What happens if the tick’s head is not removed from a dog? - briefly
If the tick’s mouthparts stay embedded, the site may become inflamed, become infected, and increase the risk of disease transmission such as Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis. Prompt removal of the entire tick, including its head, prevents these complications.
What happens if the tick’s head is not removed from a dog? - in detail
When a tick’s mouthparts remain embedded in a dog’s skin, the retained fragment can cause local irritation and inflammation. The body reacts with a mild to moderate swelling that may become painful if the tissue around the fragment becomes infected. Bacterial colonisation often follows, leading to pus formation, erythema, and, in some cases, a chronic granulomatous nodule that persists for weeks or months.
The retained portion also serves as a conduit for pathogen transmission. Several tick‑borne agents—such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), and Ehrlichia canis (ehrlichiosis)—can be introduced directly into the bloodstream through the mouthparts. If the fragment is not removed promptly, the risk of systemic infection rises, and clinical signs may include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and joint pain.
Additional complications include:
- Secondary bacterial infection of the wound site.
- Development of a sterile abscess that may require surgical drainage.
- Persistent local inflammation that can impair skin integrity and predispose the area to further parasitic infestations.
Veterinary assessment is recommended when any part of a tick is left behind. Treatment typically involves:
- Careful extraction of the remaining mouthparts with fine forceps, ensuring the entire fragment is removed.
- Cleaning the area with antiseptic solution.
- Administration of a short course of antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected.
- Monitoring for signs of tick‑borne disease, with diagnostic testing performed if systemic symptoms appear.
Prompt removal of the entire tick eliminates the immediate mechanical damage and reduces the probability of disease transmission and secondary infection.