Where should I take a tick for examination? - briefly
Visit a primary‑care physician or a local public‑health laboratory that provides tick testing. If those services are unavailable, a veterinary clinic or a university entomology lab can also examine the specimen.
Where should I take a tick for examination? - in detail
When a tick is found on a person or pet, the specimen should be sent to a facility capable of identifying the species and testing for pathogens. The most reliable options are:
- Medical or dermatology clinics – physicians can submit the tick to a reference laboratory that offers PCR or serologic testing for common tick‑borne agents such as Borrelia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsia.
- Veterinary offices – veterinarians often have direct access to animal health laboratories that perform species identification and pathogen screening for both pets and livestock.
- State or county health department labs – public‑health laboratories accept ticks from the public, provide free or low‑cost testing, and report findings to surveillance programs.
- University or research entomology labs – many academic institutions run diagnostic services for ticks, especially for rare or emerging pathogens; contact the department of entomology or vector biology for submission guidelines.
- Commercial diagnostic companies – several private labs specialize in tick analysis; they usually require a mailed specimen and charge a fee per test.
Submission procedure typically includes:
- Placing the tick in a sealed, breathable container (e.g., a small vial with a cotton plug) to prevent crushing.
- Labeling the container with the date of removal, location of the bite, and host information (human, dog, cat, etc.).
- Including a completed request form that specifies the desired tests (species identification, PCR for specific pathogens, etc.).
- Shipping the specimen according to the laboratory’s instructions, often via overnight courier with a cold pack if required.
If immediate medical evaluation is needed—such as signs of rash, fever, or joint pain—consult a healthcare provider before sending the tick. The provider can prescribe prophylactic treatment while awaiting laboratory results.