of skin. In some cases the tick’s mouthparts remain embedded, creating a localized swelling that feels slightly harder than the surrounding tissue.
Typical clinical signs include:
- Localized swelling or a palpable lump at the attachment site
- Redness or mild inflammation of the overlying skin
- Hair loss around the affected area due to irritation
- Excessive licking or chewing of the region, indicating discomfort
- Subtle fever or lethargy if systemic infection develops
Diagnostic steps involve a thorough physical examination, often aided by gentle palpation to locate the embedded parasite. If the nodule is not easily visible, fine‑needle aspiration or ultrasound imaging can confirm the presence of a tick beneath the skin.
Treatment protocol:
- Restrain the dog safely and clean the area with an antiseptic solution.
- Apply a sterile, blunt‑ended instrument (such as a fine‑pointed forceps or a specialized tick removal tool) to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure to extract the entire organism, avoiding squeezing the body to prevent saliva leakage.
- After removal, irrigate the wound with saline, then apply a topical antiseptic ointment.
- Administer a short course of systemic antibiotics if secondary bacterial infection is suspected.
- Monitor the site for several days; if swelling persists or the dog shows signs of fever, consult a veterinarian for possible antiparasitic medication or further investigation.
Preventive measures include regular tick checks after outdoor activity, use of veterinarian‑approved acaricides, and maintaining a clean environment to reduce tick exposure.