What does a tick look like in a dog's ears? - briefly
A tick in a canine’s ear appears as a tiny, oval parasite, usually dark brown or gray, often swollen after feeding and partially embedded in the ear canal with its legs visible. It clings to the warm, moist skin near the base of the ear flap, forming a small, raised bump that can be mistaken for a scab.
What does a tick look like in a dog's ears? - in detail
Ticks that infest a dog’s ear canal appear as small, oval parasites ranging from 2 mm when unfed to 10 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are divided into two sections: a dorsal shield (scutum) and a ventral region that expands as they engorge. Unfed specimens are brown to reddish‑brown, with a hard, smooth exoskeleton; after feeding they become gray‑white, soft, and markedly swollen, often resembling a tiny, translucent balloon.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Rounded, flattened shape when unfed, becoming more spherical after engorgement.
- Visible legs: eight short legs clustered near the front, sometimes obscured by the engorged body.
- Mouthparts: a protruding, barbed hypostome used to anchor into tissue; may be seen as a tiny point at the anterior edge.
- Color shift: lightening from dark brown to pale gray as blood accumulates.
- Surface texture: smooth and glossy when dry, becoming glossy and slightly sticky when moist.
Within the ear, ticks typically attach to the inner pinna, the vertical ear canal, or the concha. They favor warm, moist environments and may be hidden under earwax or debris. Engorged ticks can cause the ear flap to appear swollen, and the surrounding skin may show redness or irritation.
Detection tips:
- Gently part the ear flap and inspect the canal with a flashlight.
- Look for a small, raised bump that moves slightly when the ear is manipulated.
- Note any dark spots resembling a tiny, flat disc (the scutum) on the surface of the ear canal wall.
Removal considerations:
- Use fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Apply steady, upward traction without twisting to avoid leaving mouthparts embedded.
- After extraction, clean the area with antiseptic solution and monitor for signs of infection or inflammation.
Understanding these morphological details enables accurate identification and prompt treatment, reducing the risk of disease transmission and ear discomfort for the animal.