Heads up on Ticks

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I found a blood filled tick on Jilly's belly this morning. It had left what looked like a red ring like mark on her skin. I called the vet's office, described the tick and the mark and they advised to wipe it with rubbing alcohol and keep a watch on it. They said the redness was most likely irritation from the bite and will fade away, but call back if it still looks irritated in the morning. They said they are getting a ton of calls regarding tick bites right now. Here's what we have:

The tick:

Jilly's mark

I'm pretty sure she got it on our walk last night. She always rolls over for a belly rub and I would have noticed it some time yesterday before the walk.

So I started checking her all over and wouldn't you know she had another on the top of her head, this tick was also filled with blood, but left no mark. Jack checked out clean.

Hopefully the redness will fade away by tomorrow. She seems fine otherwise.

I should mention that they are both on Frontline and have the Lyme's vaccination.

Just a head's up to check your doodles!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Never what you want to find!  Thanks for the heads up!

[Gail and Bailey]

Hope the red spot on Jilly goes away by tomorrow!  It is amazing how small the deer ticks are!  My husband and I get them from working in the yard and they are so hard to notice on your skin!   I have only found one dead one on Bailey so far...thank goodness!   Are your dogs on Frontline or Frontline Plus?

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Thanks! And I was just thinking I've never actually had one on me, yikes! They are on Frontline Plus.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There have been all kinds of articles in on-line news feeds recently about ticks, especially in the Northeast; everything from newly discovered tick-borne illnesses to the fact that mild winters in recent years have resulted in record numbers of ticks, and that moose populations are dying out due to tick infestations. 

Good reminder to be vigilant about checking our dogs. 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Geez, I'm not one for cold weather, but bring it on! At least long enough to take care of the bugs!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Janie, I know nothing about ticks except what I hear on DK.  Is it red because it is full of blood?  Can they be in backyards as well as in the woods?  OMGosh I am checking Libby today!  

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Lonnie, you are lucky if you never had to google ticks!! I know that there are black ticks and brown ones. The one on Jilly had little tiny black legs and head sticking out of that huge body. As for the red color, I had to google and sure enough "a single, oval body region that is relatively flat (except when filled with blood).  ....  They engorge enough so that red blood can be seen through their body wall."   Who knew?!!

Yes, they sure can be in backyards too. I read where they attach to fallen leaves and we have fallen leaves everywhere now. I'm going to be checking them every day. On Jack and Jilly, if they have one in their fur, the hair tends to part right where the tick is and helps to find it.

I hope Libby checks out clean!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think it's a geographical thing. Ticks are fairly rare west of the Rockies, except for certain areas along the Pacific Coast, according to the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thanks Karen for this information.  It was really a "heads up" for me as I know nothing about ticks or where they are mostly found.  Looks like there could be a couple different types in this region, but mostly on the coast.  The Brown Dog Tick can be everywhere in the US and it was not my type of reading.  LOL  Gave me the creeps.  I immediately went over to Libby and checked her from head to toe and she was very confused as to what I was doing, but was giving me kisses the entire time!  Go figure!  She gets groomed every third Friday and I would think if they found anything they would tell me.  I will be on the "look out" now that they seem to me more prevalent this year because of the weather.  She is not on any flea/tick medication, maybe I should talk to her vet!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thanks Janie, I did check her out from top to bottom and found nothing.  I read the article Karen posted and it certainly opened my eyes to ticks.  Not fun:(  I will definitely be on the look out from now on.  Hope Jilly is ok and no more ticks!  Reading the article gave me the creeps!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Makes me itchy just reading this. Hate those blood sucking little monsters! Thankfully haven't seen a one in quite awhile and never on Enz. But I check her every day when I am brushing her.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I hope Enzo never meets up with one!