Hard bump on dog's neck after tick removal. What should I do?

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.

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!

This likley is some scar tissue left behind that was initially caused by a localized inflammatory response from the tick. However, to ensure it isn't something to be concerned about, you can opt to have this area tested through your vet with a skin cytology or biopsy. I hope that your fur baby Teddy does well moving forward. Best wishes and take care! : )

Hi ! Yes it is normal for a lump to be still there as the tick causes quite a bit of local inflammation. It is normal for a lump also to remain from now onwards, it is a normal reaction of the body. It would be important to know if the head of the tick has been removed or if it has been left under the skin. If left, it will contribute to inflammation and further treatment might be required. As this is the second time Joshie gets a tick this year I would recommend to use a product that prevents Joshie from getting ticks, I have used Seresto collars quite successfully for example. Hope this helps !

Hello! It's difficult to tell for sure, but what I think I'm seeing in the photo is a nipple towards the upper left aspect of the photo, and an oval yellowish area below - I'm guessing that's where you believe the tick was removed? It is very common for dogs to get a small hard scab where a tick was removed, and as long as that scab is not red, inflamed, and has no discharge, it typically resolves on its own. Dogs do not get the stereotypical "bulls-eye" lesion that we watch for in humans to indicate Lyme disease exposure. However, if the lesion in question is that yellowish oval area, that would not be a normal response to a tick bite, and I would have that checked out by a vet. Your vet will be able to look at the lump and determine how concerned they are, and they will likely want to take a small sample with a needle to look at the cells in the microscope (cytology) to determine what is causing the lump. Additionally, if there is concerned about tick exposure, they can test for exposure to the tickborne diseases such as Lyme disease. I hope this helps!

I'd keep an eye on the bump for now. If it doesn't go away, gets bigger, or Lily starts showings signs of tick borne disease like lethargy and limping, have her seen by a vet immediately. I hope this helps!