My dog scratched off a tick. What should I do about the leftover spot?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 8 years and 11 months old | 17 lbs
Hello, my dog had a tick which we treated but he scratched it off before the treatment worked, leaving behind what you can see in the photo. What should I do to clear the residual spot?
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. You should clean it twice daily with boiled, warm water or 4% chlorhexidine (available over the counter at pharmacies). The spot should disappear within 5-7 days. However, if it is not getting better after a week, you should take Shemmy to your local vets to get an ointment with antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory agent.