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Son had a tick on him! What do you use on dogs?

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Posted 2/27/2017 9:29 AM (GMT -5)
My son was playing in the yard with our dog and had a tick on him. I almost lost it.

Luckily it was not affixed at all. It was on his clothing. Because we have had so much snow I let him play when he has bursts of energy. It then turned unseasonably warm for a few days.

We put treatment on our dog but I want some kind of collar as well.

Any suggestions?

Not sure if ticks are coming from the dog, who is outside a lot more than our son, or it got on my son that quickly.

Thanks.
Posted 2/27/2017 9:38 AM (GMT -5)
It will be hard to know where your son picked up the tick - from the dog or on his own just playing outside. There really is no 'safe time' to not be concerned about ticks, unfortunately.

As for what to use on the dog - you will either have to try some out, or talk to your neighbors to see what's working for them. We've had to switch treatments that we use around a few times because they loose their effectiveness. We started with Frontline, when that quite working, we went to Trifexis, and now we are using Nexgard.
Posted 2/27/2017 9:44 AM (GMT -5)
My son just came to me worried about a bite on the back of his neck.

Don’t know if it is from a tick or a mosquito. No bug and it looks like he scratched it.

Looks like it could be a mosquito bite. It is February in NYC. He got it over weekend.

What do I do? Freaking out.
Posted 2/27/2017 9:49 AM (GMT -5)
Trav,

Thank you. We put Advantix 9 and a friend just told me about Saresto as a good collar option.

But now I'm the most freaked out about the bite. What should I do?
Posted 2/27/2017 9:53 AM (GMT -5)
Just keep an eye on him and try and relax. My girlfriend has been bit by a million ticks and never gotten sick. I on the other hand can not remember being bitten by a single one and here I am. We are still the minority in the grand scheme of things and I think you've done what you can at this point. If he starts to get sick you'll know that you have the edge of early detection and important information to prevent it from being a serious issue that you probably didn't have when you got sick
Posted 2/27/2017 9:58 AM (GMT -5)
Psil,

Thanks. But I am freaking out. He already has late stage Lyme. This will be a reinfection.

He was just starting to feel a teeny-tiny bit better. He is home for the year healing this with the hopes of returning to school next year.

A reinfection will be a disaster.
Posted 2/27/2017 10:01 AM (GMT -5)
I agree with Psilociraptor. All you really can do is watch him for now. Hopefully what he is taking now will be helpful.

Sorry Huddie. I know this has to really be worrying you. Just remember that the worrying will hurt you more than anything.
Posted 2/27/2017 10:05 AM (GMT -5)
Actually, since he's in treatment now, a reinfection won't be nearly as big of an issue as you may think. When I would get a tick attach that (obviously) was carrying infections, my symptoms would rise a bit, then settle back down - because I was already in treatment.

Watch for signs of different infections that may have been passed, but do not freak out. It's not going to do you any good either.
Posted 2/27/2017 10:06 AM (GMT -5)
Trav, I sent you a photo of Will's bite. I'm hoping you may know if it looks tick or mosquito.

Peteza,

Thank you. I know worrying doesn't help, but worried I am!

Will call LLMD now and send him photo as well. He doesn't get in until afternoon though.

Thanks.
Posted 2/27/2017 10:09 AM (GMT -5)
Huddie, it just looks like an insect bite is all - or maybe that he had a small raised bump on his skin that itched - I get those when my skin really gets into the detoxing too.

Hang in there, Huddie. I know you will worry, but keep it at low key. There really isn't anything that you can or should do - he's in treatment, so just see if he develops any more symptoms for more than a few days.

If he gets a few more symptoms, or his current symptoms spike a bit, just note it and be sure to tell his LLMD. It doesn't mean you should change his treatment or do anything else yet though.

The waiting is the worst!
Posted 2/27/2017 10:13 AM (GMT -5)
Trav,

THANK YOU!Should I try to get Doxcy? Or not do that yet?

Right now he is ONLY on Augmentin. He is tolerating it so well and his appetite has finally increased and he is eating. He is also on two Jernigan herbs.

I know mono-therapy doesn't always work but I'm hoping the herbs balance that out.

We are supposed to travel Saturday and will be in the sun...

Thank you!
Posted 2/27/2017 10:17 AM (GMT -5)
No, don't get the Doxy. You don't know that it's a bite from an insect that was even carrying these infections. And, as you know, I'm not so good with the abx, but doesn't Augmentin treat Lyme?

