My dog is uncomfortable after tick removal. Is it Lyme or just sore?

A tick must be attached and actively feeding for at least 24 hours before the Lyme organism can be transmitted. If the tick was not engorged, it has not yet fed. Monitor for lameness, lethargy, painful joints, fever or loss of appetite. You can present the tick to your vet for identification if you still have it. Consider a topical preventative, collar or oral preventative to prevent fleas and ticks. Discuss options with your veterinarian.

It takes about 2 months for a dog to be positive for Lyme disease. I would wait another 6 weeks and make an appointment with your veterinarian. I would do this earlier if he starts to show signs of Lyme disease. These signs would be limping, not eating, just basically not himself. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It's very common for puppies to be a bit sore and lethargic for 24-48 hours after getting a vaccination, just like human kids. Many times, they may not want to eat much or go outside if they are sore. As long as he is alert and responsive, and not having any other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, etc. it should be okay to give him some time and see how he's feeling tomorrow. If you're concerned, you can call your veterinarian at that point or take him in for a recheck exam to make sure that everything is okay.

Keep the area clean and dry. You can use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution to clean the area daily. Tick bites frequently result in a red, raised area (tick bite granuloma) after the tick drops off or is removed. The good news is that they resolve on their own within a few weeks. Resume Iggy's tick prevention and perform tick checks after being outdoors. You can have him tested for tick borne diseases in 6-8 weeks. https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-check-your-pet-for-fleas-and-ticks/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-do-if-you-spot-a-tick-on-your-pet-or-in-your-home/

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The short answer is most likely no. Most tick-borne diseases need the tick to be attached longer to be able to transmit them. However, these could transmit after a much shorter time attached. In reality, it is unlikely that you need to be worried at all. If you ever notice any signs of sickness such as inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea, pain and/or lameness, have him evaluated by a veterinarian then. Good luck and have a good night!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bree. Good on you for making sure that she is protected from ticks. Given that the tick is not engorged, it did not feed her on, so no disease would have been transmitted. The tick needs to bite and feed to pass along disease into her bloodstream. I imagine she is quite tired from her busy day. To be safe, watch for continued lethargy, limping, joint swelling, and a loss of appetite. I hope this helps!

If where you live has a problem with Lyme disease, then yes there is a concern. That being said, if she is up to date on her tick treatments, then it should work to kill the tick before something like Lyme disease can be transmitted. Best of luck, I hope this helps!