Tic bite and big swelling - advice please

[Jericho]

Mare had a big swollen tick under her dock, got the tick off with special tool (it came out whole) and applied bacterial cream. All fine, no swelling etc. Gelding came in and when picking out his front feet he had a big tick clinging on right at the top of his foreleg on the inside and with it a big swelling about a hands width and an inch or so deep. Again, took the tick out whole with tool and applied cream but there is much more of a bite hole with a tiny amount of blood coming out. Applied a hot compress for a while to draw yuk out and applied antibacterial cream but a few hours on there hasnt been much change. Have turned him back out hoping some movement and coolness of night air will help reduce swelling.

Any advice as to what I should have done/ should be doing? Obviously if it starts weeping, looking very bad I'll get the vet out as that means its gone septic I guess?? Is swelling that normal with a tickbite? and any advice on how to prevent ticks in the future (new house/fields and this is a new one on me!)

 

[YasandCrystal]

The only advice I would give you is to treat tics very seriously for your own health as they can carry lymes disease, which I believe is virtually incurable. i know a family blighted with this dreadful disease and it can be very serious. As for horses getting tics, I would consult your vet. I know Frontline spray kills tics; your vet may be able to advise of a spray you can use to deter them.