What should be done if a tick gets under a dog’s skin? - briefly
When a tick has penetrated beneath the skin, seek veterinary removal without delay. If removal is attempted, grasp the mouthparts with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, pull straight out, disinfect the wound, and monitor for infection.
What should be done if a tick gets under a dog’s skin? - in detail
If a tick has penetrated the dermis of a dog, immediate action is required to reduce the risk of disease transmission and tissue damage.
First, locate the tick. Part of the body may appear swollen, reddened, or form a small crater. Use a bright light and a magnifying lens if needed.
Next, prepare sterile instruments. Fine‑point tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal hook should be disinfected with alcohol. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, avoiding squeezing the abdomen. Pull upward with steady, even pressure; do not twist or jerk, which can leave mouthparts embedded.
If the mouthparts remain, do not dig them out with a needle or scalpel. Instead, apply a small amount of antiseptic to the area and monitor for signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, discharge, or foul odor.
When removal is incomplete, or if the dog shows fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, or a rash within days, seek veterinary assistance promptly. A veterinarian can safely excise residual parts, prescribe antibiotics if secondary infection is suspected, and administer appropriate prophylactic treatments for tick‑borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, or Anaplasmosis.
After the procedure, keep the site clean. Apply a mild antiseptic solution twice daily for three days, then observe for any delayed reactions. Record the date of removal, the tick’s appearance, and any symptoms; this information assists the veterinarian in diagnosing potential infections.
Prevent future incidents by maintaining regular tick control: use veterinarian‑approved topical or oral preventatives, inspect the dog after walks in wooded or grassy areas, and keep the environment free of tall vegetation where ticks thrive.
In summary: locate the embedded parasite, use sterilized tweezers to extract it with firm upward traction, avoid crushing the body, monitor the wound, and obtain professional care if any complications arise.