My 3-Month-Old Puppy Was Bitten by a Large, Engorged Tick

You did the right thing by removing the tick promptly and cleaning the area. A small, firm bump at the bite site for a few days is common. Call your vet if the area becomes very red, swollen, warm or starts to ooze.

Yes, it's a good idea to book a vet visit. Your vet can check the bite, make sure your puppy is on a tick preventive that is safe for his age and weight, and tell you which tick-borne diseases are common where you live. Many tick products have a minimum age, so don't use an adult product on a young puppy without advice.

Over the next few months, watch for fever, low energy, a poor appetite, lameness or swollen joints. Lyme disease signs usually appear 2 to 5 months after a bite, while some other tick-borne infections can show up sooner. Our guide to Lyme disease in dogs and our page on removing ticks from dogs have more tips.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.