Tick or something else?

Today I noticed something strange on my German Shepherd's elbow.  Sounds strange but it looks almost like a raisin.  It's not a lump but rather hangs off...kindof like a skin tag.  But the color is like a raisin and so is the texture.  We don't have any experience with ticks but we've recently moved to a new home so maybe there are some here.  We did a Google search and came up with some suggestions on how to remove but we were worried to pull too hard.  She doesn't seem to be preoccupied with this but we don't want to irritate it and have her chewing at it.  We already have an appointment on Tuesday for her annual checkup and shots but do you think it is OK to wait until then?  Does it sound like a tick or could it be something else?  Thank you!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Examine the underside of the 'raisin', If you see tiny legs near the base than it is a tick.  Just use a tweezer at the base, as close to the skin of your dog as possible and pull straight out slowly and forcefully.  If there are no legs, or you feel unsure, wait until Tuesday.  If the tick was infected with Lyme or other tick disease it will not show up in your dogs blood for at least two weeks.  The tick can transmit Lyme or other tick-borne disease in as little as 24 hours.