[MoneyMike]

Hey guys, I'm taking care of a friends dog while she's visiting some family. I was petting her earlier today when I felt something stuck in her fur. I thought it was just a piece of dirt or something, so I pulled it off. Turned out to be a bug.

I took the bug in a few pieces of paper towel and squeezed it, and it popped and there was some nasty black stain on the paper towel. Did a little research on the internet and I think the bug was a tick.

I guess I got lucky removing it, because the whole thing came out, including the head. I checked the dog really thoroughly for more ticks and couldn't find any. I then gave her a full scrub down with shampoo.

Should I take the dog to a vet? Is there anything else I should do to make sure she's ok?

Thanks for any advice!

[CorkyMax]

I wouldn't think you would have to take the dog to the vet--UNLESS it starts acting sick or different and here are some symptoms---->
This info about some of the diseases and the symptoms: Diseases Affecting Blood Cells
There are several diseases that ticks can transmit to your dog that affect his blood cells. These diseases include those caused by the Bartonella microorganism, the Babesia parasite, and Ehrlichia/Anaplasma. Symptoms of these blood-borne diseases include fever, anemia and weight loss. Some also affect the joints. Treatment includes antibiotic therapy, and blood transfusions for the more severe cases.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
A common disease is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), transmitted by the American Dog Tick and the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Tick. The microbe that actually causes the disease is also a rickettsia called Rickettsia rickettsii. RMSF is often manifested by neurological signs (dizziness, seizures), as well as muscle and joint pain. There is antibiotic treatment for this disease, but dogs with severe neurological problems may not recover completely.

Lyme Disease
The most common disease caused by ticks is called Lyme disease, named after the town in Connecticut where it was first diagnosed in the 1970's. A tiny, common deer tick (also called the black-legged tick) carries the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that cause the disease. The deer tick must be attached to the host for 24-48 hours for the bacteria to be transmitted. Dogs show several different forms of the disease, but by far, the most common symptoms are a fever of between 103°F and 105°F, shifting leg lameness, swelling in the joints, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Unfortunately, symptoms do not usually appear for two to five months post-exposure.

Preventic Tick Collar Lyme disease responds readily to antibiotics, but damage to joints can be permanent. There is a vaccine available, but it does not ensure total protection. Both Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease are transmissible to humans via ticks.

Being as you got the head and the whole tick---not as much to worry about but here is some info you may be interested in:
After removing the tick, place it in a jar of alcohol to kill it. Ticks are NOT killed by flushing them down the toilet.

Clean the bite wound with a disinfectant. If you want to, apply a small amount of a triple antibiotic ointment.

Wash your hands thoroughly.

Please do not use your fingers to remove or dispose of the tick. We do not want you in contact with a potentially disease-carrying tick. Do NOT squash the tick with your fingers. The contents of the tick can transmit disease.

How to Remove a Tick Once an embedded tick is manually removed, it is not uncommon for a welt and skin reaction to occur. A little hydrocortisone spray will help alleviate the irritation, but it may take a week or more for healing to take place. In some cases, the tick bite may permanently scar leaving a hairless area. This skin irritation is due to a reaction to tick saliva. Do not be worried about the tick head staying in; it rarely happens.

And here is a thread I started in here a while back that tells the best safest, and easiest way to remove a tick
Easy Tick Removal--Lol, The Dog or You!

[CorkyMax]

Just came across this good bit of info: (If you are concerned and want to make sure your dog will be okay)-- After removing an engorged tick, place it in a jar of alcohol to kill it, put the dead tick in a tightly sealed Ziplock bag and write the date on the bag. Take the tick to a vet to have it analyzed at a lab for Lyme disease or any other tick-borne diseases.

[dlitedrive]

No need to take the dog to the vet. Just use a flea/tick shampoo regularly.

[jdela25]

Can you recommend some shampoos that can remove ticks? My dog is a shih tzu.