+TeamVilla5 Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I think I've finally seen a deer tick... actually, 3 of them... We found a tiny bunny in the woods that didn't react to us as predators, so we took it home to make sure it was old enough to be on its own (no other siblings, no nest nearby). She did well for almost a week, eating dandelion leaves & blueberries like gangbusters, then had a series of seizures & died Anyway, while holding her during her seizing, I found two TINY ticks crawling on her & one engorging in her ear... now I wonder if she wasn't suffering from Lyme Disease, causing the seizures... Anyway, now I'm paranoid... it's hard enough to find regular black ticks, much less these tiny deer ticks! Anybody else have a similar experience? Happy Caching! Lori V. TeamVilla5 Quote Link to comment
+Frettchen_2006 Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 You could take both the bunny and all it's parasitic buddies to a vet for an accurate identification. Quote Link to comment
+TeamVilla5 Posted April 14, 2006 Author Share Posted April 14, 2006 Yeah, I'm planning to... Warning: The following may really freak someone out.... The bunny is in our freezer in a Ziploc bag, so that we can take it to the vet for ID of the tick in her ear. After that, she gets mailed (along with 3 finches that have been awaiting transport) to GA to be buried by my family in our old pet cemetery! Happy caching! Lori V. TeamVilla5 Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 Here is a page that has pictures of different ticks. Lymenet That site has lots of good information about Lyme disease. Quote Link to comment
+clearpath Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 Maybe the bunny overdosed on Dandilion leaves and Blueberries ... Quote Link to comment
+jeepers2 Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I developed Lyme disease 2 summers ago. Very bad disease & once you got it you got it. That summer was really rough because I felt sick all summer & the antibiotic for it makes you very sensitive to the sun. That was one miserable summer.[/color] Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 I think I've finally seen a deer tick... actually, 3 of them... We found a tiny bunny in the woods that didn't react to us as predators, so we took it home to make sure it was old enough to be on its own (no other siblings, no nest nearby). She did well for almost a week, eating dandelion leaves & blueberries like gangbusters, then had a series of seizures & died Anyway, while holding her during her seizing, I found two TINY ticks crawling on her & one engorging in her ear... now I wonder if she wasn't suffering from Lyme Disease, causing the seizures... Anyway, now I'm paranoid... it's hard enough to find regular black ticks, much less these tiny deer ticks! Anybody else have a similar experience? Ooh. Ah. Hmmm... As somone who contracted Lyme last summer, I am having severe problems mustering any sympathy for a tiny bunny. You froze it?!? Gross! Have you check the federal laws concerning mailing tiny bunnies, recently deceased and possibly infected with a deadly disease, to another state? Seizures are not listed as a symptom for Lyme. Rabbits (or tiny bunnnies) are not listed as a host animal. Deer and back footed mice are. No. I never saw the tick that infected me. It got me near the right shoulder blade. And, they are very small, and hard to see. Have you considered that you may have killed it by removing it from its mother's care? Aren't there laws against this? Quote Link to comment
+Sue Gremlin Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 (edited) Seizures are not listed as a symptom for Lyme. Rabbits (or tiny bunnnies) are not listed as a host animal. Deer and back footed mice are. Rabbits can get antibodies to Lyme disease. There are more hosts, by the way, than deer and mice. Songbirds, several other mammals, etc, can carry and transmit the spirochete through ticks. Deer ticks are the most prevalent, but are not the only vector of the disease. Other tick species can also transmit Lyme disease. Seizures due to meningitis certainly can be caused by Lyme disease, but it's not as common as other symptoms such as lameness, fatigue, and fever. The fact that the wild rabbit seemed tame and allowed you to pick it up indicates that there was something amiss with him already. Lyme disease would not be the first thing I would think of that would cause seizures, and it's not the first disease I would worry about when handling a wild rabbit. Be cautious about doing that in the future, since rabbits can transmit such fun diseases as rabies, tularemia and listeriosis to humans. None of these are something you would want. That being said, I am sorry about your bunny. Edited April 15, 2006 by Sue Gremlin Quote Link to comment
+Kymus Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 I developed Lyme disease 2 summers ago. Very bad disease & once you got it you got it.[/color] Actually, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can cure Lyme Disease as well as other "diseases" that Allopathic medicine says are incurable. Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Tried that . . . the only thing that has helped is antibiotics. With an illness as debilitating as Lyme disease, I wouldn't want anyone to delay proper treatment. Quote Link to comment
