[margaritaville]

My dogs do go outside, in my yard and the dog park and I use Parastar, monthly. Bubba just had a tick. It was a deer tick and after being out walking, I have had ticks on me. Since your moms dog has been frontlined the tick may have come into the house on that dog and jumped off. Ticks can be found almost anywhere animals have roamed.

The tick you have discribed doesn't sound like a deer tick to me. It sounds like a female Lone Star Tick.

As for Lyme disease the tick would have had to be on your dog for more than 24hrs. Watch for the "bullseye" rash and symptoms of Lyme. It can also be picked up in blood work but not immediately.

As for Activyl, I have no experience with that and hope someone who has will pop in shortly.