What symptoms does a dog have when bitten by a tick? - briefly
Localized redness, swelling, or a tiny scab appears where the tick attached; the area may also feel warm or itchy. Systemic signs can include fever, lethargy, reduced appetite, joint pain, or anemia.
What symptoms does a dog have when bitten by a tick? - in detail
A tick attachment can produce immediate and delayed clinical signs.
- Redness and swelling around the bite site, sometimes with a small scab or ulcer.
- Local itching or scratching, indicating irritation.
- Fever, often measured above 102 °F (38.9 °C).
- Lethargy, reduced activity, and reluctance to play or exercise.
- Decreased appetite or refusal to eat.
- Joint pain manifested as stiffness, limping, or intermittent lameness, especially in the hind limbs.
- Enlarged lymph nodes near the bite, palpable as firm, tender masses.
- Pale mucous membranes, suggesting anemia from blood loss or hemolysis.
- Vomiting or diarrhea, occasionally accompanied by weight loss.
- Neurological abnormalities such as tremors, facial paralysis, or disorientation.
These manifestations may stem from direct tick trauma or from pathogens transmitted during feeding. Common tick‑borne infections in dogs include:
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease): fever, joint swelling, shifting lameness, kidney involvement.
- Ehrlichia canis (ehrlichiosis): fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, bleeding tendencies.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis): fever, joint pain, neutropenia.
- Babesia spp. (babesiosis): hemolytic anemia, dark urine, rapid heart rate.
Symptoms often appear within days to weeks after attachment. Prompt veterinary examination, removal of the tick, and appropriate diagnostic testing are essential to identify underlying infection and initiate treatment. Early intervention reduces the risk of severe complications.