Tic on my dog?

Question

We just found a tic on my dog, and it was really big- like a big bump (you could hardly see it was a bug, just looked like a bump.) We got it completely off of him, but I am still very worried. I heard that tics can carry lyme disease. What should I do?

Answer 1

Call your vet or just a local vet tomorrow and ask if there have been any reported cases of lyme disease. Found this on a site that should alley your fears:

For a nymph to transmit B. burgdorferi, it must be attached to the host for at least 24-48 hours. If a tick dies or is removed within this 1-2 day period, transmission of the bacteria will not occur. Even if a tick is a carrier of B. burgdorferi and it attaches to the dog for more than 48 hours, the dog may not contract the disease. In fact, studies show that only around 10% of dogs that are exposed will contract the disease. There is no evidence to suggest that infected dogs pose a risk to other members of the household except as a reservoir of infected ticks.

Answer 2

Keep an eye on the area, making sure there is no infection. Since it was a big bump, it had been there awhile, sucking up the blood. You should treat your dog with Advantage, if you live in a wooded area, or go to wooded places, such as parks or out hiking with the dog. And check the dog after a walk. Ticks can carry lyme disease, but I woudn't think it is something you need to really stress about. The amount of time the tick had been there, your dog would show signs of illness by now.

Answer 3

Well, they do, but you can read up on Lyme disease online. You can also check on diseases carried by the deer ticks. Just keep an eye out for symptoms, but I doubt the dog will become ill.

If it was that big, I'd treat the site after removal of the tick with iodine.
I had to remove one once from a dog I had that was as big as a large lima bean or a fava bean. It was disgusting.

I hope you start treating the dog with something like Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix or Advantage as a preventive.

Answer 4

not to worry. Dogs have superior immune systems and the dog would have shed the tick sooner or later when the tick was full. However removing the tick was a good idea and it sounds like you got the whole thing. Sometimes the head of the tick will remain and become infected. not good. a good way to remove the tick is to heat the blade of a knife and hold it against the ticks body. The tick will back out because of the heat and then you don't have to worry about the head remaining. As far as the lime disease you don't have to worry at all. its a human disease.. Good luck

Answer 5

First - if you haven't already, buy a flea & tick preventative from your vet. I recommend Advantage. Also, your dog should be receiving a yearly lyme vaccine. Also, have your dog tested for lyme disease - this is a simple blood test that can be done in 10 minutes at the vet.

Answer 6

He should be perfectly fine. Do you put flea and tick preventative on him monthly? You might want to consider that. Frontline is pretty good. K9 Advantix does mosquitoes, too if you have a lot of them around. And it will actually repel the ticks so they don't bite for the first two weeks after application. That's what I put on my dog and he NEVER gets ticks. We even live out in the country in the middle of the woods!

Answer 7

Did you save the tick? If you did, take it to your vet and ask them if they can ID it to see if its the type that carries the Lyme Disease. They may also be able to test the tick and see if it was carrying any disease.

Answer 8

ultimate idia is to spray backyard shrink back all long grass and pine trees. use spot on remedies. Dip the puppy in case you fins any ticks. submit to in suggestions theyare arachnids and except what you're utilising kills them it won't kill ticks. If it ia a protracted haired canines a thorough clip could be a sturdy idia. i comprehend it wont seem sturdy yet you will discover the ticks this sort and if there are some hiding it somewhat is taken care of. you may get adams dip and dab the tick with it. or once you manage the backyard deliver sparky to the groomer. you will desire them out of the backyard for some hrs any techniques.

Answer 9

There are different types of ticks..more than likely it was a common deer tick. We live in the country and sometimes find ticks on us and our dogs. We have always carefully removed them and have had no health issues. Your dog should be fine.

Answer 10

Only deer ticks carry limes and they are very very small even when they are full they are not that big

this is a deer tick http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegallery/ticks/iscapfwd.html
http://www.fpnotebook.com/IDVectorDeerTicks.jpg

This is a wood tick http://mwrop.org/W_Needham/Pictures/Wood_Tick_040307.jpg

Here is some deer ticks engorged with blood http://media.wiley.com/assets/152/38/0-7645-5318-6_000300.jpg