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My dog has a tick near his eye. Should I remove it or see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | neutered | 8 lbs

My dog has a lone star tick attached above his eye and I can’t get it off. Should I take him to the vet or is there an easier (and less expensive) way?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on June 10th, 2020

I agree that it looks as though Lucas has a tick attached to his eyelid. Ticks tend to like to bite areas with a greater blood supply, particularly the face and ears. If he's cooperative, you can try to use a pair of tweezers to carefully grab the base of the tick and pull straight out in a firm, smooth motion. Be sure that all of the tick's mouth parts are out, as they can be a source of infection if they're left behind. Also take care not to squeeze the body of the tick, as this can cause them to regurgitate during removal, potentially injecting diseased organisms through the bite. However, if he is resistant to your tick removal attempts or if you're still unable to remove it with a pair of tweezers, Lucas should be seen by his vet. Good luck! I hope that everything goes well!

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Hello. As I previously answered, this looks a small tumor. It does not look like a tick to me, but if you are really not sure, have your veterinarian take a look. It really is difficult to see if this is truly a tick or not. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on May 11th, 2019
Use a pair of fine toothed tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull it out, making sure you get the mouth parts. Place the tick in a small jar of alcohol to kill it. Use an antiseptic/disinfectant to clean the area. Dispose of the tick afterwards and wash your hands. A small, firm lump may develop at the site of the bite. This is normal and should resolve on its own.
be sure to use a flea/tick preventive and perform a "tick check" each time Penny comes in from outdoors.

https://www.petcoach.co/article/tick-removal/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on May 4th, 2019
That looks suspiciously like a tick. You can remove it yourself or get your vet to show you how.

To take care of it yourself, spread your dog’s fur, then grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine-point tweezer (to avoid tearing the tick and spreading possible infections into the bite area). Very gently, pull straight upward, in a slow, steady motion. This will prevent the tick’s mouth from breaking off and remaining embedded in the skin.

After you’ve removed the tick, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly, clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol, and rinse the tweezers or tool with disinfectant. You can dispose of the tick by wrapping it in the alcohol-soaked cotton ball and dropping it in the trash outside.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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