What should be injected into a dog after a tick bite? - briefly
A single dose of doxycycline is administered to inhibit Lyme‑disease infection after a tick attachment. If the dog’s Lyme vaccination is not up‑to‑date, a booster of the Lyme vaccine should also be given.
What should be injected into a dog after a tick bite? - in detail
A veterinarian should consider an injectable antimicrobial as the primary response to a recent tick attachment on a dog. The drug of choice is doxycycline, administered at 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, subcutaneously or intramuscularly, within 24–48 hours of removal. This regimen provides prophylaxis against Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, which are the most common tick‑borne infections in dogs.
If the animal resides in a region where Lyme disease is endemic and has not been vaccinated, a single dose of the Lyme vaccine may be given concurrently. The vaccine is delivered intramuscularly, with a standard dosage of 1 ml per injection site, followed by a booster after one year.
For suspected or confirmed babesiosis, an injection of imidocarb dipropionate (6 mg/kg) is indicated. The drug is given intramuscularly, divided into two equal doses 24 hours apart to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
When a tick bite occurs in an area with a high prevalence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a single dose of chloramphenicol (30 mg/kg) may be administered intramuscularly as an alternative to doxycycline, especially if the dog cannot tolerate tetracyclines.
Supportive injections may include:
- Anti‑inflammatory: Carprofen 4 mg/kg subcutaneously, once daily for 3–5 days, to reduce local swelling.
- Analgesic: Buprenorphine 0.01 mg/kg intramuscularly, every 8–12 hours as needed for pain control.
- Tetanus prophylaxis: Tetanus toxoid vaccine (0.5 ml intramuscularly) if the dog’s vaccination status is uncertain and the wound is deep.
All injections should be performed under aseptic conditions, and the dog should be monitored for signs of hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal upset, or renal impairment, particularly when using doxycycline or imidocarb. Follow‑up testing (PCR or serology) is recommended 2–4 weeks after treatment to confirm clearance of any tick‑borne pathogens.