Ticks

My little one has had her first encounter with a deer tick. Any advice on how to proceed? I don't believe it was on her for long, but it was definitely attached. A call to the pediatrician has yet to be returned...

 

Get her in as soon as possible. If, I repeat if, she has contracted Lyme, the sooner it is diagnosed, the better.

 

I don't claim to be an expert, and would certainly defer to anything your pediatrician says, but my opinion is a little different than the previous post.

First, the vast majority of ticks are wood ticks, not deer ticks, so unless you really know the difference, you're probably ok. And second, even though Lyme is an epidemic ( I know, I got it myself a couple years ago), the vast majority of deer ticks don't carry it. When I was seeing a doctor, the advice I got was that there was no need to go in unless symptoms begin to appear.

But again, trust your own pediatrician.

 

Lyme can show up anytime. My 5 year was diagnosed with it a year after he was exposed to a tick. His only symptom was an extremely swollen knee. I would watch for symptoms and if you see the telltale bulls-eye rash get her in to the dr asap. They'll draw blood and check the titers. PM me if you want some more info.

 

A couple months ago, our toddler had one attached to the back of her knee. I believe it was from walking in tall grass near the community center a few hours earlier. Luckily it was not embedded and we were able to remove it in tact. I put it in a ziploc bag and took it to the pediatrician's office. They sent the tick out for testing. It was a deer tick (the kind that sometimes carry Lyme Disease) but luckily the test came back negative. The doctor also looked at her knee and did not see any type of rash or concern.

Having lived near Old Lyme, CT for a few years, I personally feel it is better to be a bit extra cautious and have it looked at right away since it can be treated if discovered. I'd recommend talking to the doctor, taking the tick in (if possible) and keep an eye on your child for any rash (classic bulls eye) and if anything shows up they can prescribe antibiotics.

 

I agree with saving the tick if possible, and having it tested. My nephew deveolped Lyme disease, and never had the "bulls eye" rash that everyone talks about. Be firm with your ped. some say the tick is too small to send off. The sooner you start on antibiotics, if positive, the better.

 

My daughter just found a tick IN her bellybutton!! I am amazed that she found it in there. It was very difficult to get out. Just another hiding spot to look out for...(it was sooo tiny!)

 

While eating breakfast this morning a tick decided to venture across the table...looks like we're in for another tick infestation. It must have come in during our evening walk yesterday.

Time to start inspecting for ticks after enjoying the outdoors...

 

(There has to be some lamo pun about Time and Ticks.. There just has to be one!)

 

We got a tick off our daughter last year by putting a blob of vaseline on it. it backed right out! OUr puppy got one by the pine trees coming out of the area of the tennis courts towards Claiborne. I'm glad I had pants, long sleeves and a hat on that day!

 

My puppy got bit with a tick a couple of days ago and we were able to remove it completely and brought him into the vet to make sure everything was okay. He is on his monthly flea and tick meds too. The vet said that my dog was the 5th dog he had seen that day that had a run-in with ticks! The other four dogs were in for just routine visits and the vet spotted the tick on the dog and the owner did not know! I am really good about checking him each time he comes in from going potty. The vet also said that they are finding that the flea and tick meds are becoming weaker on the last week before the next application. So it might be best to administer it every three weeks instead of four.

 

We use Bug Off, which we get at Doggone Natural. It is powerful and we spray it on Keeva 2 times a day. Haven't had a tick since the day I forgot to spray her. Our vet uses that on her dogs.

 

not to get all hippie on you...but i would watch using frontline, etc. too. - especially if you're using it every 3 instead of 4 weeks. there are so many chemicals in those meds that are being absorbed into the animals skin -especially the frontline plus version. there was some health issues reported a few weeks ago on nbc about frontline plus.

bug off (that brassy mentioned) works great as do other natural remedies. trust me on this - our lab/husky was a magnet for the ticks around here (they really are particularly bad on some pathways in broadlands!)!

don't mean to sound preachy, just know that there are alternatives.

 

so if you want to switch from frontline to natural, is there a period that you should wait thru before switching, so the dog's system isn't adversly affected? i don't want to use frontline on my lil guy any more...

 

Not only are the chemicals in frontline, and other topical flea tick killers potentially bad for your dogsbut, they are bad for you as well.

 

Yes he uses frontline. I was so nervous about giving it to him since he is so small (chihuahua). Every month I nearly cry b/c he itches a bit until the stuff is dry. Plus it does smell of chemicals too. I am interested in hearing the response to redon1's post.

 

Also, is there anything I can do (spray, plant, etc) in my own yard that will lessen the ticks? We have a common wooded area behind our house and lots of gardens and I have found a few ticks on him from the back yard. He is a small dog though so he likes doing under bushes. But have wondered if there is anything else I can do to make them stay out of my yard...

 

I think this is going to be a bad year for ticks. We were at Oatlands Plantation this past weekend and while there I found a tick crawing on me and one on my daughter. We checked out the entire family and didn't find anymore when we left. The following evening, I found one attached to my chest!

 

All these posts make me want to stay indoors!
How much is Bug Off? Do you really have to spray 2x per day?
Also, I am interested in knowing if there's anything we can spray to lessen them in our yard.
We found one on our dog in March so we started Frontline back then..... but it doesnot prevent the tick from landing in the fur and coming indoors....

 

I agree with you krmckee! I have total bug paranoia. And I have found serveral ticks on him and it is so gross. I am curious to know how much the Buff Off is too.