Where should a tick found on a dog be taken? - briefly
A tick found on a dog should be brought to a veterinary clinic for professional removal and disease testing. If a veterinarian is not immediately accessible, the nearest animal health authority or licensed pet‑care service can handle the specimen.
Where should a tick found on a dog be taken? - in detail
When a tick is discovered on a canine, the appropriate destination depends on the intended purpose: immediate removal, identification, or disease testing.
Immediate removal
- Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure.
- Disinfect the bite site and the removed tick.
Professional evaluation
- Veterinary clinic: Veterinarians can confirm complete extraction, assess the bite for signs of infection, and provide prophylactic treatment if needed.
- Local animal health department or county vector‑borne disease office: These agencies often accept ticks for species identification and pathogen testing.
Laboratory testing
- Submit the specimen to a diagnostic lab (e.g., IDEXX, Antech, or a state public health laboratory).
- Place the tick in a sealed container with a moist cotton ball to prevent desiccation.
- Include a label with the dog’s identification, date of collection, and geographic location.
Record‑keeping
- Document the encounter in the pet’s health record, noting the tick’s life stage, attachment site, and any subsequent symptoms.
By directing the tick to a veterinary practice for removal and assessment, and, if warranted, forwarding it to a certified laboratory, owners ensure accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and contribute to local surveillance of tick‑borne diseases.