[Red]

We were checking Kasper over today and found our first tick ever Luckily since moving here (as someone had told us ticks were common) we had a tick remover and so were able to get the thing off him and dropped it into alcohol.

The tick must have been on since this morning's dog walk...we use flea and tick spot-on treatments, but it was still on him!!

My question is, should we phone our vet or take Kasper in for an appt? Kasper is terrified at the vets, and it really sets back his progress, so I really don't want to take him in if he doesn't need it...we've never used this vet before either so I have no idea how they would be with Kasper, of if they'd get us to bring him in simply because they would get money that way...

The pups were due another dose of flea and tick remover in under a weeks' time, but seeing as Kasper had a tick on him we treated them both a little early.

If you find a tick on your dog is a vet appt crucial?

 

[crock]

I've never brought one of my dogs to the vet just because I found a tick on them, if that helps.

 

[XenaBeanAndMrEko]

I keep the tick in a plastic baggie in the freezer and keep an eye on the dogs for a while, then toss it if they act fine.

 

[Red]

Thank you crock, that makes us feel a lot better You wouldn't believe how much we've been panicking over this tick lol :eyeroll:

Thanks XenaBeanAndMrEko! We'll be keeping a close eye on him for any signs of sickness over the coming months and take him to the vets if he appears ill.

 

[cookieface]

I've never brought one of my dogs to the vet just because I found a tick on them, if that helps.

Me, too. I would probably note the date the tick was found, approximately how long it was attached, and watch for symptoms like limping or general soreness. I've read that ticks need to be attached for about 24 hours transmit disease, but I think that was for humans - not sure it would apply to dogs, too.

Do you get annual tests for tick diseases and heartworm? If Kasper gets ticks frequently, you could test more often. I know several people who test every six months.

 

[patronizingrabbits]

When I'm up north I pull anywhere between 1 and 3 ticks off Jayne a day and it's common to find them when we walk in the woods, the idea of taking her to the vet every time she got a tick makes my wallet cringe.

 

[Red]

Thanks cookieface We live in the UK so heartworm isn't a worry for us, but I've never heard of a test for tick diseases. Is that something I should bring up with our vet?

We're planning on booking an appt at the new vets and taking both dogs in once we've moved house, I have a few questions I want to ask so will add that to my list!

 

[Red]

When I'm up north I pull anywhere between 1 and 3 ticks off Jayne a day and it's common to find them when we walk in the woods, the idea of taking her to the vet every time she got a tick makes my wallet cringe.

Haha! Good to know, thank you

 

[BlacDog]

Lol you'd hate it here. We find ticks in the house every day. There are some in our yard, here and there, but they're everywhere else thats tall grass/trees/bushes. Lots of deer and moose here = lots of ticks. Luckily they're all dog ticks, which don't carry lyme, but they can still carry other things.
I pulled about 50 off of my dog in the course of 3 days because of a few short outings where she didn't even spend more than a few minutes at a time in tall grass. Tick season in this part of the province sucks. I even found a few embedded in my scalp despite only walking under one tree lol they wait for ya
But never had any issues. They say usually if you're removing them within the first 24-48 hours there isnt much to worry about. The longer theyre there the more at risk you are of getting sick. So if you find engorged ticks, thats usually when its more of a time to worry, but back in Ontario I pulled off plenty of fat deer ticks off of my dog and never had an issue with her getting sick either (still took her to the vet because I was paranoid at the time)

 

[Red]

Oh jeez, yeah I would hate that lol! Omg pulling 50 ticks off in three days, it was stressful enough getting one off Kasper haha!

 

[BlacDog]

You become a pro eventually Pliers are the best for properly removing them (in my opinion) but I had no idea ticks were so bad here, next time we're in town I'll have to purchase some preventative measures lol

 

[patronizingrabbits]

You really do get the hang of it, like @BlacDog said. It's funny because I used to be disgusted to even pull ticks off myself, but now that I have a dog I just pluck them off and throw them in the toilet. Things become so much easier when you have to do something for a creature that can't do it for itself.

 

[BlacDog]

You really do get the hang of it, like @BlacDog said. It's funny because I used to be disgusted to even pull ticks off myself, but now that I have a dog I just pluck them off and throw them in the toilet. Things become so much easier when you have to do something for a creature that can't do it for itself.

