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Tick bite

18 15:10:56

Question
We found a large tick on the tip of our dog's ear and removed it and ensured the head came out as well.  Her ear is slightly swollen and hot.  It is quite sore.  She also seemed to be upset and has the shivers.  We cleaned the area with peroxide and put a veterinarian antibiotic/antifungial cream on the area.  What are signs of infection or should she see a vet?

Answer
Well tick bites are really painful once you pull the tick out. They have a numbing agent in their saliva to keep the dog from feeling them while they are feeding but once you pull it out it hurts like crazy. I know, I have had them myself!

She will be ok in a few days. You can give her an aspirin if she is really miserable as long as she isn't on other medications for her heart, etc.
Even if you don't pull out the head it just shrivels up and falls off. That is an old myth about the head causing problems.

I wouldn't use an anti fungal cream on it or any cream at all. Just let it be and it will go down and should be fine.

The only infection she might get would be if she scratches it but if you have Lyme's disease in your geographical area you might want to get her tested for it next week.

That would be the main concern.