This last weekend we were out working on our hunting property. I always give my self a good once over when returning, and more times than not I find a tick.

This last time I thought I got lucky, but apparently not. On Sunday we were at the property, today I found this little guy. I had always heard if you get them off in a few hours, no harm done. But this guy has likely been there for several days.

What to do? Do I need to go get setup on antibiotics? I just pulled him off today, so I am assuming something needs to be done quick.

Thank you!

Yep,pic is tiny

quote:

Originally posted by 45 Cal:
Yep,pic is tiny

Yeah I saw how massive it was once I uploaded, trying to resize in Imagur. I was used to Photobucket, now I have to learn all over again.

Looks like a standard wood tick to me.

Yes, he's hungry.

So if it is a deer tick, that has been feeding for the last 3 days, what do I need to do?

See information from Orkin at the link. Don't think it's a "Deer Tick" Wrong colored legs.

Deer Tick

Doesn't really matter what kind of tick. They all have various diseases that they can pass on to you. I usually just watch the bite location for a rash. If you see a rash or have an otherwise unexplained fever - go get antibiotics.

Some folks will just go get the antibiotics anyway, but that seems like overkill.

If you tell your doc about it they may just call in an antibiotic prescription for you, or they may want to see you then give you an antibiotic prescription.

This is what mine has done in the past as a "precaution".

As others have said I don't think it's a deer tick, I also wonder if he was on you all that time, as he doesn't look like he's fed.

Prophylaxis with Single-Dose Doxycycline for the Prevention of Lyme ...
This randomized, controlled trial shows that antimicrobial prophylaxis with a single 200-mg dose of doxycycline, given after a recognized bite from an I. scapularis tick, is highly effective in preventing the development of Lyme disease.Jul 12, 2001

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200107123450201

quote:

Originally posted by ubelongoutside:
If you tell your doc about it they may just call in an antibiotic prescription for you, or they may want to see you then give you an antibiotic prescription.

This is what mine has done in the past as a "precaution".

As others have said I don't think it's a deer tick, I also wonder if he was on you all that time, as he doesn't look like he's fed.

He did not look very big, freshly pulled in the picture but his head was definitely buried.

I checked myself on Sunday when I got back but on the Saturday before I mowed the yard and ended up with a few rocks to the leg. I could have easily assumed it was a small nick/scab from yard work.

Here is another link with some comparisons Deer vs Dog.

Deer Tick v. Dog Tick

Put the tick in a medicine bottle and show him to the doctor, if you had that filthy creature feeding on you. (The tick, not the doctor)

Lyme, Erlichia and other tick borne diseases are not to be trifled with.

quote:

Originally posted by SBrooks:
Some folks will just go get the antibiotics anyway, but that seems like overkill.

Yes, that is definitely overkill. I get 15 -20 tick bites a year, just watch them for skin reactions and then react accordingly.

Well I called the doctor to see if he could just get me antibiotics, I would rather be safe than sorry. Unfortunately for me, he wants to see me at 8:30 tomorrow morning with the tick in hand. He said he would not prescribe anything without seeing me in person.

I have had tons of tick bites over the years, but I always find them within a few hours. I am just assuming this one was there for the last few days as that was when I was cutting tree limbs and cleaning out the shed at our hunting property.

I put tea tree oil on the bite to kill any bad guys. The oil must suffocate them and then they usually just fall off.

Ticks now are carrying Babesia. It is hard to find unless you are doing a blood test especially to find that.
Have any symptoms? Fatigue, sore throat, joints ache or coughing? You may have gotten a parasite from it?

Looks like male wood tick. Definitely not a deer tick.

Be very careful with tick bites, Lyme isn't the only thing to worry about, a nurse that I knojust told me that her husband got a tick bite and now he is allergic to red meat, rash, difficulty breathing, has to use a epi-pen or haul ass to the emergency room for treatment. I would go to the doctor get a antibiotic and nip it in the bud.

YES IT'S A TICK YOU'RE GOING TO DIE