Mark the date of the tick bite on a calendar. If symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, erlychiosis or Lyme disease develop, you will be able to tell your physician when you were bitten. Save the tick by preserving it in rubbing alcohol. Take it to your County Cooperative Extension Center for identification. These organisms are not harmful to most wild and domestic animals, but they are extremely pathogenic to humans and dogs.
Infection occurs when one is bitten by an infected tick.
In addition, pets may carry an infected tick into the family living area. Fortunately, only a small percentage of ticks are infected. These diseases are treatable with antibiotics. A person exhibiting any of these symptoms 2 to 14 days after a tick bite should consult a physician at once. The organism causing Lyme Disease is transmitted though the bite of an infected tick.