Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

I removed a tick from my dog, but its head is still stuck. Help!

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Australian Cattle Dog | Male | neutered | 1 year and 10 months old | 50 lbs

I found a tick on my dog tonight on his neck. I do not think I got the head. Should I be concerned?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 3rd, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Maddux. It is concerning if you did not get the head of the tick. There is still a risk of infection with the head stuck in. You should have him seen by a vet asap to get the head removed. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had a tick but it fell off before I had a chance to pull it out properly. I think the head may still be attached, but I’m not sure. What should I do to best care for this?
I don't like how it has a dark circle in the photo. I recommend to have this examined by the veterinarian. Depending on disease prevalence in your area, the doctor may recommend prophylactic treatment for tick borne disease or may discuss vaccines for Lyme disease. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
hello my dog had a tick about 2 weeks ago. when i called vet, he told me to insert iodine on it and then remove. we removed it and tick was alive. now bit is swallen like a little ball. can you tell me if its left head on it or there something else?
I am sorry to hear about Neka. Usually even if the head is left behind the body will push it out eventually. I would be concerned about a localized infection. You can clean the area with mild soap and apply a topical antibiotic 3 times a day. If the lesion doesn’t decrease in size in a few days a visit to the vet is recommended.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog ran away for a week and came back with a huge huge tick infestation
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. I’m sorry to hear that Lucky ran off but I’m glad he is back with you. I would recommend bringing Lucky to your veterinarian as soon as possible to have all of his ticks removed properly. Ticks can be challenging to remove and if not done properly, can form abscesses in the skin. Ticks carry a number of diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, that can make dogs very sick and have long last effects on their organs. Some of these diseases, such as Lyme, require the tick to be on a dog for 24 hours before the dog becomes infected, so the sooner the ticks are removed, the better. Your veterinarian will want to remove all of the ticks and likely submit bloodwork to evaluate Lucky’s blood cells and kidney and liver function. Also, if Lucky is not already on a flea and tick monthly preventative medication, I recommend asking your veterinarian about starting him on a topical or chewable
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My chihuahua has a tick that she won't let me remove
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! Ticks can be very painful as their saliva has some substances in it that cause digestion of the tissues, so Leia may not be letting you remove the tick due to the discomfort. I recommend having your vet remove the tick, as they can sedate Leia if necessary. I do not recommend letting the tick come out on it's own as ticks tend to carry dangerous diseases and can cause skin infections.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We just pulled a tick off of our dog, there is nothing coming out of where the tick was but there is a large bump under her skin. What should we do next? We've cleansed it with rubbing alcohol and put Vaseline on it. What more can we do?
The first thing to check would be if the tick's head came out with it when you removed it from Malley Bo Bailey. If it did not, then the body is going to try to push it out and she will get an infection. Depending on where you live, Bailey may need to go on antibiotics. Tick borne disease are common in certain parts of the US and her veterinarian would be the best person to contact so to decide if she needs medication. Sometimes the spot where the tick was attached can become inflamed. You did a good job cleaning it and now watch it for the next 24-48hrs. If the swelling goes down then thats good. If not, then take her in to see her doctor. The bite can still get infected so monitor it closely. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Friends kitten broke a tick off in the cat. Pulled with tweezers and broke part of the tick off but the head is still attached.
If the head of the tick is still embedded in the cat, then I would take the cat into the vet now to have it removed. It has be removed as soon as possible, and if it's really stuck in the cat, the cat may need to be sedated to have it removed. Please take the cat into the vet now.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
On Wednesday we purchased a puppy. The owners had kept him outside and last night I noticed he had 3 ticks between his back legs under belly area. We gave him a flea and tick bath, but need to know if I should take him yo be checked out. I believe we
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! There is no need to take him to the vet due to the ticks. Be sure to get him in to the vet soon though for vaccines, start heart worm and flea/tick medications and to have him dewormed. Bring a stool sample. If he hasn’t had any vaccines yet he should be seen next week. If he has received his first vaccines (DHPP) the he needs it boosted 3-4weeks later. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
i gave my dog Nexguard today for the first time this season. Tonight I found a tick ( it was a gray bubble) on his fur. Do I need to take him to the vet to have it removed or will it just fall off ?
It will likely drop off after about 72 hours, but it is best to remove it as soon as possible to decrease the risk of tickborne disease transmission. Be sure to perform tick checks each time your dog returns from outdoors. https://www.petcoach.co/article/tick-removal/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Pulled a very fat looking tick from my dogs back fur after several days, thinking it was a scab. What should I do now?
It's very important to make sure you removed the head of the tick, and if you think you didn't, I would take Lady into the vet to get it removed. Clean the area with an antiseptic wash, and keep an eye on the area for signs of infection. If the area becomes red or inflamed, take her into the vet. Also monitor her for signs of fever, anorexia, reluctance to move, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, I would take her into the vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I pulled off a tick and it was huge but i dont know what kind it is. I just want to know if my dog is ok.
I wish I could say KD is ok, but I can't say for certain without seeing him in person. Check out this Boop by Petco article on things to watch for: https://www.petcoach.co/article/8-common-signs-of-lyme-disease-in-dogs/
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Dog Flea & Tick Combs Dog Health & Wellness Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for Dogs Dog Flea & Tick Carpet Powders Flea & Tick Shampoos for Dogs VetIQ Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews VetIQ Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Vetality Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Vetality Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Vetality Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Vet's Best Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs XFT Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs MilbeGuard Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Vet's Best Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Nextstar Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored