Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM • Chief Executive Officer, RexVet • 2026-07-04 • 10 min read
Dog Tick Bite: Removal, Testing & Prevention — FL, NY & VA Vet Guide
How to safely remove a tick, when to test for Lyme, Ehrlichia, RMSF, and how FL/NY/VA licensed vets prescribe prevention by $64.99 video.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
You find a tick on your dog. Now what? The steps you take in the next 5 minutes affect the risk of Lyme, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Anaplasma. This guide is for FL, NY, and VA dog parents to remove ticks safely, test at the right time, and prevent the next one.
Safe tick removal — step by step
- Use fine-tipped tweezers, tick removal tool, or gloves — never bare fingers
- Grasp the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible — you want the mouthparts, not the body
- Pull straight up with steady even pressure — do NOT twist or jerk
- Do NOT burn, smother with petroleum jelly, nail polish, or dish soap — these methods cause the tick to regurgitate saliva into the wound, INCREASING disease transmission
- Once removed, place the tick in a small container with rubbing alcohol or a sealed ziplock bag — some vets and county labs will test the tick itself
- Clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol or antiseptic
- Note the date and location on the dog's body
Testing timing — this is the mistake most owners make
The 4Dx SNAP test (Lyme, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Heartworm) detects antibodies, which take 4-6 weeks to develop after tick disease exposure. Testing immediately after a tick bite will miss early infection. Correct approach: perform the 4Dx SNAP test 4-6 weeks after a known tick bite, or at the annual wellness exam. In the meantime, watch for symptoms: lethargy, joint pain (limping that shifts legs), fever, decreased appetite, facial swelling.
The 4 main tick diseases in FL/NY/VA dogs
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) — Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Requires 24-48 hours of attachment. Symptoms: shifting-leg lameness, fever, lethargy, lymph node enlargement, kidney involvement in severe cases. Treatment: doxycycline 4 weeks.
- Ehrlichia (Ehrlichia canis) — Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Symptoms: bleeding, fever, joint pain, weight loss, chronic anemia. Treatment: doxycycline 4-6 weeks.
- Anaplasma (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) — Deer ticks. Symptoms: fever, lethargy, joint pain, sometimes low platelets. Treatment: doxycycline 4 weeks.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) — American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). Requires only 5-20 hours of attachment. Acute severe illness: high fever, lethargy, joint pain, small bleeds under skin, sometimes fatal. Treatment: doxycycline urgently.
Red flags — same-day vet visit
- Fever alongside recent tick exposure
- Shifting-leg lameness (limping on one leg one day, another the next)
- Lethargy or decreased appetite in previously-healthy dog
- Facial swelling or hives after tick removal — possible allergic reaction
- Small bruises or bleeding gums — possible platelet drop from Ehrlichia or RMSF
- Any tick bite in a puppy under 4 months
Prevention — year-round, not seasonal
- Oral prevention (NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio) — kills ticks 8-12 hours after attachment, usually before disease transmission. Monthly (NexGard) or every 3 months (Bravecto).
- Topical prevention (Frontline Plus, Advantix II) — works but less reliably, longer to kill ticks
- Tick collars (Seresto) — 8-month protection, good for outdoor and hunting dogs
- Environmental — mow grass short, remove leaf litter, keep dog off tall grass and wooded edges
- Lyme vaccine — recommended in high-exposure areas; discuss with vet
Florida: brown dog ticks + year-round transmission
Florida's warm year-round climate means tick activity is 12 months per year. Brown dog ticks (Ehrlichia carrier) are common in FL yards and kennels. Every FL dog should be on year-round oral tick prevention — no seasonal breaks. Add environmental control: mow short, remove leaf debris.
New York: deer ticks + Lyme hotspot
NY (especially Hudson Valley, Long Island, Westchester) is a Lyme disease hotspot. Deer tick populations are heavy in wooded and grassy areas. Any NY dog with even one confirmed tick attached over 24 hours should have 4Dx testing 4-6 weeks later. Consider Lyme vaccine for high-risk dogs.
Virginia: multiple tick species + RMSF
VA has one of the heaviest tick burdens in the US, with deer ticks, American dog ticks, and Lone Star ticks all common. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever risk is real — a VA dog with sudden high fever and lethargy after tick exposure needs urgent doxycycline before test results even come back. Year-round prevention is essential.
How telehealth fits
$64.99 RexVet video visits with FL/NY/VA-licensed vets coach tick removal, prescribe year-round oral prevention (NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio), interpret 4Dx SNAP results, and start doxycycline treatment for confirmed positive tick disease. Symptomatic dog with fever, joint pain, or facial swelling → in-person for exam and bloodwork.
Emergency signals
When to contact a veterinarian
- Fever with recent tick exposure
- Shifting-leg lameness (limping on one leg then another)
- Lethargy or decreased appetite in a previously-healthy dog
- Facial swelling or hives after tick removal
- Small bruises or bleeding gums — platelet drop
- Any tick bite in a puppy under 4 months
- Multiple ticks found — high exposure
Frequently asked questions
How do I safely remove a tick from my dog?
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the dog's skin as possible. Pull straight up with steady even pressure. Do NOT twist, burn, or smother with petroleum jelly or nail polish — those methods cause disease transmission to increase. Clean the site after and save the tick.
Can a RexVet online vet help with tick bites?
Yes for removal coaching, year-round prevention prescriptions (NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio), 4Dx SNAP test interpretation, and doxycycline treatment for confirmed tick disease. $64.99 video visits with FL/NY/VA-licensed vets. Symptomatic dog with fever or joint pain needs in-person exam and bloodwork.
How soon after a tick bite should I test for Lyme?
The 4Dx SNAP test detects antibodies which take 4-6 weeks to develop. Testing immediately after a bite will miss early infection. Correct: test 4-6 weeks post-bite, or at annual wellness exam. Watch for symptoms (lethargy, shifting-leg lameness, fever) in the meantime.
Should my dog be on tick prevention year-round?
In FL, absolutely yes — tick activity is 12 months per year. In NY/VA, also yes — even winter days above freezing keep ticks active. Year-round oral prevention (NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica Trio) is standard-of-care in all three states.
What are the signs of Lyme or other tick diseases in my dog?
Lyme: shifting-leg lameness, fever, lethargy, lymph node swelling. Ehrlichia: bleeding, fever, weight loss, anemia. RMSF: high fever, joint pain, small bleeds under skin. All treated with doxycycline. Any of these symptoms in a dog with tick exposure warrant a vet visit and 4Dx testing.
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About the author
Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Chief Executive Officer, RexVet
Licensed veterinarian and CEO of RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.). Practicing across Florida, New York, and Virginia via licensed telehealth. Reviews every clinical article on RexVet before publication.