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How do the risks of tick-borne diseases compare with the risks of chemical protection? Jasper often picks up ticks and though I remove them as soon as I spot them, it won't always be straight away. I haven't given him any flea or tick treatment for ages, mainly because he thinks I'm trying to give him an injection. But I'll find a way round that if on balance it's better.
He's currently got a tiny tick right on his eyelid I had a few attempts at getting it off, with plenty of bribery, but it's too small to get a grip with the tick remover easily. I'm actually pleased with how much he's tolerating my attempts, but I think I need to wait till it's a bit bigger (& probably tomorrow as OH is out this evening and I need him to help with the distraction). I'd rather leave it there for now, and go slowly, than keep on trying till he decides I'm trying to stick the tick remover in his eye and reacts accordingly.
Hi. Ticks are a problem where I live. The longer a Tick is attached the more likelihood that it's toxic saliva will enter the dog's (or any host animal including humans) bloodstream, and once attached they're buried in deep. Depending on the species, they can kill a small dog in a few days, not from disease but from the toxic crap they inject, so any weakness in a dog's back legs means an emergency trip to the vet. My mother's dog died from a tiny one that wasn't found, until it was too late.
I treat my dog monthly (or fortnightly in peak Tick season) between the shoulder blades with Frontline or Advantix flea&tick treatment. She loves exploring in bushland (under supervision) and so far I've not found a Tick on her, but on me yes a couple. I hate Ticks.
Cheers.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single Sit.
Sorry to hear about your mum's dog, mansbestfriend
When I used to treat him with Frontline, he seemed to pick up just as many ticks - it didn't seem to stop them latching on at all. I'm not sure how long it took for the treatment to kill them, but some I didn't find till they were pretty big. Which makes me wonder how much protection it gives in the first place
The chemicals don't act until the tick bites the dog.
The risk needs to be seen in proportion. Lymes is very nasty and more to the point, very difficult to diagnose - first tests come back negative so often that vets and Drs in the know prescribe ABs anyway, but the less aware are likely go with the negative diagnosis. However constant toxic chemical application has its risks too.
JudyN you are IMO doing exactly right in leaving Jasper's eyelid tick to drop off if it isn't loose once inflated. You can't afford to undo all your good work for one tick.
A degree of repelling can be achieved by feeding a supplement such as Dorwest's garlic and fenugreek, which I use all year round, but some ticks will still attach.
Sorry about your Mother's dog, MBF.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
It's still so tiny this morning that I can barely see it I will need to find a magnifying glass to convince myself it really is a tick - but if it is, as it's not got bigger presumably it's dead.
I had another go with the tick remover this morning. I didn't manage to get a grip on it at all but Jasper was being really good and tolerant As you say, Nettle, I really don't want to undo all that trust. Obviously I'll keep an eye on it for infection, swelling, etc.
Grrr, I still can't get the little blighter out - and I think I saw its legs move today so it's still alive, even though it's not swelling enough to get a decent grip on it Jasper is still being very good but I'm not going to push my luck, and of course he can't help but blink at the critical moment. Any more suggestions are very welcome - along with advice on whether I should start worrying, and whether it's worth putting Frontline on now.
On a positive note, I may have just accidentally trained him to rub his eye with his paw when I say 'That tickles a bit, doesn't it?' Which is a nice party trick even if it doesn't help with the tick
I've read that if you try the Vaseline method the tick will regurgitate its stomach contents into the dog as it dies. I'll have one more go with the tick remover this morning and if no joy, I'll get some Frontline (I have some, but it's probably waaaaaay past its use-by date). It's hard to believe I'll have more problems applying that than sticking a tick remover practically in his eye
Can't believe some websites are suggesting you apply vinegar or soap for a tick on the eyelid
What happens with the vaseline, butter etc. is that it stops the tick breathing - they breathe through their abdomens - and so they back out. I've used these methods a lot. Whether or not they regurgitate I cannot say, but I've never had any problems* in generations of tick/dog interface. Mostly I just pull the ticks off and dab lavender oil on the place they were, but my dogs are a lot more handle-able than Jas.
*Suppose I will now I've said it
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
I took him over to the pet shop to get some Frontline but had a chat with the owner first... talked her into seeing if she could get it out with my tick remover, talked Jasper into letting her have a go, and she managed it! it must be some combination of confidence, experience, having me to distract him with sausage, being distracted by all the food & treats in the shop... maybe even better eyesight
I used to carry him over to the pet shop for socialisation before he'd had his injections, so he loves her and loves the shop.
BTW, she had advised wrapping Elastoplast round the end of the tweezers, dipping them in boiling water, gripping the tick with them and holding so the heat would make it loosen its grip, then tugging... I really didn't fancy putting something that hot near his eye!
Don't use heat or anything to make them back out or loosen. This causes them to regurgitate so they can "escape". This isn't a problem by itself but if they are carrying someting you increase the risk of infection. And same with the suffocation methods, they regurgitate. We did learn about this in my medical veterinary entomology class. In the case of Lyme disease if the tick is removed properly in the first 24 hours there is little chance of getting Lyme disease.
I had a few attempts at getting it off, with plenty of bribery, but it's too small to get a grip with the tick remover easily. I'm actually pleased with how much he's tolerating my attempts, but I think I need to wait till it's a bit bigger (& probably tomorrow as OH is out this evening and I need him to help with the distraction). I'd rather leave it there for now, and go slowly, than keep on trying till he decides I'm trying to stick the tick remover in his eye and reacts accordingly.
As you say, Nettle, I really don't want to undo all that trust. Obviously I'll keep an eye on it for infection, swelling, etc.
Jasper is still being very good but I'm not going to push my luck, and of course he can't help but blink at the critical moment. Any more suggestions are very welcome - along with advice on whether I should start worrying, and whether it's worth putting Frontline on now. 
