Hi

I had never heard of Lyme disease or deer ticks until very recently having just moved to the west coast of Scotland. After reading about it Im starting to freak out a lot and am really concerned as there are deer and sheep and other livestock everywhere where I stay (I stay in the country) When I take Jake for a walk I have to walk through a couple of fields, and areas with lots of Bracken and livestock and nearly always see deer. Can anyone who stay in deer / lyme / deer tick hotspots give me some guidance and / or reassurance.

I would never be able to forgive myself if Jake gets bitten and gets something like Lyme. ANd what makes it even more scary as the nymphs can pass on Lyme and they are so ridiculously small how the hell are you meant to find them or get them out safely for that matter (the tick remover my vet gave me looks too big for something the size of this full stop . !! )

Every dog walker I speak to has either never heard of Lyme or think it is incredibly rare yet lots of peoples dogs seem to have joint and arthritis probs even at a young age which makes me think that this could be Lyme as it seems that it can be hard to detect. Just dont know what to believe and am dreading my first spring and summer.

:s cared:

Not every tick carries Lyme disease.

However, these ticks can be very small and you may not notice them so it is important to remove them as you find them because the tick will transmit Lyme disease within 36-48 hours.

When removing the tick make sure you don't squeeze the body as this will force bacteria back into the wound. You have to remove them with tweezers and make sure you get the head and legs out. Then wash the wound with anitbacterial soap and then rub some antibiotic cream. Keep the wound uncovered and watch out for a rash.

You can keep the tick (don't squash it though) in case a rash develops - the tick can then be tested.

Make sure you wash your hands and everything you have used so as not to spread anything.

That's the ticks - has anyone told you about the clegs and midgies in the highlands?

Sorry meant to say you can pick up ticks from sitting on logs or standing up against a tree not just from walking through grassy areas etc.

I know of one dog that died of Lymes Disease and a friend of mine was very ill with it.

Look here for full factual information on it. One of the best ways to avoid tick issues with dogs are Scalibor collars.


BADA is an excellent source of data

Index: Pet Diseases: BADA-UK

thanks for the info much appreciated,when you say keep the tick how do you do this and does it need to stay alive

Never heard of a cleg but am aware of midges but was most concerned with the ticks as deer are everywhere here and was very worried about Lyme.

Ticks are very common but Lyme's disease is rare so I wouldn't worry yourself over it too much. My parent's dog pretty much gets a new tick every time he goes out walking in the summer and I have had a few myself (not related to the dogs) and we are both still going strong!

I think doctors advise that if you get a tick you should remove it, put it in a plastic bag and keep it in the freezer in case any symptoms do develop but I think this is just them being very cautious. If you do remove ticks from yourself or your dog though make sure you do it properly because if you squeeze them too hard or leave the head it you could give yourself (or your dog) a bad infection.

there is vaccine against lyme in france. it is not available in gb as far as i knew last year. howeer, seems to me, if the vaccine could be bought any nurse could vacciate dogs against this

it mighbe be rare this disease but humans get it too and there is no vaccine for humans and the illness recurrs once you have had it...landscape gardners, people working outside in forests etc get it most.

i vaccinate my dog in france against this disease. ticks removal is fine if you spot it in time. long haired dogs like mine...even though i brush and check therefore most days...easisly missed i say.

i wonder if there is anywhere on the web that sells dog vaccines ? just a thought.

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"me and you and a dog named not BOO but BLACK FAIRY...travelling and a living off the land ! great song that !"

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Set_Nights answered the bit about keeping the tick. Clegs are really horse flies and they give you a nasty bite. I hate them.

As someone said, ticks are very common. Easily removed with the little tick remover.
Use a tick and flea med every month during the summer, and this helps keep them at bay.

We tend to use Advantix which I get from the vet, and the only time we pick up ticks, is when he is due his monthly dose.

I take them off me more than the dog!

Lymes has been very common this year though, and I know of several people who have contracted it

I have lived in the West Highlands for all my life, my dogs have picked up ticks, yes, but honestly, none have ever been affected by them. No problems at all.

As long as you keep up to date on tick preventatives during Spring, Summer and Autumn (I don't during Winter personally), and have a good tick picker, then you should be OK.

Where did you move to? Nice to see someone else in the Highlands.

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Sorry don't stay in the highlands but in Strathblane, hopefully going to get up to the highlands in the summer though.