What does a subcutaneous tick look like on a Yorkie? - briefly
A subcutaneous tick presents as a tiny, raised, flesh‑colored nodule with a central dark spot where the mouthparts are embedded beneath the skin. The surrounding tissue may be mildly swollen, but the tick’s legs are not visible on the surface.
What does a subcutaneous tick look like on a Yorkie? - in detail
A subcutaneous tick in a Yorkshire Terrier is not visible as a typical crawling parasite. The organism resides beneath the skin, creating a small, firm nodule that may be mistaken for a cyst or lipoma. The nodule’s surface usually appears smooth, hair‑covered, and slightly raised. Skin over the area often shows a faint pink or reddish hue, indicating inflammation. Palpation reveals a firm, dough‑like consistency that does not shift under pressure, unlike a superficial tick that can be moved or removed easily.
Typical visual and tactile clues include:
- A solitary, rounded lump, 0.5–1 cm in diameter, positioned on the neck, chest, or between the shoulder blades.
- Slight discoloration of the overlying skin, ranging from pink to light brown.
- Absence of an external attachment point; no legs or mouthparts are visible.
- Minimal hair loss; the surrounding coat remains intact.
- Occasionally, a small central depression where the tick’s mouthparts have penetrated.
Diagnostic confirmation often requires a fine‑needle aspiration or ultrasound examination. Aspiration may yield a clear or slightly hemorrhagic fluid, sometimes containing fragments of the tick’s body. Ultrasound shows a hypoechoic, well‑defined structure with internal echoes corresponding to the tick’s abdomen.
Prompt veterinary intervention is essential. Removal typically involves a small incision under local anesthesia to extract the entire organism, preventing secondary infection and reducing the risk of disease transmission. Post‑procedure care includes wound cleaning, monitoring for swelling, and administering appropriate antibiotics if bacterial contamination is suspected.