+RoyalRed Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 DEFINATELY do not want to screw around with Lyme's. I live in the second worst county for Lyme's incidents in the country. I know of neighborhoods where everyone has had it. Somehow I have been lucky enough not to get it yet although I have picked 7 of thsoe little buggers off of me. Since you can only find them by luck I figure I have had many more on me. I have the most on me while golfing. Figure in the open fairways bounded by high-grass areas they can just ride the wind to their next host. Of course when I in the woods caching I am a walking DEET machine. Figure I will go to my grave either from a severe case of Lyme's or DEET posioning! Quote Link to comment
+Ichabod Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 A few years back I was helping maintain part of the Pacific Crest Trail which has regular traffic of horses and other pack animals. I felt a slight sting just beneath my adams apple, and thought I had brushed up against a thorn or something, a little while later, a felt a small "bump" in that spot and it continued to hurt, so I grabbed it and pulled it out to discover a lovely little tick! Thank goodness it came out whole. Quote Link to comment
+TeamVilla5 Posted April 15, 2006 Author Share Posted April 15, 2006 Ooh. Ah. Hmmm... As somone who contracted Lyme last summer, I am having severe problems mustering any sympathy for a tiny bunny. You froze it?!? Gross! Have you check the federal laws concerning mailing tiny bunnies, recently deceased and possibly infected with a deadly disease, to another state? Seizures are not listed as a symptom for Lyme. Rabbits (or tiny bunnnies) are not listed as a host animal. Deer and back footed mice are. No. I never saw the tick that infected me. It got me near the right shoulder blade. And, they are very small, and hard to see. Have you considered that you may have killed it by removing it from its mother's care? Aren't there laws against this? To answer all your concerns, in order: No sympathy for the rabbit was requested. Yes, I froze it, and one day, I imagine you & I BOTH will be in a freezer or refrigerator. I'm not sure they've written specific laws regarding the mailing of recently OR long-deceased bunnies, although I *DO* know they don't like you to mail *live* ones Although seizures are not listed, neck stiffness/spasms are listed, and her seizures began with horrible unnatural neck spasms. Deer & black footed mice are obviously not the only host animals, or humans would not find them on themselves. Yes, the ticks are very hard to see... these were about 1.5 mm, about the size of the nymphal ticks. No, it was not a consideration, as the bunny was able to eat solid food & defecate on its own (babies still in need of mother's care can do neither, their bellies must be stimulated in order to produce feces). And yes, there are laws. I contacted the proper authorities, the DFW Wildlife Coalition, and I followed their instructions. Happy Caching! Lori V. TeamVilla5 Quote Link to comment
+Adrenalynn Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Sorry for your loss! Now get you and your family, and any other domesticated pets to your doctor and vet as well... The number of tick-bourne diseases is very high, and none of them are terribly pretty. Tularemia is very common tick transmitted disease in rabbits here. The symptoms don't match up, however. To give you an idea - the mortality rate in humans for untreated Tularemia runs about 15%. These really aren't things you want to mess with... Did you take any good photos of your ticks prior to freezing them? I can ID to species just about anywhere in the US, and to sub in the west and midwest at least... Not to be insensitive, but consider leaving wild animals in the wild. There are too many domesticated animals homeless as it is. Consider one of them, prehaps, if you're wanting to bring another pet into the fold... Quote Link to comment
+Kymus Posted April 15, 2006 Share Posted April 15, 2006 Tried that . . . the only thing that has helped is antibiotics. With an illness as debilitating as Lyme disease, I wouldn't want anyone to delay proper treatment. TCM was unable to controll it? That's peculuar since the studies I've seen have shown effectiveness. Whatever works for you I suppose. Quote Link to comment
+TeamVilla5 Posted April 15, 2006 Author Share Posted April 15, 2006 There are too many domesticated animals homeless as it is. Consider one of them, prehaps, if you're wanting to bring another pet into the fold... Adrenalynn, we adopt those as well... although rabbit would have been released, had she lived... the wild ones get rehabbed & released (currently working for full certification as rehabber), the 4 cats & 4 dogs got to stay! Happy Caching! Lori V. TeamVilla5 Quote Link to comment
+ventura_kids Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 we have those big blacklegged ticks along the beaches of the west coast (California). They are usually easy to spot on light colored clothes. I've carried them back in the jeep (not on purpose), and have had them show up in the shower (ick) while scrubbing down after a hike. I think I'll hunt for those easy caches in the mall parking lots...much safer. Quote Link to comment
