What is the hard lump that developed from a tick bite?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – What is the hard lump that developed from a tick bite? How long will it take to go away?

Sharilyn Peterson

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking about a lump that formed at the location of a tick bite. Some dogs can get a local skin reaction or infection at a tick bite location. Does it look red, infected, drainage or is it just hard?

If it is not infected and just a hard lump – it may take a few weeks (2 to 6 weeks) to go away. If it gets bigger, seems painful – then I’d worry.

To be safest – see your veterinarian to have the area evaluated.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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