Wednesday, April 16

Tick Talk


Jake is still holding on. He's able to lift his head and wag his tail, but his legs still don't work. It's been a week today.

Bless his heart, he's fed up. I understand this. It's no picnic doing physical therapy with a 65 pound dog and changing out bedding twice a day. I can just imagine how he feels about it all.

During the course of all this, I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about ticks. I have read things that make me want to live in a bubble--and yes--miss the city somewhat.

I also got a bite from a Lone Star tick last Friday that has created a reaction. I was showering and felt something at the back of my calf. The nasty little bastard had latched on and created an an inflamed area as well. It took tweezers to remove the thing. It was attached as if it had been harpooned into my leg!

I'm guessing my jaunt down to the garden the afternoon before was when he got me. After researching all the fine details, I think I will live. The reaction, while still yucky-looking, is subsiding.

I've spoke with the "specialized veterinary representatives" at Frontline who have educated me further. I was told that typically it took a tick longer than 48 hours to transmit disease. It has something to do with their feeding patterns.

I'm really grossed out by all this tick-talk.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay, so now I feel all itchy.

Anonymous said...

Yuck! Supermum's told me stories about ticks from where she was brought up. Must admit, I'm not sure I could hack life in the country; I do feel for your poor dog, though. And his physiotherapist!

Kathy Rogers said...

Poor Jake. I'm glad the tick didn't take you down, too.

Unknown said...

I had a dog that got very ill after a fight with a racoon... all the muscles on his face tightened up and he couldn't eat. He looked like the joker. His foot was really infected. Eventually he recovered but it took alot out of him. Its sad. I hope he recovers too..its early yet but we get so many ticks.. its horrible. The cats bring them in, they drop on you in the garage and from trees ..yuck.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

You suppose a dung beetle would help bring that tick to an unsound end? I got some to spare....

Anonymous said...

Oh, he does look very gallant though, in his misery. What a sweetheart that boy is. I know what you mean about the ticks - I grew up in the country and used to be unfazed by them but am finding them grosser and grosser as my time in the city goes on...