Found a Tick

[dragondawg]

We found a tick on Honeygirl last night. It had been there for at least 2 days. We were able to remove it (including the head). So far, no changes in Honeygirl; she is eating ok, not throwing up, no changes in her mood. I immediatley put her flea and tick medicine on her (Advantix) as we are kind of lax about using it in the winter. How concerned should I be?

One study found that 20% of the ticks in an area where Lyme disease was endemic carried the spirochete. In another words possibly up to 80% of the ticks attached to our dogs are non-infectious. Also other studies have found the host developes a hypersensitivity (i.e. allergic) reaction to the tick antigens. The result is that the immune system on this heightened state of alert (i.e. due to the presence of the tick) is able to detect and kill any spirochetes transmitted by the tick.

If it were my dog I'd just observe it for the next few weeks. If it suddenly develops lameness or a GI upset that just as suddenly disappears, then a tick titer test might be worthwhile. Note also even if infected, it could take up to 6 months with Lyme before a strong antibody response can be picked up. As Catlady suggests the quickest and most accurate means of detecting Lyme is by culturing it from the tick.

[sumbirdy]

I live in tick area. In tick season we often find 10-15 on our dogs a day! (sometimes even more) Needless to say we are constantly de-ticking, dusting, spraying, bathing, dunking, ect. every day all summer. I would watch it for a few weeks and if your really worried about it take the tick to be tested by your vet (if you still have it) Or take your dog in often for checkups so he can detect any illness early on