Questions about ticks/lyme disease

[roadweed]

In preparation for leaving AK in early Feb. and driving across the U.S. I am going to begin asking about health issues that we know nothing about up here. I will then print the threads and carry them with me as easy reference, as well as taking them with me on a visit to the vets before I leave. My first question is about Ticks. I have read a bit about them here, but the information is all fragmented; I would like to consolidate it to one easy to print thread. What type of conditions do they thrive in, and whereabouts are they located? What do they look like, and how big are they? What is the best way to prevent tick bites, and how do you remove them? I am printing the recent thread about tick paralysis, besides this and Lyme disease what else could they cause? What % of ticks harbor Lyme disease and what are the preventatives(and dangers of these preventatives), symptoms (including time-frame), and treatments of this disease and any others that ticks can cause? Gretchen has more than likely never been exposed to a tick. I can't think of any other questions but any information you could provide will be helpful. Thankyou :)

[Judi W]

Although the Merk manual is now on line, I have found Martindale's the most complete resource.

http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/Vet.html

I would suggest consulting with your vet regarding tick control. The Preventick collar is the most highly recommended that I am aware of however you want to know if you are also entering flea territory and if so, one of the other preparations that protects against both might be advised. Also, you need to evaluate the degree of exposure your dog will have. Some areas of the country a house dog has little exposure so no protection is required.

[Beckysmom]

I am having a problem following tick bites myself alas and so am learning more than I would like to know.

A group called BIRC in Berkeley Calif has a good small booklet on ticks. And there is a site www.tickinfo.com (or .org?) where I found a pamphlet online with good pictures.

Ticks look different at different stages (nymphs have 6 legs, adults 8 legs)--and depending on type of tick.

If you are coming through the west (BC, Wash, OReg, Calif) it is worth noting that we have WINTER ticks. Problems can be Lyme, relapsing fever, babesiosis, erlichiosis, even Q fever or tularemia...heading east the ticks are less a problem in winter, but you have to add on things like Rocky Mountain spotted fever...

I am not sure how many of these affect dogs. Even though he spends a lot more time poking his head into brush etc. Bodhi has not been getting ticks (He is not wearing any special collar). I suspect that I was run down after Becky's death and thus more susceptible myself than in previous years...
Anyway, I had no tick bites in 6 years--and then about 6 in one month all in the same area and doing about the same things.

If you want to go more natural, vanilla sprayed on dog coat, human skin and clothing can help repell ticks, and garlic and brewers yeast really do help. I myself have not gotten another tick on me since I have taken to garlic, brewer's yeast and vanilla for both me and the dog.

Slick fabrics in light colors well tucked in, so you can see ticks and get them off help. checking both people and dogs after walks helps a lot. (flea comb the dog) Ticks tend to "stick" to flannel, so a piece of white flannel can help. If a tick is found crawling get it off and kill it, but avoid getting its insides on hands (use a tissue or plastic bag to protect yourself). If a tick has bit, get it off as soon as possible. Try to grab close to head to avoid squishing the insides out into you or the dog as case may be. Try to pull strait back to avoid the head breaking off. Use antiseptic right away on area. Save the tick just in case can be good idea. If any sickness at all or rash or anything questionable, get to doctor or vet soon. Most ticks probably do not have Lyme disease--but some do. I was told that less than 10% of the west coast deer type ticks carry Lyme (2 species in west carry it in general, both have black legs and are pretty small, like about 1/8 inch before engorgement with blood), and that the more common dog ticks almost never do.

In west problem seems to be most in the forest areas, in mid country and east it seems to be more in grassy and brushy areas. In both it tends to be in areas where there are deer and rodents as carriers of the tick population. New England, incl Lyme CT, weschester area of New York, etc. are especially bad in regard to Lyme ticks.

By early Feb, you may be in the best time of year not to have much problems with either the west coast "Winter" ticks who are most active now, or the east coast "summer" ticks.

Dangers of chemical surface preventatives are the chemicals. of the vaccine, dangers are that some animals supposedly died from the vaccine...and that it won't protect against other possible tick illnesses. The chemicals also are not perfect in that if the tick lands and bites before the chemical kills/repes it, it is possible for a tick borne illness to be transmitted even if the attachment time is short.

One holistic vet's book I read said that if animals are healthy ticks do not bother them...I don't think this is absolutely true. But I do think that there is a large measure of truth to that.

If you come this way, I'd love to meet you and Gretchen!