What does a tick look like in a dog? - briefly
A tick on a dog looks like a tiny, rounded or oval bump, typically brown or dark‑red, that can swell to pea size when engorged with blood. It is commonly located in thin‑skinned regions such as the ears, neck, belly, or between the toes.
What does a tick look like in a dog? - in detail
Ticks attached to a dog present a distinct visual profile that varies with their developmental stage and feeding status.
An unfed larva measures about 0.5 mm, appears as a tiny, translucent speck, and lacks noticeable legs. A nymph is slightly larger, 1–2 mm, and shows a reddish‑brown hue with a more defined body outline; legs become visible but remain short. An adult female, prior to feeding, is 3–5 mm long, dark brown to black, and has a rounded, shield‑shaped body (scutum) covering the dorsal surface. Adult males are similar in size but have a smaller scutum, exposing more of the abdomen.
During engorgement, the female expands dramatically, reaching 10–12 mm in length and becoming markedly swollen, pinkish‑white, and soft. The abdomen stretches outward, creating a balloon‑like appearance. The mouthparts, consisting of a rasping hypostome and barbed chelicerae, remain visible as a small, dark protrusion at the attachment point.
Typical attachment sites on the canine host include:
- ears, especially the inner pinna
- neck and shoulder region
- under the forelimbs
- groin and tail base
Ticks may be partially hidden by fur, making a close visual inspection necessary. The surrounding skin often shows a small, raised, reddish area due to irritation, but the tick itself remains the most reliable identifier.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt removal and reduces the risk of disease transmission.