What does a tick look like on a dog's paw? - briefly
A tick on a dog’s paw looks like a tiny, round, flattened or slightly swollen body, typically brown or black, attached to the skin with its eight legs visible around the edge. When fully fed, it expands into a larger, translucent, balloon‑shaped form.
What does a tick look like on a dog's paw? - in detail
Ticks attached to a dog’s foot present a distinctive set of visual features that vary with life stage and feeding status. An unfed adult female typically measures 3–5 mm in length, has a round, oval body, and displays a reddish‑brown to dark brown coloration. The dorsal surface is smooth, while the ventral side shows the characteristic “mouthparts” – a pair of forward‑pointing chelicerae that appear as a small, dark protrusion near the center of the body. When the parasite begins to feed, the abdomen expands dramatically, often reaching 8–10 mm or more. The engorged form becomes noticeably swollen, takes on a pale gray or bluish hue, and may appear translucent, allowing the underlying blood to be seen through the cuticle.
Key visual indicators of a tick on a canine paw include:
- Location: commonly found between the pads, under the fur on the dorsal surface of the paw, or around the toe webs where moisture and warmth are retained.
- Size: unfed stages are small (larvae ~0.5 mm, nymphs ~1–2 mm); adults are larger, with engorged females exceeding 10 mm.
- Shape: a compact, rounded body that becomes elongated and balloon‑like after feeding.
- Color: unfed adults are brown to dark brown; engorged females turn pale gray, blue, or nearly white.
- Mouthparts: a distinct, darker protrusion at the front of the body, often visible as a tiny “head” or “cap” when the tick is not fully embedded.
- Attachment: the tick’s legs may be visible around the perimeter, but the body is typically firmly anchored to the skin, sometimes causing a small, raised bump or localized swelling.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt removal and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Regular inspection of the paw pads, toe webs, and surrounding fur after outdoor activity is essential for early detection.