It's just a waiting game at this point. IF he has symptoms that increase, you have to wait to see if it's just a couple of days of increased symptoms or not. If those increased symptoms last for more than 3 or 4 days, then it's time to look into what he may need. It's likely that he won't need anything though. As I said, you don't know if what bit him was even carrying infections yet.
Posted 2/27/2017 12:21 PM (GMT -5)
Ah my bad Huddie!! Didn't realize he already had Lyme. I agree with what Travelers saying. If you're already treating him thoroughly i think the risk of getting more is less. When i wasn't treating i got a cat scratch that left me with some lumps that looked like the beginning of a bartonella infection. I freaked out really bad but nothing came of it. I mean it's hard to be too careful, but it's easy to worry too much. I know it's little consolation but we all go through this from time to time and i think in a few weeks you'll be looking back on this with a sigh of relief.
Posted 2/27/2017 12:26 PM (GMT -5)
Yes Augmentin treats Lyme (amoxy + clavulanic acid)
Posted 2/27/2017 12:37 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the clarification, Girlie!!! I'm never sure that I'm right on the abx!
Posted 2/27/2017 12:56 PM (GMT -5)
I give the dogs Nexguard chewable.
Posted 2/27/2017 3:08 PM (GMT -5)
You need to check to make sure you can treat with a topical and then also use a flea collar at the same time. I am not sure they can be used together (might be too much at once). Maybe use those treatments in the yard to kill ticks? Seven I think is one? It kills the ticks.
Posted 2/27/2017 3:43 PM (GMT -5)
I agree - the tick collar and topical or chewable tick treatments may overdose the dog/cat.

I use Ortho's Bug-B-Gone on my yard.

Of course the other thing to remember is that these products do NOT prevent the ticks from transmitting infections to the animal, but lessens the possibility. One of my dogs has had Lyme 3 times now, even though we were faithfully using the topical treatments or chewable treatments at the time.
Posted 2/27/2017 4:11 PM (GMT -5)
From me being involved in the pet industry so long, I had learned to avoid the treated plastic collars. They can be unsafe to the dog's health and well being.

and I know some will say they used them for years with no problems.
I advise against otc treatments as well.
Posted 2/27/2017 4:46 PM (GMT -5)
July, if you're concerned with health why did you settle on the nexguard? I'm not doubting it i'm genuinely curious because my SO and i have been trying to figure out for a long time how to treat them for ticks without giving them cancer lol
Posted 2/27/2017 4:59 PM (GMT -5)
Because this is my outside male Cocker Spaniel with long thick coat and who loves to roll in dirt, leaves, what ever is available. Topical organic sprays that I tried were useless, and I had seen immunity from the chemical topicals you 'spot' on to their backs.

I discussed it with my Vet, and it was that or the other new chewable that lasts 3 mos., and quite a bit pricier for me at the time. I had gone into his yard and came out covered with little ticks and panicked. I took him out of the yard so that we could mow it and treat it all over with DE., and I kept him in his crate for observation for a couple of days.

He was one of the 96% that didn't get a bad reaction. We decided to also treat our two inside dogs with it too.
Posted 2/27/2017 5:00 PM (GMT -5)
I would put a bee on it on your son but if you dont have that oil of oregano(diluted) on his neck...dogs probably got it already so wouldnt worry
Posted 2/27/2017 5:26 PM (GMT -5)
Do not put oil of oregano on broken skin!! It burns beyond belief, believe me, I've used it that way. I'd rather have a 3rd degree burn from a stove/oven than do that again - unless my life/health seriously depended on it again.

It's never wise to not treat our pets, especially if they come indoors at all. But even if they don't, would you want your dog to have significant health issues? A good vet knows when to suspect Lyme in dogs and in cats.
Posted 2/27/2017 5:57 PM (GMT -5)
I wouldn't do collar either. Wouldn't want you or your son touching the chemicals.
Posted 2/27/2017 7:43 PM (GMT -5)

Traveler said...
Do not put oil of oregano on broken skin!! It burns beyond belief, believe me, I've used it that way. I'd rather have a 3rd degree burn from a stove/oven than do that again - unless my life/health seriously depended on it again.

It's never wise to not treat our pets, especially if they come indoors at all. But even if they don't, would you want your dog to have significant health issues? A good vet knows when to suspect Lyme in dogs and in cats.

I mentioned diluted (with carrier oil)yes it burns ...burns the infection too...sorry huddie ..amox should cover it
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