Tick count upto 18

while in Luxembourg for 6 days 12 ticks were removed, we are back since wednesday and in the meanwhile another 6 ticks have been discovered. So that totals 18 ticks of which 16 were removed from the dogs and 2 from my leg. Those two ticks were disturbingly way up high on my leg and I dont wear hotpants while hiking, I'm just not that kinda person :P

The dogs were both sprayed with Frontline in June, its has to be reapplied every 3 months, but apparently thats assuming they dont get washed, rinced, rained upon, dont roll in dust/mud, walking thru puddles or wet grass.
Next time we go into possible tick areas, the dogs will get sprayed again as a precaution.


The way I remove them is with a special pair of tweezers, the type that when squeezed it opens rather then closes so that when you grab the tick only minimal pressure is applied as not to make the tick panic and inject its deseased salivar. If its big enough you can use thumb and indexfinger but DO NOT SQUEEZE HARD or you'll make the tick panic and it will inject its deseased salivar into the wound.
Then while gently twisting the tweezer counterclockwise I retract the tick, put it on a clear sheat of paper or white tissue to examine it to make sure all the bits of the mouth have been removed from the host.
Next I apply an antibiotic/antibacterial balm on the wound I, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Next I fold the tissue over 2 times and squash the tick. These suckers are tuff, they require a strong hit, you'll see blood spatters in the tissue.
If its a big, mature grey one which has been feeding for a while I also burn the tissue and the tick, just to be on the safe side.
NEVER EVER squash the tick if it is not contained in a tissue or plastic, the blood is deseased and I'm told the mature ones with the big grey backside contain eggs, so I have been told.

Also have a look at http://www.dogsandticks.com/

If a tick does get to go thru the entire cycle and you have a nasty, infecting bite, get to a doctor, tell him when you noticed the bite and you will get a heavy dose of antibiotics. On one occassion the doc prescribed me 1gram (1000mg) of peniciline twice a day for 4 days.

Tick Removal

If a tick is detected that is attached, never attempt to place any chemical such as methylated spirits onto the tick, nor should it be touched or disturbed, as the tick will inject saliva into the skin, which could make the situation worse. Rather the tick should be sprayed with an aerosol insect repellent preferably containing pyrethrin or a pyrethroid (if a repellent cannot be found which contains a pyrethroid, then Lyclear, a scabies cream containing permethrin will work fine). The combination of hydrocarbons and the pyrethrin acts as a narcotic and a toxicant, and prevents the tick from injecting its saliva. The tick should be sprayed again one minute later (or dabbed with the Lyclear) and left. After 24 hours it should drop off naturally or be gently removed with fine-tipped forceps. It is normal for a tick bite to remain slightly itchy for several weeks, however if other symptoms develop, then a doctor should be consulted immediately.

source http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/ticks.htm