Tick identification - I thought others might find this helpful

[Julie and Max]

So I found a tick on Max this morning, of course I'm freaking out. I pulled it off properly but still in a bit of a panic. He is actually going for a lyme test tomorrow so that is a bit of a relief. I did find this page that I found really helpful though, it's not specifically about dogs, but if your dog is in danger of getting a tick on them so are you. 

http://www.tickencounter.org/

[Julie and Max]

Thanks Mari, I've calmed down now, you're right it was the first time, I am sure I will get used to it as time goes on. I am following what you do, be vigilant to remove them and just watch for changes in my dog. 

Leslie I was reading that the tick population keeps increasing, There is not really anyway to prevent them at least not that I have found. I have read certain oils help but I don't know if I believe that at all. Using a spot treatment that will kill them is best, but make sure you use one that covers as many ticks as possible. I use revolution on the cats and was going to use that on Max but it only kills the american dog tick. Front Line Plus kills three kinds of ticks, lonestar, brown dog tick and deer tick I believe. Ticks are gross!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I had one in my head already :(  

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I wonder, if I know yogi got a tick on a walk, should I wear a scarf or something next time. We can get the ticks too, right?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep we can. I'm thinking of shaving my head I was so creeped out. LOL

[Julie and Max]

Joanne I had one stuck to the back of my neck last year it was so disgusting. :(

Leslie no matter what you wear make sure you check yourself and Yogi completely before you even go back into your house. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks. I bookmarked this.  We don't often have ticks so I am totally freaked out by them and even took our dog to the vet to have one removed when we found it on him!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Ticks are nasty. I pulled one off of Winston last fall. yuck.  If I'm not mistaken I had to wait 6 weeks or so for his lyme test to be done.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Sadly, I have friends with Lyme Disease (from deer ticks in the Texas hill country).  My friend suffers greatly from this disease, and her husband and parents tested positive too (scary!).  It can be passed from husband to wife through bodily fluids, fyi. The parents likely caught it the same time their daughter did, when she lived at home or near their home.  She is supposed to have her son tested too, as it can be passed from mother to baby too.  I'm terrified of getting a tick bite myself.

I have these in our camping kit: http://www.amazon.com/THE-TICK-KEY-The-Tick/dp/B000R1D3KQ/ref=sr_1_...

[Julie and Max]

Texas Doodle Mom I'm sorry for your friends, I know it's difficult to live with that. :(

I was reading on the page I posted that those keys aren't very effective though not sure why, I just glanced at it as I only had tweasers to use.

Nancy I didn't want to do it, but I couldn't leave it on him lol.

On that page I was reading that if you get the tick removed within 24 hours it doesn't really have time to transfer the viruses to you or the dog. It was an interesting and informative read. They don't really bite you, they suck, and as they're sucking the viruses are very slowly transferred into you. (I know that's gross, but I did find it helpful.)

Sherri they are very nasty, I have been itching all day because of the tick I pulled off Max. 

[Julie and Max]

Becky I would hate having to deal with all those ticks so much:(

I also read that the dryer (not the washer) kills ticks, so if you've been in an infested area to take off your clothes, throw them in the dryer before you wash them and the ticks will die. I don't really like all the chemicals either, but the girl at the vet's office said around here the worst time for ticks is about right now, and then once again in the fall, and in the in between times it's not quite as bad. She also said there have been no clinical cases of lyme from around here, so that's good. I know I will be much more vigilant about tick checking from now on.