When I got home today, my puppy sort of yelped and then a few hours later he did the same thing. I notice that he has been very lethargic all day. Then as I was petting him, I noticed something on his skin. It appears that a tiny insect bit him, it looks more like half of the insects body is submerged in his skin and half (the torso and little hind legs) is out. The insect is mall, like the size of a short grain of rice. Also, this is a small pink/red circle on my dog's skin around the insect. I tried to remove the insect with a pair of tweezers and I can't. What is going on? Could if be a flea or a tick? How do they attack? How would i know?
2006-11-17 14:33:19 · 12 answers · asked by Lexi 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It is not good take him to the vet right now i do not know of a bug in the usa that does that but this is strange unless it is what is knowen as a wolf a worm like bug but i have never seen one with legs i would like to know what it is.
2006-11-17 14:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by bigdogrex 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm with the majority that it sounds indeed like a tick. However, one thing really concerns me out of your question; "lethargic".
Because ticks are notorious for transmitting Lyme Disease, the severity of controlling these pests is very high. One main symptom of Lyme Disease is lethargy. Although, sudden lameness, signs of severe pain and fever are other signals to watch for. Because your puppy is exhibiting lethargy, which is a good sign to tell if any animal is in need of medical care, I would schedule an appointment with your vet ***immediately***.
If you wish to remove the tick, you're going to need to be **very** careful. If you don't have a solid grip of the ENTIRE tick, you risk the strong possibility of only removing the body, leaving their teeth still in your puppy's skin. (If the teeth remain in the skin, it --will-- continue to bleed that area.) Some people use their fingers, some use tweezers, there is even a specific tick removing tool available at pet stores. I would use a tweezer and lift up slowly, starting from the head area to verify the teeth are being removed.
2006-11-17 15:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by Cookie Nookie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems ur puppy has a tick, try again to remove it with tweezers, but make sure the head is also removed along with the body of the tick. Do not break off the body and let the head imbedded in the skin. If u cannot get it out , take ur puppy to a vet. ASAP, like someone said, he could be allergic to the tick.
2006-11-17 15:38:38 · answer #3 · answered by flamingo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a tick, and could infect your dog with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or tick fever. You need to take it to a vet ASAP.
They get bitten when they come into an environment where ticks live; sagebrush being the #1 culprit, but there are other ways to get a tick infestation. Do NOT try to remove it yourself. If you break it off, and the head of the tick is still under the skin, the ticks leave a toxin that can be very harmful to your dog. Leave it the way it is and get to an emergency vet or a regular vet during the day. DO NOT WAIT!!!
Please do not heed the advise of the other postings. You should NOT try to remove it yourself. I do not know how qualified they are to tell you this, but this is my profession. I have been to school and I work in a clinic as well.
2006-11-17 16:02:45 · answer #4 · answered by TotallylovesTodd! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A tick only buries it's mouth/face into the skin and then as it sucks the blood - it's body will get fatter. I can usually pull them out with my fingers or tweezers - I have never used a match. They are brown or red.
They don't look like rice tho
2006-11-17 14:42:49 · answer #5 · answered by dobes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a flea. If it replaced into the length of a mesquito then it has already sucked plenty f blood. Fleas are contained in the athropod kinfolk like flies. If it replaced right into a tick it would want to look like a spider for they're Arachnida. both are very volatile because they convey about ailments. the finest way is to take him to the vet because in case you squish the flea the germs will come out and can provide your canines worms. you may also gve your canines a bah wiTh break of day cleansing soap which will suffocate the fleas abd they'll flow down the drain. break of day is probability-free and is used for the animal victims of the oil spill. Gooodluck. :)
2016-11-29 05:57:33 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try an get your puppy to a vet as soon as you can and have them remove it if it is a tick them you could end up leaving the head in the dogs skin so be very careful if you pull it out hope you get it taken care of good luck
2006-11-17 16:07:52 · answer #7 · answered by velma 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a tick.
Have someone steady the pup.
Light a match away from the pup's fur.
Extinguish the match and quickly touch the tip of the match to the end of the tick. Don't touch the pup's skin with the match.
The tick should back out of the skin.
Your pup will thank you for it!
2006-11-17 14:39:03 · answer #8 · answered by woooh! 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You have to keep on trying because your puppy might be having an alergic reaction and if you can't get it out take your puppy to the vet.
2006-11-17 14:36:12 · answer #9 · answered by emy10120 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a tick. Lymes disease is contracted from being bitten by ticks. Take him to the vet IMMEDIATELY!!!!! This could be very serious if not treated.
2006-11-17 14:43:34 · answer #10 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