Ticks
 

Okay, I'm starting a new thread because I NEED support! I have never seen ticks in my life till I moved here - apparently they're commonplace out of town (where I live - be careful what you wish for!). I am not handling the presence of ticks very well (not easy to check 3 dogs for ticks when they all have heavy coats). I'm verging on asking for a prescription of Valium!!!!

So this is a place for people to offer sympathies, reassurances and advice (if you're a tick expert). If you want to ask questions of me about my experiences, be prepared for an hysterical answer........

;)

Re: Ticks
 

Ticks are not just in Canada.

When my kids were very young, and I lived in Germany, I found two ticks on my daughter (separate occasions). I was totally grossed out :eek:, but OH managed to get them out okay. :thumbup:

Never had any problems since, not even with dogs, and am hoping it will stay that way.

Good luck!

Re: Ticks
 

Not In Canada yet so not sure whats available - but here in the UK we used to take our dogs up to the Lakes with us walking - we were often walking through fields etc full of sheep poo - prime place for guaranteed ticks - I just used 'frontline' on my dogs and it seemed to do the tick ( ha ha ok i mean trick i know that was sad!!!) Not sure how it works for ticks but i know its stop fleas breeding so probably works in the same way- you can get sprays and powders too that apply instantly to kill any that might be active on the woofy.

Best bet is to ask your vet whats current

Re: Ticks
 

Hi If you use a vaseline type product, smother the tick in it it stops their ability to breath and they die and fall off a dotor told my freind to do this when her daughter got one (need a puky smily)....I bet olive oil would work as it would block there breathing bits (i think theyre similar to gills) too....Good luck

Re: Ticks
 

Hadn't heard that one Tashy :thumbsup: our dogs have had them in the past but we use frontline now and touch wood have no probs

Re: Ticks
 

Hi Esme - our dogs all have tick collars - they work great. But we have had to remove lots of ticks in our time (used to live near the New Forest!).

Always use tweezers to pull the tick off. Don't touch the tick and it's best to wear gloves when you do this. Grab the tick as close to the head as possible and pull the tick gently out. If the head of the tick remains in the skin, try to grab it and remove as much as possible. If you are unable to remove the entire head, don't worry - it's not life threatening. Your pet's immune system will eventually dislodge it.

You can try to suffocate them (we used to use all sorts of things!) but even if they do suffocate they won't fall off (honestly!) so you still have to do the icky bit.

Good luck! J :)

Re: Ticks
 

Thanks for all the suggestions - you guys are awesome. Anyone with non-medicinal (herbal/naturopathic) recommendations?

I manage to have developed a technique for pulling off the 'un-engorged' (flat) ticks but have difficulty when they're bigger. There is some body still lodged in one of my dogs' lip - I've been putting polysporin on it to at least keep the possibility of infection at bay. Is it best to leave it "as is" and let it eventually work its way out? I had difficulty removing that tick even using tweezers as close as I could to the skin.

Re: Ticks
 

out in the new forrest mate of mine popped behind a bush to relieve himself. later on that night noticed a big old tick smiling up at him .:ohmy:
You may of heard the screams in Canada:rofl:

Re: Ticks
 

We used to use a "Flea and Tick" Collar, but I still recall our collie getting a couple of ticks in deepest Sussex. :eek:

Collars can be quite toxic though, especially when you first remove them from the packet. I remember mum used to leave one out in the garage to "air" for a few days before putting it on the dog.

Re: Ticks
 

I will ask a friend who is a vet she has used some alternative treatments on animals, I wonder if Tea tree would do ?

Re: Ticks
 

I use frontline at the moment aswell, best thing on the market for ticks and fleas, may need to get a supply before we move over????!

Re: Ticks
 

Good point do you think that would be okay in the cases ? is it classed as a drug just thinking sniffer dogs ?

Re: Ticks
 

Hi,

To be honest, i'm not a fan of Frontline - it is very good at doing what it is meant to do but why put a chemical into your animals system if they don't have fleas or ticks, as it is recommended to Frontline them every 3 months.

I have used it in the past & may do in the future (2 dogs & 3 cats) but only if one of them has fleas & then i'd do them all at the same time.

For ticks I use a Tick Remover. The 'V' shaped prongs are placed gently round the tick where it has attached its self & then you gently turn it (like you're unscrewing) until the tick comes out - usually still alive.

I always wear gloves & then dispose of it carefully - usually squished in kitchen/loo roll & then in a bag & straight in the wheelie bin.

Re: Ticks
 

I'm not sure:confused:

This is one aspect of the emigration lark I am yet to look into:rofl:

I bet there will a rule about it being classed as drugs in some way, will have to stuff it down the socks;)

Re: Ticks
 

Don't worry Nikki - we had loads of ticks when we lived near the New Forest but absolutely nothing here (well for the last two years anyway) and we do go into the "wilderness" quite a bit ... J :)