What injection should be given to a dog after tick bites? - briefly
Administer a single prophylactic dose of injectable doxycycline to protect against Lyme disease following a tick attachment. If the dog is not current on its Lyme vaccine, a tetanus toxoid booster may also be indicated.
What injection should be given to a dog after tick bites? - in detail
After a tick is removed from a canine patient, the veterinarian should consider three categories of injectable therapy: antimicrobial prophylaxis, disease‑specific vaccination, and supportive antitoxin if indicated.
The first priority is to prevent bacterial infections transmitted by ticks. The drug of choice is an injectable formulation of doxycycline, administered at 5 mg per kilogram of body weight either intramuscularly or intravenously. A single dose is given as soon as possible, followed by a 10‑ to 14‑day oral course to eradicate organisms such as Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. In regions where Borrelia burgdorferi is endemic, a single dose of injectable amoxicillin‑clavulanate (20 mg/kg) may be used as an alternative, though doxycycline remains the most effective broad‑spectrum agent.
If the dog resides in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, an injectable Lyme vaccine should be administered. The initial series consists of two 0.5 ml doses given subcutaneously, spaced 2–4 weeks apart, with an annual booster thereafter. The vaccine stimulates immunity against the spirochete transmitted by Ixodes ticks and reduces the risk of clinical disease.
A tetanus toxoid injection (0.5 ml IM) is advisable when the animal has an open wound or a history of tetanus exposure, especially if its vaccination status is uncertain. The toxoid provides passive immunity for up to one month, after which a standard booster schedule resumes.
In cases of tick‑induced paralysis, an intramuscular dose of a short‑acting corticosteroid (e.g., dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg) may be given to reduce inflammatory edema around the neuromuscular junction. This intervention is adjunctive and should be combined with supportive care and close monitoring.
Summary of recommended injections:
- Injectable doxycycline 5 mg/kg IM/IV, single dose, followed by oral therapy 10–14 days.
- Lyme disease vaccine 0.5 ml SC, two‑dose priming series, annual booster.
- Tetanus toxoid 0.5 ml IM if wound or vaccination status unknown.
- Dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg IM for tick paralysis, as needed.
Selection of the appropriate injection depends on geographic disease prevalence, the dog’s vaccination history, and the presence of clinical signs. Prompt administration maximizes the chance of preventing tick‑borne illness.