+Ortisprincess Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 I have found a few ticks while out geocaching in the woodsy areas. Once in Southern Oregon, we came walking out of a cache, and noticed them all over our pant legs and on our arms. I actually had one imbed itself in my back, was apparently there all night, woke up the next day and something hurt. So I walked in the bathroom and ACK!!! My husband came and got it out, but it hurt for days after. I still have a mark where it was. Bunnies are very sensitive anyways, so I wouldn't let ticks keep me from going on nice hikes in the woods. You wouldn't react like a bunny anywho. LOL But I do understand cause I DONT LIKE BUGS and ticks are NASTY little things. Use that spray they have for ticks also. Ortisprincess I guess I could have lime disease. LOL and I joked about it when he pulled the tick out but hey it don't scare me, I already have cancer. So if anything I might kill the ticks. LOL Quote Link to comment
+El Diablo Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 My wife and I look each other over carefully after being in the woods. This can be fun! Anyways, here is my tick story. The tick from hell El Diablo Quote Link to comment
+edscott Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Ticks are just a part of life in SE PA. From now until about Christmas they are out there and looking for blood. I've been lucky to never get Lyme's but lots of people get it around here. I check myself and take a hot shower every time I get back from any outdoor activity. I really think that helps as the Deer Tick is said to take several hours to dig in unlike the regular dog tick which can attach realtively quickly. ..anyway so far so good.. 60 years in the woods and no Lyme's. Quote Link to comment
+Sue Gremlin Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 My wife and I look each other over carefully after being in the woods. This can be fun! Anyways, here is my tick story. The tick from hell El Diablo So now I’m on my way home tick and all, when I get to thinking about it. I’m starting to have irrational thoughts. What if that thing is sucking out my brains? This is going to make me giggle for the rest of the day. Quote Link to comment
+BigWhiteTruck Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Actually, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can cure Lyme Disease as well as other "diseases" that Allopathic medicine says are incurable. Tried that . . . the only thing that has helped is antibiotics. With an illness as debilitating as Lyme disease, I wouldn't want anyone to delay proper treatment. TCM was unable to controll it? That's peculuar since the studies I've seen have shown effectiveness. Whatever works for you I suppose. Are you for real? Quote Link to comment
+Kryten Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 I don't have to find ticks, they seem to find me quite easily. Always check behind your knees, thats where they like to take up residence. Quote Link to comment
+Colorado Cacher Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 That reminds me last year it was April 12th when I found the first one crawling up my leg. I better start paying attention again. Quote Link to comment
+lissie Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 The ticks are out in Nebraska! After poking around in a wildlife area today I have already found three. Even after what I thought was a thorough "tick check", shower and clothes change I just found one already latched on my scalp. I know I will feel things "crawling" all night now! Quote Link to comment
+Hynr Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Having someone close to me go through stage 2 of Lyme Disease has taught me that this is one disease for which every geocacher should know what stage 1 looks like. Being able to recognize the symptoms can save you from incredible misery. My mom, who lives in Germany, contracted this nasty disease a few years ago on a trip. She never bothered with stage 1 because she would never consider those symtoms to be anything to bother with. When stage 1 occurred she figured it was just a cold. When stage 2 set in a few weeks later, she was back in Germany and the medical professionals there did not recognize the disease because it was not common there at the time. She was misdiagnosed and all medications were making things worse. A specialist finally figured out what was going on and then the treatment began. The misery went on for weeks because ultra-high levels of antibiotics had to be used to deal with the bacteria in her spinal column. She was very fortunate that the remedy worked, because from what I have read, stage 3 is about as miserable a thing as one can have. If you want to risk using "traditional" medicine on this disease, then I would caution you that "traditional" progression of this disease is to die with much miserable suffering, while modern medicine works if the disease is diagnosed properly. Quote Link to comment
+Waynelipp Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Try walking through a tick nest looking for a cache in Jersey. I had to wash off 100+ little new born deer ticks. Quote Link to comment
+VeryLost Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can cure Lyme Disease as well as other "diseases" that Allopathic medicine says are incurable. Cites please. And bear in mind that "cure" is not the same as "treat symptoms". I've got nothing at all against TCM and other alternative medicines, but I do like to see objective studies to back up such claims. Quote Link to comment
+VeryLost Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Now get you and your family, and any other domesticated pets to your doctor and vet as well... Specifically, the family members to the doctor, and the pets to the vet. It's kind of important not to get that mixed up! Quote Link to comment
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