My puppy has been bitten by a tick! What do i do?
My 7 month old puppy was bitten by a tick yesterday. I noticed he was scratching at the back of his ear a lot, so i went back there to take a look. I found this tick that was in his skin, it was a very large tick. I’m pretty sure it was either a wood tick or a deer tick. I removed the tick with a pair of tweezers, and i made sure that i got everything out. Now its starting to scab over and my pup hasn’t shown any signs of Lyme disease, except for the fact that he isn’t eating as much. He is a small dog so i’m not sure if hes just being a picky eater like he usually is. I’m just wondering if i should clean it with some kind of remedy daily until it gets better?? I’m also worried that because i didn’t clean it with something, that it will get infected. Thanks!
August 13th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I would just wash his ear with warm soap and water. Then put some peroxide on the spot. After that dries put a little neosporin on it and don’t let him lick it.
my 1st-hand experiences
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August 13th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
dont panac…wipe it with antibiotic and forget it..i lived on Long ilsnd for 35 yrs…ticks were a way of life…every week id take 20 to 50 ticks off my dogs… don’t worry
my 1st-hand experiences
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August 13th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
put some alcohol on it and keep getting it. He’ll be fine.
my 1st-hand experiences
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August 14th, 2011 at 1:37 am
Keith,
Dogs & puppies are cursed with the knack of picking up ticks all thru their life. As this was a “very large tick”, I will assume it was a “dog tick” (Dermacentor variabilis) which is rarely known to “carry” Lyme, but more importantly is very inefficient at transfering it to a new host, even if it Is infected. (Was it dark brown?
The ones you have to watch Out for (esp. on yourself) are little black ones known as deer ticks, which often Do carry the Lyme spirochetes (esp. here in the north-east). However it takes typically a day or longer for the disease to transfer (during the time the tick is dug-in & feeding-known as “engorged”).
In your case I wouldn’t sweat it. Just do regular tick checks, wash him with appropriate shampoo if infested w/ ticks & (especially) talk with a local vet regards diseases in your area, if any, that affect puppies.
A late-Lyme survivor & advocate… & previous dog owner
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