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My dog got a tick bite while on First Shield. What should I do next?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 26 lbs

Our dog use first shield prevention for flea and tick. This morning she had a tick on her stomach that appears to have bit her and broke the skin. We removed tick and washed the area with cold water. What should we do next? Does first shield only prevent bites and not protect dogs from whatever might come if they have been bit?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 2nd, 2017

Flea and tick products like First Shield are supposed to repel fleas and ticks and kill them after attachment, but ticks can still bite. There also seems to be resistance to some products with these ingredients in certain areas. I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about what product they recommend in your area. You should monitor the tick bite and if it is becoming very red, swollen or if you notice discharge you should have a veterinarian take a look, but it is very rare for tick bites to become infected. If you saved the tick your veterinarian may be able to submit it to a reference laboratory to see if it was carrying any tick borne diseases. Otherwise you should watch for signs of tick borne disease like lethargy, decreased appetite, fever and joint pain.

3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Ticks are hard to kill with any tick product. Ticks are pretty tough creatures. Most topical flea and tick products will prevent roughly 98% of ticks from biting but some will still latch on like Lady has experienced. Tick borne diseases are the most concerning complication from a tick bite. Depending on where you live, the risk varies. I would recommend to wash the area in an antibacterial soap and call you veterinarian. They may recommend to put Lady on a course of an antibiotic called Doxycycline to prevent anything from being spread.
If you have frequent issues with ticks, you may try switching Lady to an oral flea and tick product like Simparica.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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