Where should a tick be sent after a dog has been bitten? - briefly
Send the specimen to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory or an accredited animal‑health agency capable of tick identification and pathogen testing. Prompt submission allows accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Where should a tick be sent after a dog has been bitten? - in detail
When a dog is bitten by a tick, the removed parasite should be forwarded to a qualified laboratory for species identification and pathogen testing. The appropriate recipients are:
- Veterinary diagnostic laboratory – most veterinary clinics have contracts with regional labs that can perform microscopic identification and PCR assays for bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
- State or provincial public‑health department – many jurisdictions require submission of ticks for surveillance of tick‑borne diseases; they provide guidelines on packaging and shipping.
- University or research institution’s vector‑biology department – useful for detailed studies, especially when the tick is from an unusual location or hosts an uncommon pathogen.
- Specialized commercial testing service – companies offering mail‑in kits for tick analysis; they supply preservative vials and prepaid shipping labels.
Submission protocol:
- Place the intact tick in a sealed, labeled container (e.g., a small vials with 70 % ethanol or a dry, sterile tube) to prevent degradation.
- Include the dog’s identification, date of removal, geographic location, and any clinical signs observed.
- Attach the laboratory’s contact information and follow any specific instructions regarding temperature control or courier service.
- Dispatch the package promptly, preferably within 24 hours, to preserve pathogen viability for accurate testing.
Failure to send the specimen to an authorized facility hampers diagnosis, delays treatment, and undermines regional disease monitoring efforts.