I pulled an engorged tick off of my 3 year old niece today. It was in her armpit. I'm not sure if it was a dog tick or an engorged deer tick.
Is Igennex the best lab to send ticks to? I don't know if there are any local labs in my area.
My LLMD's office manager was less than helpful since they don't see children in their practice. She wouldn't even give me basic info.
Any advice?
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Post in Seeking ASAP for pediatric LLMD or LLND.
Even if she is fine, it might be good to have a few names in your tool bag for future.
Tick testing is just as poor as human testing.
Yes Igenex takes ticks. They have instructions on their website.
So should the government, but it has to be removed and submitted by a physician. (at least in Canada).
Good luck. Hope you find a kid friendly. Doc in your area.
If you are near Ontario, there is an ND who trained under Dr. J, the kids doc.
Let me know, I will send you the info.
Posted by KH111 (Member # 25829) on :
Don't waste your time or money on getting the tick tested.
I saved the tick that bit my son and had it tested at Igenex for lyme and all co-infections. It came back negative. My son had a bulls eye rash and had mild symptoms. We got him to a dr early on and was positive for lyme at Labcorp. Later when we got him to an LLMD he was tested at both Labcorp and IGenex. On the Labcorp he was positive for lyme and negative for co-infections. On IGenex he was poditive for lyme and bartonella.
To summarize, have your niece tested at Igenex. And in the mean time, get her on Amoxicillin. Just go to a walk in clinic, tell them about the attached tick and ask for abx. Do this as many times as you can until you can get her to an LLMD. Call as many LLMD offices as you can and be asked to be put in cancellation list.
I wish your family all the best.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Don't know where you are (just "USA" displayed there), but if you're in a Lyme-endemic area- where most Ixodes ticks are infected with Lyme (nearly all of the Northeast now, for example)... AND it *could* have been a deer tick (they're smaller & black, rather than brownish), it's best to err on the safe side & have one of her *parents* INSIST on putting this young girl on [liquid] amoxicillun for atleast 28 days.
However, this can often be tricky as the attitude of her parents may not be so friendly towards You regards treatment recommends for THEIR daughter. (I've seen it before!)
Posted by Gratitude (Member # 31314) on :
Thanks so much guys.
We are in an endemic area (Northern VA).
I do think its a deer tick. :/
I encouraged my sister to call my niece's pediatrician to see if he will prescribe amoxicillin right away. Some Drs are starting to do that around here. Though I doubt he will prescribe a 28 day course. We'll see.
I don't know of any pediatric LLMDs in this area but I don't think my sister would agree to take my niece to one anyway.
I'll see my sister tomorrow... I hope to convey the seriousness of getting on antibiotics.