Accepted Answer

Hello,

If small enough, this would have to be a tick, but if making that large of a mess (most ticks just fall off filled with blood), then it was likely a blood-filled cyst which ruptured. Those are not so uncommon in older dogs; they are benign and unless they bother the dog, we often don't bother with them. When they burst, we clean up with some betadine (iodine) solution diluted a part to 10 parts warm water. If it indeed left a 'hole' still, your vet should check it out as a thorough flushing of this opening should be done and possibly some oral antibiotics. Sometimes these cysts become infected; though self-limiting, can added to the mess when they burst.

If it was a tick which burst for some reason, this particular tick, if transmitting lyme disease, would take minimum 6 weeks to test positive. However, if he frequently gets ticks on him, running a lyme test doesn't hurt. The treatment for lyme is an antibiotic long term (30 days is best); doxycycline is best choice, but for dogs who get stomach upset from it, amoxicillin will be used.

Hope this helps, let me know if I can help further.

Christine

Expert:	ChristineLVT
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	6/28/2009

Certified Veterinary Technician

Licensed veterinary technician (B.S. Mercy College), 10 yrs in animal medicine and training