My dog's tick bite has pus after removal. Is this normal for dogs?

A tick bite typically leaves a "granuloma." This is a reaction to the tick's saliva. It should resolve on its own in a a few days to a few weeks. Monitor for signs of infection, lameness, lethargy, swollen or painful joints or fever. Use a [tick preventive](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-and-puppy-flea-and-tick) such as FrontLine, K9 Advantix, Bravecto, NexGard or a Seresto collar. Always check for [ticks on your dog](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-places-ticks-hide-on-dogs) upon returning home for outdoors.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Ace. It is common to have a small swollen area where the tick was. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian though to determine if any treatment is needed. Ticks are capable of spreading diseases to dogs. He should also be started on a flea and tick preventive. I hope this information helps!

It’s common for a tick bite to have a raised firm nodule in the skin for several weeks. Be patient I expect this to go away in time. If not I recommend surgical removal and biopsy to get rid of it and check it for abnormal cells. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Amos.

Keep the area clean and dry. You can use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution to clean the area daily. Tick bites frequently result in a red, raised area (tick bite granuloma) after the tick drops off or is removed. The good news is that they resolve on their own within a few weeks. Resume Iggy's tick prevention and perform tick checks after being outdoors. You can have him tested for tick borne diseases in 6-8 weeks. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-check-your-pet-for-fleas-and-ticks/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-do-if-you-spot-a-tick-on-your-pet-or-in-your-home/

Hello, and thanks for your question. It’s common for dogs to get a firm small scab after a tick bite, and sometimes it takes a few weeks for that scab to heal. Keep an eye on it, gently clean/scrub it with mild soap and water (Dawn dish soap can work well), and monitor for swelling or discharge that could signal an infection. Talk to your vet about the tick bite and how Willow is doing; your vet can help you decide if you should test Willow for exposure to tickborne disease. As long as Willow is feeling well, it will probably be fine to vaccinate as planned, and I would definitely recommend keeping Willow protected with Bravecto! Hope this helps!

Hello, thank you for using Pet Coach! I don’t think this is anything to worry about. You can just treat it at home. Keep it clean and apply a topical antibiotic ointment twice a day. If after a week it doesn’t look like it’s healing then you should take her to the vet for an exam.

A small amount of localized swelling and redness is a normal inflammatory reaction after tick removal. However, if the swelling and redness persists then you should have your vet take a look at it. You could clean the area with a wound wash and then apply a topical OTC antibiotic cream to the area. Make sure to use a good flea and tick prevention, NexGard, Bravecto, Credelio. Also, talk to your vet about vaccinating for Lyme disease is she isn't vaccinated. Monitor for any abnormal signs and talk your vet about yearly testing for tick borne diseases and heartworms.