Remember to check for ticks after an outing

[cody c]

Friend of a friend in calgary got lyme disease last year from a Tick while hiking through the ghost Valley to a rock climbing spot.

It ain't nothing to scoff at, if you get a Tick and start to feel sick you need to see a doctor, and make sure you get antibiotics till you feel better, she almost got rid of it but the antibiotics prescription was too short in duration, the doctor didn't renew the prescription and now she has it, probably for life.

[buckmasterjr]

Found one crawling on my leg today after hunting.. About the size of the tip of a thumbtack, are they supposed to be out this late in the season or did one just happen to be around? Never ever found one till today, about an hour outside edmonton.

[gallery]

I just happened to stumble on this thread and thought I should pass on my experiences to maybe help someone else out. I shot my early season southern elk and after processing we got it into the cooler. I started to experience flu like symptoms about two days later. They would come and go so I was pretty convinced it was just a flu. I had to leave for home and the flu symptoms continued. About a week later I developed a rash over most of my upper body, time to see a doctor. The first doctor sent me for blood work but nothing conclusive, told me that because my symptoms started so early to the exposure that it couldn't be RMSF told me to come back in a few days. I suffered through the whole weekend and returned to the hospital on Monday and got a different doctor (thank God). He immediately started to treat me for RMSF and did tests in the hospital for the rest of the day. The antibiotics started to work in a couple of days but still took over a week to even get any strength back. I have never felt that sick in my entire life. Conclusion I grew up in that area and never before worried about ticks. We had raid in the truck and never used it and maybe gloves would be a good idea. Doctors are not familiar with this disease so continue to go to emergency until you get results, even the biopsy they took came back inconclusive. Hope this may help someone avoid this desease

[yoteblaster]

What is RMSF? Thks

[Au revoir, Gopher]

Originally Posted by yoteblaster

What is RMSF? Thks

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

ARG

[snroth]

I was walking through some tall grass in zone 204 on Nov. 3 and when I got out I had probably 100 on my one arm, all were just little tiny ones.

[gallery]

exactly rocky mountain spotted fever not something you ever want to get

[graybeard]

Tick time....be careful and always inspect yourself and your pets....

VERY SERIOUS

[graybeard]

Bump

[benamen]

I went for a round out at our 3D range a week ago. Came back and had a bath. Surprise!!!!! Found a tick on my leg but had not attached itself yet.

[russ]

Just went through this thread and noticed there isn't a link to this site

http://canlyme.com/

[CBR]

Great thread. Doing a lot of geological fieldwork in BC in my early 20's I've seen my fair share of ticks. I remember one spot in particular - early June and we were working at the base of a cliff on one section of outcrop. Myself and my field assistant were literally getting covered in ticks almost immediately. We couldn't figure out where they were coming from until we realized they were jumping onto us from above. Needless to say we got out of there in a hurry. I've never experienced anything like that before or since. It was disgusting lol!

One method we found that worked like a charm for getting them off once they have attached themselves (not sure if this works once they are really embedded as we always checked ourselves every night and so found them relatively early) was heating a small needle with a lighter and lifting up the back end of the tick slightly and poking their bellies with the hot needle. Every time we barely had to touch them and they backed out immediately. This ensures that no part of their head/mouth is left behind as can happen if you pull them with tweezers. Just make sure you don't poke yourself!!!

[saskpikeman]

Take this seriously. Lyme disease is no joke. Misdiagnosed it can be a lifelong battle!!!

[tbiddy]

Just got back from 2 weeks camping at Saskatchewan Landing near Kyle SK. Found ticks on myself almost daily. None were attached but they were there. Ended up pulling 3 off on the dog that had attached themselves. 2 were in his ears so you have to look everywhere.

[lolanr]

Thanks for the reminder. I am heading to Sask landing in 10 days!

Originally Posted by tbiddy

Just got back from 2 weeks camping at Saskatchewan Landing near Kyle SK. Found ticks on myself almost daily. None were attached but they were there. Ended up pulling 3 off on the dog that had attached themselves. 2 were in his ears so you have to look everywhere.

[thegunman]

Have had multiple ticks on me this year while scouting for sheep. Managed to get them all before they attached though.

[Faststeel]

Once these things get on you, how long does it take for one to attach its self to you? FS

[drhu22]

edit

[Lornce]

I might have missed it but has anyone mentioned tick removal devices. I carry one my fishing vest so it's handy. The one I have is called a Tickey but there are other good ones.

[graybeard]

Looking like a tick bumper crop this year.....2016....be careful.

[graybeard]

Bump

[fordtruckin]

Dang it! after reading this whole thread I feel like I got something crawling all over me. I freaking despise ticks, always have ever since a kid in Canora, Saskatchewan. Definitely a good thread as I knew about Lyme's disease and RMSF, I did not however know how prevalent it is. I've known 2 people with Lyme's and its not pretty...

[Peter Abelard]

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

And that is not the only case, I know of three other people that were misdiagnosed, some have been told they had MS, yet years later they find out it was Lyme disease.

IT is NOT something to brush off.. Check your kids/spouses regularily.
You never know.

Question: Would you be willing to make a finger to the wind guestimate of the chances of a given tick bite resulting in Lyme? 1/10? 1/100000?

[JB_AOL]

Originally Posted by Peter Abelard

Question: Would you be willing to make a finger to the wind guestimate of the chances of a given tick bite resulting in Lyme? 1/10? 1/100000?

Nope. Wouldn't matter, as my guess would be skewed.

You can question it all you want, but it is ALOT more common than people think. The worst part is, you won't know until much later. So why would you take the chance?

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by Faststeel

Once these things get on you, how long does it take for one to attach its self to you? FS

Once he is on you it is no time before they migrate to the hot spots of your body....arm pits, crotch, ears, cheeks of your bum and begin to burrow in.....

[Diesel_wiesel]

it sure brings a new meaning to that song
I'd like to check you for ticks
don't it ????

[threeforthree]

Took it out of the dogs stomach this week.

[graybeard]

Bump

[dodger]

Originally Posted by threeforthree

Took it out of the dogs stomach this week.

That about made me puke !!

Dodger.

[Jayhad]

I just got back from the Dr. They start my testing tomorrow, I got bit about 3 weeks ago and last Friday on I've been wiped out with flu like symptoms, but no flu... keeping my fingers crossed its giardia

I had no target rash, but my Dr. asked if may have been bit by a tick, so luckily she was on her game.