What will happen if a tick remains inside a dog's body? - briefly
If a tick remains attached, it may transmit pathogens like Borrelia, Ehrlichia, or Babesia, causing fever, lethargy, anemia, and other systemic signs. Extended attachment also provokes local inflammation, skin irritation, and can lead to secondary bacterial infection.
What will happen if a tick remains inside a dog's body? - in detail
A tick that stays attached to a dog continues to feed on blood, enlarging as it ingests host fluids. Prolonged attachment raises the risk of pathogen transmission; bacteria, viruses, and protozoa can be injected into the bloodstream within 24–72 hours, depending on the species. Common agents include Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Rickettsia spp. Infection may manifest as fever, lethargy, joint swelling, or loss of appetite.
Extended feeding can cause significant blood loss. A single adult tick may consume up to 0.5 ml of blood per day; multiple ticks or long‑term infestations can lead to anemia, especially in small or young dogs. Clinical signs include pale mucous membranes, rapid breathing, and weakness.
Some tick species secrete neurotoxins that produce tick paralysis. The toxin interferes with neuromuscular transmission, leading to progressive weakness that can culminate in respiratory failure if untreated. Symptoms appear gradually, often beginning with hind‑limb weakness and advancing to the forelimbs and neck.
Local reactions are frequent. The bite site may become inflamed, swollen, or ulcerated. Secondary bacterial infection can develop if the skin barrier is breached, producing pus, increased pain, and systemic signs such as fever.
If the parasite remains embedded, the host’s immune response can generate a hypersensitivity reaction. This may result in pruritus, dermatitis, or even systemic allergic manifestations like vomiting and diarrhea.
Prompt removal of the tick reduces these risks. The procedure should involve grasping the tick close to the skin with fine‑point tweezers and pulling straight upward without twisting. After extraction, the bite area should be cleaned, and the dog monitored for signs of illness for at least two weeks. Veterinary evaluation is advised if any of the following occur:
- Fever or lethargy
- Joint swelling or lameness
- Rapid breathing or pale gums
- Progressive weakness or difficulty standing
- Redness, discharge, or pus at the bite site
Early diagnosis and treatment of tick‑borne diseases typically involve antimicrobial therapy, supportive care, and, when applicable, antitoxin administration for paralysis. Continuous use of effective tick preventatives—topical, oral, or collar formulations—remains the most reliable strategy to avoid the complications described above.