Hahaha same here. Jeez the first time I found a tick on my girl it was already engorged but on her face... and I had no idea how it got that big without me noticing. It took me 20 minutes to pull it off because I was so squeamish and had no idea what I was doing.. once I did I just felt gross for like three days. I even took a shower immediately after.
And now its like.. my boyfriend will be petting the dog and say "found one" and I just pull a pair of pliers out of my pocket, twist them out, crush 'em and chuck 'em.

 

[Lab4Life]

I found my first one of the season the other night - on MY neck !! Aggghhhh it was horrible.

 

[Red]

Omg Lab4Life I can't imagine having one on me!!! Did it hurt to pull it off?!

Well, we just had to battle tick number two today, aaagh!!

It was on Kasper's cheek so we had to restrain his head to get it off. He did *really* well. He was a bit uncomfortable but he let us do what had to be done, and afterwards we showered him with treats (couldn't really do it during as it made his head move too much!)

We were much better at getting the second tick off...really hoping we don't have to deal with anymore though!!

 

[Red]

Also does anyone have any idea how to thoroughly search a dog for ticks with thick, dark coloured fur? I think we do okay but do we have to thoroughly sift through every bit of fur, or is a careful thorough rub-down with our hands all that is needed? What do you do?

Oh, and why isn't the tick preventative dealing with these?! Do the ticks have to be attached for quite a long time before the chemical kills them?

(sorry for all the questions... )

 

[Springer3]

Also does anyone have any idea how to thoroughly search a dog for ticks with thick, dark coloured fur? I think we do okay but do we have to thoroughly sift through every bit of fur, or is a careful thorough rub-down with our hands all that is needed? What do you do?

Oh, and why isn't the tick preventative dealing with these?! Do the ticks have to be attached for quite a long time before the chemical kills them?

(sorry for all the questions... )

I found here in SE PA (haven for deer ticks), that neither Frontline or Advantix II was keeping ticks off for longer than 2 weeks. I don't use them anymore & just use a natural spray & check as closely as I can. I have had ticks this year on the dogs, but no more than when I used the poisons. I go back & forth all the time, but am comfortable with my decision for now. My older dog actually had Lyme earlier this year, probably from a tick from last fall. I wasn't comfortable putting the stuff on monthly, let alone more often. I would imagine the ticks are getting immune in a lot of regions.

 

[cookieface]

Thanks cookieface We live in the UK so heartworm isn't a worry for us, but I've never heard of a test for tick diseases. Is that something I should bring up with our vet?

We're planning on booking an appt at the new vets and taking both dogs in once we've moved house, I have a few questions I want to ask so will add that to my list!

Oops. I didn't notice that you are in the UK. At our yearly exam, Katie's vet does a quick blood test that checks for HW, Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma as they are all common in our area. Your vet should know what diseases are prevalent in your area, which tests are needed, and what preventatives are effective.

Deer ticks are tiny and the only way we notice them on Katie is because she tends to lick at them. I'm not sure we'd be able to find them even during a bath.

Katie tested positive for anaplasmosis even though she's was on year-round preventatives. She was over the dosage weight limit for about 6 weeks last year, so that could have been when she became infected. We now have her on a higher dose. It doesn't completely prevent ticks from attaching, but it does greatly reduce the numbers. Without a preventative, we were finding several (e.g., 6+) attached every day. With a preventative, we find one every few months including some that aren't attached and could have been carried in by my husband or me. I've found them on the kitchen floor, on my bath towel, and in our bed. Ick! I get skeeved out just thinking about it.

Not sure this is helpful to you... Bottom line, I'd talk to the vet about concerns and preventatives for your specific area.

 

[Red]

Thank you for the replies

Springer3, I don't like how many chemicals we have to use with our pups either...if the vet says there is a high chance of lungworm where we next live, that's another med to add to the list...!

cookieface, I'll definitely make an appt with the vet and go in to talk about threats common in our area. That sounds like a good idea and I could meet the vet first without taking Kasper in, and quiz her on how good she is with fearful dogs too

I'm hoping we won't be moving house for a while after this, so I can build a good rapport with the new vet and Kasper (and me!) will begin to trust her more...