Worried about tick bite

Hi all! Not the first time, but this morning we found a red tick on our 3 year old lab. It was in amongst his thickest fur around his neck. We removed as normal but clearly it had been there some time it was red in colour and and left behind a significant sized rash. He seems fine in himself and is eating and drinking normally. However half an hour ago he did a very big poop (most of which was loose/water/mucus). Could this be a symptom of Lyme disease? Was this just the result of stress removing the tick? Does he need a vet visit? He doesn’t display any other signs at the moment (no lameness, tiredness or lack of appetite).

Hello!  I'll get the easy question out of the way:  a single big poo is unlikely to be a sign of Lymes disease, especially so soon after having a tick.  Ticks can take one to two days to transmit the bacteria which is why so much emphasis is put on rapid removal - bit of course it is hard to know how long it was there before you saw it.  What makes Lyme disease tricky is that it can present in a variety of ways, but a high temperature, swollen joints and lethargy are quite common.   It is important that ticks are fully removed including the mouthparts and carefully disposed of so they do not reattach.   It is also important to consider tick prevention going forward (as if it a tick attached once, one could do again). I'm not sre what the vet procedure to tick exposure is where you are, but perhaps phone triage from your vet would be appropriate.  They may for example discuss the signs to look for more fully and explain at what point they usually elect to give antibiotics.

Hello!  I'll get the easy question out of the way: I think that the tick may be unrelated to the big poo, especially on a short time scale.  Ticks, once attached, can take 1-2 days to transmit bacteria, which is why so much emphasis is placed on rapid removal. It is, however, difficult to know how long a tick has been there when you first find it.  What makes Lyme disease tricky to deal with,is the number of different ways that it can present. A high temperature, sore joints and lethargy can be common.  However, it can be a while before signs are seen.  It is important to ensure that ticks are fully removed (mouthparts included) and that the tick is properly disposed of in order that it doesn't reattach.  It is vital to consider tick control going forward, because if a tick has attached once then it could do again.  I'm not sure where you are in order to comment on your vets' likely procedure following tick exposure, so a phone call for triage (working out the priority) of this case would be a good idea.  They may be able to tell you more about the signs to look for, and it's possible they may, in some situations, elect to give antibiotics.