ticks

[nightshade]

The Quantocks are having a bumper tick year,the mild weather means their numbers have not reduced and they are HUNGRY

[Kayleigh]

I have removed 4 ticks from my dog in the last two weeks. Its time for more frontline. I have a V shaped steel tick remover that works really well. I have to check the head has been removed as well then, kill the tick before it attaches to someone els. Horrid little things.

[IanS]

I was in a local wood recently photographing early purple orchids and happened to look at my arm where one of the little blighters was merrily wandering upwards! Needless to say he didnt say there for long!

[overgrownbramble]

Just read this thread, and I itch now ! eeeuuuw

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by nightshade

The Quantocks are having a bumper tick year,the mild weather means their numbers have not reduced and they are HUNGRY

Saw this on local news, numbers are up by loads and 1 in 4 carry Lymes disease. Judging by the symptoms; confusion, lack of energy etc I've been suffering for years

[rlchew]

Some interesting information and advice here ....

Warning as tick diseases on rise

Richard

[creepycrawly]

Our dog always picks up loads of ticks and we always struggle to remove them as she would never keep still. An expensive trip to the vet used to be our only option until we searched on the internet and found the tick remover lasso!

This device is so good it only takes seconds to remove the tick and it has worked every time so far (4 ticks so far - one of which was tiny). The manufacturer also claims it can be used on humans but luckily we haven't tried that yet!

Have a search on ebay, that is where we bought ours, or alternatively there is a UK distributor Tick Remover - Trix Tick Lasso Remover - UK Distributor - Tick Removal

The device you need is the Trix product with a green tip. A friend bought a cheap chinese copy and it was as good as useless!

[Dogghound]

It sounds disgusting but i have picked up a fair few ticks over the years in deer areas, never had a problem, think im just a tick magnet lol.

[werdnal]

Just found this post searching for info on Lyme. My cat suddenly became ill last week. He's been on treatment for thyroid problems for month or so and was doing well. Suddenly he stopped eating anything and is sleeping all the time. Vet thought it was bad reaction to his medication. He's been in every day this week on a drip to keep him hydrated, but she says by Friday we must make a decision if we are making any progress.

Suddenly remembered this evening he had a tick on him recently. I didn't notice it at first, thinking he'd been fighting as it was beside his nose - a usual spot for a scratch! By the time I realised what it was must have been on him for several days. Treated him with Frontline and 2 days later it was drowsy enough to take it off. Just looked up symptoms of Lyme in cats and they include lethargy and loss of appetite. Apparently ticks associated with deer carry the most risk, and we have a couple of Roe who moved into our area earlier this year and he goes rabbit hunting in the field they have been seen in.

I may be clutching at straws, but will ring vet tomorrow with my latest theory. Keep your fingers crossed I might just be on to something. Anyone know how common Lyme is in Cornwall or have any experience of animals contracting it?