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.HOW TO REMOVE ATTACHED TICKS
Prompt removal of ticks decreases the chances of getting Lyme disease. The proper and easiest method is to grasp the tick with fine tweezers, as near the skin as you can, and gently pull it straight out. Be careful not to squeeze the tick when removing it which could result in more bacteria being injected. Do not try to remove the tick with your fingers or attempt to remove with lighted cigarettes, matches, nail polish, or vaseline. Once removed save the tick for identification. Accurate identification becomes very important if you or your animals develop disease symptoms. Proof of tick bite and the kind of tick doing the biting is especially important to document in areas where Lyme disease is not considered prevalent and doctor suspicion is low. In most areas, ticks can be submitted for identification through local or state health department offices. Many physicians and veterinarians will also submit ticks. Put the tick in a tightly closed container with a small amount of alcohol (rubbing alcohol will do). Mark it with your name, address and phone number, date collected, host collected from (animal or man) and recent travel history.
NOTES
The diagnosis of Lyme disease must generally be made on the basis of clinical signs and by ruling out other possible diseases. Animal ownership does not directly increase a person's risk of Lyme disease. However, allowing your animals to roam in tick habitat or venturing into tick habitat with your animals does increase your risk of exposure to ticks. Lyme disease is not considered to be contagious between people or directly from animals to man. Although some deaths have been attributed to Lyme disease, it is not generally considered to be fatal. Once an animal or person has apparently recovered from the disease it appears to be possible to be reinfected. Blood testing is available for animals and man. A positive test can be diagnostic when appropriate symptoms are present. However, it is possible to have a negative test during the course of the disease or following antibiotic therapy and still have Lyme disease. A negative test following treatment does not indicate cure. Miscarriage, premature births, still births, birth defects and transplacental infection of the fetus have been reported in animals and man. Vaccination for dogs is now available. Consult your veterinarian for advice about your dog's need for vaccination. A vaccine for people appears to be several years away. ..to start reading this and the other useful articles from the beginning please click on here...
