When a tick bites, what symptoms appear in a dog? - briefly
After a tick attaches, dogs commonly show redness, swelling, or a small ulcer at the bite site, accompanied by fever, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Progression may lead to joint pain, anemia, neurological signs, or renal failure.
When a tick bites, what symptoms appear in a dog? - in detail
A tick attachment on a dog can produce a range of clinical signs that develop shortly after the bite and may progress over days or weeks. Early local reactions include redness, swelling, and a small crater‑shaped wound at the feeding site. In some cases, the skin around the attachment becomes warm and may exude a thin discharge.
Systemic manifestations often follow the transmission of pathogens. Commonly observed symptoms are:
« Fever » – body temperature rises above normal limits, sometimes accompanied by shivering.
« Lethargy » – reduced activity, reluctance to walk or play, and a dull coat.
« Loss of appetite » – decreased interest in food, leading to weight loss if prolonged.
« Joint pain » – stiffness, limping, or reluctance to rise, frequently linked to Lyme disease.
« Vomiting and diarrhea » – gastrointestinal upset, which may indicate ehrlichiosis or babesiosis.
« Eye problems » – conjunctivitis, uveitis, or retinal inflammation, especially with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
« Neurological signs » – tremors, seizures, ataxia, or facial paralysis, suggesting tick‑borne encephalitis or other neurotropic infections.
« Bleeding disorders » – bruising, petechiae, or prolonged clotting time, commonly associated with anaplasmosis.
Laboratory testing is advisable when any combination of these signs appears, as early detection of tick‑borne diseases improves treatment outcomes. Removal of the tick should be performed with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping close to the skin to avoid mouthpart rupture, which can exacerbate local inflammation and increase infection risk. Monitoring the dog for the listed symptoms over several weeks after removal supports timely veterinary intervention.