Where do ticks usually sit on a dog or cat’s body?

Ticks prefer warm, hidden areas where the skin is thin and blood vessels are easy to reach. Common sites include the ears and ear canals, around the neck and collar area, between the toes, under the tail and around the anus, armpits, groin, and along the face and eyelids. Regular full-body checks are important to find them early.

What are ear ticks and how are they different from body ticks?

Ear ticks often sit inside or around the ear and can cause irritation, head shaking, scratching and ear infections. Body ticks are usually found on the neck, back, belly, tail base, armpits and between toes. Both types of ticks suck blood and can transmit tick-borne diseases like Ehrlichia and Babesia.

Can my pet have tick fever even if I do not see any ticks?

Yes. A tick may bite, feed and fall off before you notice it. The germs it injects can remain in the blood and cause tick fever later. That is why vets in tick-prone areas often advise CBC and tick panel blood tests when a dog shows signs like fever, weakness, pale gums or bleeding, even if ticks are not visible.

When should I ask for blood tests for tick-borne diseases?

You should talk to your veterinarian about blood tests if your dog has a history of ticks and shows signs such as fever, reduced appetite, weight loss, pale or yellow gums, nosebleeds, red spots on the skin or lameness. In Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh, vets commonly recommend CBC, blood smear and tick panel tests in such cases.

Where can I get help for tick-related diseases in pets in Bhopal and MP?

Your veterinarian can examine your pet and collect samples for lab testing. At Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal we perform CBC, smear and tick panel tests to support vets in diagnosing tick-borne diseases and monitoring recovery across Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh.

Which Ticks Affect Which Part of the Pet’s Body?

By Pashupatinath Vet Lab • Shahpura, Bhopal

If you live in Bhopal or anywhere in Madhya Pradesh, you have probably seen ticks on street dogs or even on your own pet. But did you know that different ticks have different favourite hiding places on a dog or cat’s body?

Knowing where to look can help you remove ticks early and reduce the risk of tick fever and other diseases.

Why do ticks choose particular body parts?

Ticks like places that are:

Warm and protected from sunlight
Hard for the pet to lick or scratch
Rich in blood supply with thin skin

This is why they prefer folds, corners and hidden spots more than open areas like the back or legs.

1. Ear ticks – inside and around the ears

The ears are one of the most common and sensitive sites for ticks:

Outside the ear flap (pinna)
On the inner side of the ear flap
At the base of the ear, hidden in fur
Sometimes inside the ear canal

Signs you may notice:

Head shaking and scratching at the ears
Redness, scabs or wounds around the ear
Foul smell or discharge if there is infection

2. Neck and collar region

The neck is warm and often covered by a collar, making it a favourite spot:

Under the collar
Behind the neck where the dog cannot easily reach
Along the sides of the neck in thick fur

It is a good habit to remove the collar regularly and check this area carefully.

3. Between the toes and on the feet

Ticks love to hide between the toes where the skin is soft and hidden:

Between each toe (interdigital spaces)
Around the paw pads
Under long hair on the feet

Signs can include licking the feet, limping or swelling between toes. These ticks are easy to miss unless you physically separate the toes and look closely.

4. Armpits and groin (under the front and back legs)

Armpits (axillae) and groin area are warm, moist and protected:

Under the front legs where they meet the body
Inside the hind leg where it meets the belly

These areas are less visible, so gently lift the legs and part the fur to check.

5. Tail base and under the tail

The area around the tail is another favourite:

At the base of the tail on top and underneath
Around the anus and under the tail
In long fur near the backside

Ticks here may cause your dog to drag or chew at the tail, or rub the backside on the ground.

6. Head, face and around the eyes

Some ticks attach on:

Eyebrows and eyelids
Lips and around the mouth
Under the chin and along the jawline

Ticks in these areas can cause irritation, eye redness or swelling.

7. Along the back and belly

Body ticks can be found anywhere on the skin surface:

Along the back and sides
On the chest and belly (especially where fur is thin)
On the inner thighs

Running your fingers against the fur direction can help feel small bumps that might be ticks.

What problems can ticks cause on the skin?

Locally, ticks can cause:

Red bumps and scabs where they attach
Hair loss and thickened skin in chronic cases
Secondary bacterial or fungal skin infections
Ear infections when they sit near or inside the ear

More importantly, ticks can transmit tick-borne diseases like Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis into the bloodstream.

Can a dog have tick fever even if I removed all ticks?

Yes. It takes only one infected tick bite to inject germs into the blood. The tick may then fall off or be removed, but the organisms stay inside the body and multiply.

That’s why in Bhopal and other tick-heavy areas of MP, veterinarians often recommend:

CBC to check red cells and platelets
Blood smear to look for parasites on cells
Tick panel tests (ELISA and/or PCR) when needed

How to check your pet for ticks at home

At least once a week (or more during tick season):

Run your hands slowly over your pet’s entire body.
Part the fur to see the skin, especially in hidden areas.
Check:
- Ears and around ear base
- Neck and under collar
- Armpits and groin
- Between toes and paw pads
- Tail base and under the tail
- Face and eyelids

If you are unsure how to remove ticks safely, ask your vet to demonstrate the correct method and prescribe tick preventive products.

Ticks and lab testing in Bhopal & Madhya Pradesh

Because our region has a high tick burden, blood testing plays a big role in keeping dogs safe:

Early CBC screening in dogs with fever or weakness
Tick panel tests when tick fever is suspected
Follow-up tests to monitor recovery after treatment

At Pashupatinath Vet Lab in Shahpura, Bhopal we work with veterinarians to provide CBC, smear and tick panel tests for pets across Madhya Pradesh.

✅ Key message: Regular tick checks plus appropriate blood tests when your vet advises are the best way to protect your pet from tick-borne diseases.

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