My dog's eye is red and lumpy after a tick bite. Could it be infected?

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.

The lump is likely a reaction to the bite and the anticoagulant injected by the tick. It can take a few weeks for the lump to go away. Just monitor it for infection/pus/pain. If those signs appear, have your veterinarian examine the lump.

It may be a cyst or local infection/irritation. Monitor for rapid change or growth, discharge or bleeding as well as discomfort. Ideally, he can be examined by your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause and provide the appropriate treatment. If he is pawing or rubbing at it, place an e-collar (cone) on him until he sees the vet.

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.

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!

Sometimes thed skin reacts to the tick bite with an overproduction of connective tissue fibers. This usually feels like a hard little knot. It is more a beauty issue than a medical issue. This is not something you have to worry about as long as it does not grow in size or changes color or shape. It will likely get smaller over the years or maybe stay the same.

I am afraid that this red mass looks like a tumor or multicystic mass. This is definitely something that needs to be seen by a vet as it a) keeps your dog from closing his eye lid which can damage the eye to the point of losing vision (will dry out the cornea), and b), tumors can grow invasively, ie destroy the eye. Your vet will examine the mass, possibly take a little bit of tissue to examine under the microscope or send in to a pathology lab and then, depending on the findings, discuss treatment options, which could include removal of the mass alone (if possible), medication to remove it or make it shrink, or even removal of the eye. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian soon.