by Tiffanie C.
Member since:
August 26, 2006

Tick Bite - Dog

September 15, 2006 01:17 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 14

I had posted something about a lump/bump on my dog. Well, it was definately a tick... he's got the target lesion type thingy. :( Hopefully no lyme disease. I have gotten lyme before and it would be very bad timing right now since I can't take antibiotics for at least another 3 months.

Anyway, I'm concerned about my little dude. Where is the line drawn between just letting it go and giving it time to heal, to bringing him to the vet to get checked out. (please keep in mind we really can't afford to do that right now).

Is there anything I can do for him here at home? Tomorrow I'm going to make him some rice to hopefully bind him up a bit. Not sure what else I can do for him. You can tell he feels like crap :(

 

Comments: 14

Marianne R. Sep 15, 2006, 8:20am UTC
Were you able to remove the tick? They turn white after being on a host for a certain period of time.
Tiffanie C. Sep 15, 2006, 8:48am UTC
Nope, I didn't notice until it was too late :(
I have a Lhasa Apso, so it's hard to see through the fur sometimes. A few years back he had one on his ear that I was able to remove. I think this tick is long gone (and really hoping it didn't get me too) Last time a tick got me and I got Lyme Disease I didn't even notice.
Marianne R. Sep 15, 2006, 9:31am UTC
I have had my fair share of tick bites. Only one ever developed the bullzeye around the bite area. I went to the doctor but tested negative for Lyme.

My mother's shih tzu was bitten by a tick. He was all black and it was too late once it was discovered. He ended up going blind from Lyme.

If your dog is showing signs of sickness, I would bite the bullet and visit a vet.
Tiffanie C. Sep 15, 2006, 9:50am UTC
Thanks Marianne,
What other symptoms should I check for? Are they they same as with humans?
Marianne R. Sep 15, 2006, 11:29am UTC
That I don't know. Usually not eating or drinking normally, being more lathargic are indicators. Some may show no symptoms at all. If only pets could talk, eh? Plus they're so good at masking pain that it is difficult to tell. I do believe there is a blood test a vet can administer to check for the presence of Lyme.
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 15, 2006, 11:56am UTC
I am currently going through this with my dog Rusty. The most important thing is to keep your dog hydrated. My vet gave me something called "Rebound" which is formulated for animals, but he also mentioned Pedialyte, so that may work for your dog (I would call your vet and check). I used a syringe (obviously minus a needle) to squirt the fluids into his mouth. The vet also put Rusty on antibiotics that seem to be helping. If your guy is sick (not eating, has diarrhea, etc) I really would recommend getting him to the vet. Maybe they will work with you and let you pay out the cost.
Angela M. Sep 15, 2006, 2:13pm UTC
oh that is so sad to hear lymes is treated with antibotics and will only get worse with out them. i wonder if you could call a vet tell them the problems and they would just let you buy the antibotics. our vet is good like that but i know he is one in a million. maybe a pet store might have them for dogs i know they have them for birds.

i know how it is to not be able to aford vet bills it seams like they know they have you in a tough spot and want to soak you for all its worth.

i sure hope he feels better soon
Angela M. Sep 15, 2006, 2:16pm UTC
Tonia G. what antibiotics did your vet put your dog on?
Tiffanie C. Sep 15, 2006, 2:50pm UTC
Angela,
Thank you. Yeah it's rough. Actually, he's due for his shots too but I'm trying to put it off until the car gets sold. We would have been okay with $ (tight, but okay) but this year has been full of surprises. First, we probably spent too much on the wedding even though I made many things happen for much cheaper. Then my mother-in-law died, a week later my husband had a heart attack, then of course there have been my health problems and hospital stay. Many more things have happened this year too. IT's just been a rough year. :(
Tiffanie C. Sep 15, 2006, 3:21pm UTC
Thinking about this more, I'm gonna see how he is through the weekend and if he's still not feeling well I'll call the vet on Monday and explain the situation and how I can't really afford a vet visit. Maybe they'll tell me to wait and watch for certain symptoms and then bring him in or not.
Thanks for all the input everyone!
Angela M. Sep 15, 2006, 4:19pm UTC
how big of a dog is he you know you can give him asprin for pain never give motrin or tyenlo http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/lyme.html
has some good information
if he is a dog that is 60lbs+ you can give him a 325 asprin it has to be buffered you give one mixed in food (i use a hotdog cut into a small piece every 12 hours. ive given them to my dogs for different reasons without problems but as with anything animals can have reaction to things just like people so do it at your own risk but the article says they also give them to dogs with lymes
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 15, 2006, 5:44pm UTC
Angela M. - Rusty is on Flagyl - it seems to be working very well. In talking to other people I guess it is a commonly used medication for collitis. The vet did say that if Rusty's problem was a tick borne disease that is very common in older dogs around here (sorry, not sure of the name of it, but it is not Lyme disease) then we would need to treat with a completely different antibiotic, which just highlights how important it is to have bloodwork done before starting treatment.
Jodie P. May 2, 2008, 10:45am UTC
I just do not know sorry !

good luck to you and to your dog.
Jodie P. May 2, 2008, 10:46am UTC
You can put some toothpast on the bite place to try and draw the poision out. Or baking soda may help????

Also cheese may help also.

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