tick on sheath area

[dilbert]

Frankie had a nasty orange tick on the fatty area around his sheath on Sunday!

It was successfully removed and left a hard gold ball sized lump and general swelling.

I've not called the vet but have been spraying it with tea tree. It seems to be slowly going down. Should I call the vet or is it ok to just monitor for another few days? Are there any other things that I could be doing?

Thanks x

 

[spaniel]

I would phone the vet in the morning and ask him. It may be that you have an infection brewing there and its worth double checking that you arent in an area for blood born diseases.

Im sure it will be fine but ticks suck blood from all manner of species and can cause problems - in people too - so its worth knowing.

Ticks drink until they are gorged but then tend to let go and fall off so if you get the all clear from the vet Id be inclined to leave well alone if you get another one.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Or smother it in vaseline-meant to make them drop off due to suffocation. If you didn't get all of the head out, there may well be infection brewing.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I took a big orange tick off my TB's throat last summer and he came up in a big lump like you've described. I picked off the scab one day and lots of pus came out - even more when I squeezed it!! I kept cleaning it twice a day and it healed fine.

So it could well be that your's has gone septic. Bit of a tricky place to get at unless you have a very laid back pony!! If he lets you squeeze it then brill. If not, get vet out.