Why does my dog have a hard lump from a tick bite that won't go away?

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.

Hi and thanks for your request. This seems a chronic reaction of the skin (chronic inflammation) but is not concerning as it does not seems an active lesion at all. The lump should resolve with time but may take several weeks. If you notice any redness or if it becomes itchy then a check up will be required.

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 !

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.

While hard to say without seeing her in person, this does not have the appearance of a tick and looks more like a small skin growth. Ticks are usually dark in color, black/brown/maroon and once full of blood can have a pale grey appearance.