CANINE LYME DISEASE

By Sunday, May 7, 2017 18 No tags Permalink

Canine Lyme Disease is a growing concern to veterinarians, as well as pet parents all across the country, because geographical areas who once need not worry – now should.

The disease (in humans) originates from infected ticks and was discovered in 1975 in Old “Lyme” Connecticut.

In dogs, it was identified in 1984 (same location) and seems to have increased as rapidly as with humans.

WORST TICK SEASON IN YEARS –

Earlier this week I read that this could be the “worst tick season in years” #shutthedoodledoor 

CANINE LYME DISEASE

Experts are saying –

warmer winters caused by climate change are allowing ticks to expand into new regions of the U.S. Source: Huffington Post

Climates are warmer in northern regions more than ever before, and Lyme disease is spreading dramatically.

While studies still have no evidence that dogs or cats with Lyme disease are contagious to humans, your pet can bring an infected tick into your home. The thought makes me itchy all over.

TICKS – WHAT TO KNOW –

  • they have four pairs of legs and no antennae.
  • they are the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach firmly when sucking blood, and feed slowly.
  • the black legged tick (or deer tick) is the transmitter for canine and human Lyme disease.

TICKS – WHAT TO DO –

First let me say this –

there is no one plan to will fit every situation. but I implore you to sit down with your vet, research your region and find out what’s lurking in your neck of the woods. Make a decision that is right for your pet, acceptable to your vet, and be sure you follow through.

  • Tick checksticks are extremely small, tiny like poppy seeds, making them difficult to spot. I check both Harley and Jaxson at the end of each day. Around duck, they’re usually tired, and will lay relatively still while I run my hands (or a wide tooth comb) backwards across their coats. My Boys are white, so that is an advantage.
  • Know the environmentwe walk all over Charleston. They love the parks, trails, etc… I do try to stay away from thick condensed bushy areas. Doodle Dad removes all unwanted brush from our yard and will spray regularly. 
  • Treat the dogthere are many different products available on the market. Sprays, dips and shampoos help treat current infestations on your dog. Topical tick control products help prevent ticks on your dog.

THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT REVIEW –

I’m just sharing what’s working for us.

Before I moved to South Carolina, Doodle Doc of Virginia, strongly suggested I look into Bravecto for the Boys. She suggested it because of the increased number of both flea and tick cases in the area. When I met Doodle Doc of SC, he too shared statistics and documented studies about the success of Bravecto in our new location…

CANINE LYME DISEASE

It comes in a tasty chew (at least Jaxson makes it look tasty!) that provides 12 weeks of flea and tick protection.

Charlestonian’s for almost two years – I’ve only seen one tick after a long walk. As soon as I grabbed my “tick teaser” (a must tool for all pet parents) – I noticed the tick was just riding Jaxson’s back – he wasn’t even embedded yet. This seems to be the pawfect line of defense for the Boys.

WEEKEND WRAP-UP –

Sunday I spent some time getting educated about outdoor plants to hang on our porch.

Here’s what I learned about myself and plant shopping.

I –

  • personally think they’re too expensive.
  • can’t count – bought four to get home and realize I have six hangers #moremoney
  • had more fun pulling the Boys in the wagon…

CANINE LYME DISEASE

HOWEVER –

The porch does look lovely! Let’s see how long I can keep them alive 🙂

How was your weekend?

DisclaimerI am not a veterinarian nor a canine pharmaceutical rep. I’m a pet parent always interested in understanding more about my dogs.

More good reads:

Keep looking up that’s the secret of life ❤️

18 Comments
  • Emma
    May 8, 2017

    The ticks are horrendous this year! Just brushing by grass they jump on. It’s so important to be covered!

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 9, 2017

      I agree with you Emma – being covered is super Doodle important. So happy to hear you and your sisters are also!

  • claudette Pope
    May 8, 2017

    Ticks, OMG. I don’t like anything that crawls or flys and is called an insect. Ugh. I have lived in a community called “The Forest” for 20 years and luckly I had Never come accross a Tick – UNTIL last week. A teeny, tiny tick was on ME, the back of my knee. Curtis pulled it off me and Ive been checking Ziggy like an insane woman. Your post is really making me Think. I know Im not a hypochondriac, but my leg is actually hurting. Maybe it’s time for a trip to the Dr. ?????

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 9, 2017

      You sound like my sister-in-law. She freaks out at the sight of any kind of bug. But don’t panic, I doubt seriously if you need to go to see your doctor. As Pope to rub your leg #teehee

  • Jan K
    May 8, 2017

    Around here, it seems like they say that every year about ticks. No matter what the winter was like, it’s going to be a bad year for ticks! And they always are bad!
    However, I don’t worry as much about Lyme for the dogs. It’s not nearly as bad for them as it is for humans. And they can carry it but never get sick (and can’t spread it to humans).
    I make an all natural spray for myself and the dogs have a tag from Only Natural Pet which seems to be working. The ticks seem to be leaving Luke and crawling onto me! But we mostly see the larger dog ticks which don’t carry Lyme. And you can feel those suckers crawling on you…LOL.
    I agree….plants are expensive! I try to start my own from seeds, but it takes so much longer before you get to enjoy that beauty! I always spend way too much when I go to the garden center. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 10, 2017

      When I go to the vet, I’m always there longer than most people talking to the entire staff. They are so frustrated about the amount of people who refuse to vaccinate their pets. In this particular region, the temperature is like a breeding ground, so even though I don’t particularly like to – and would rather remain natural, but their health is more important. I trust their vet, and believe me, they know me and my love for the Boys very well LOL So we’re always on the same page. My plants have survived an entire week with me, that’s major!!! In all of this heat, I have been watering them in the early evening vs. during the middle of the day. Thought I read somewhere that this was better for them.

  • Lindsay
    May 8, 2017

    I cannot keep plants alive to save my life!! #savingmoneyiguess
    Your boys look adorable in the cart. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 10, 2017

      Lindsay, I’m really gonna try – Seems to be the “thing” here in Charleston, especially when you have a front porch, and mine is huge. Gonna eventually get me a straw hat so I can really blend in. LOL

  • Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
    May 12, 2017

    Don’t know how I missed this post last weekend but I did. Now, having said that, I tried the natural way a couple of years ago because I hated all those chemicals in the topicals; plus, Ducky was such a squirmy worm. Anyway, it didn’t work. The vet suggested the Bravecto and both girls have been on it ever since. And no fleas or ticks, despite Ducky being at daycare twice a week.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 12, 2017

      I too was resistant – but this region is just too over populated with ticks so I need something to protect them. I look at it like vaccinations for children. It’s the right thing (at least for me) to do!

  • The Bearden Pack
    May 14, 2017

    I remember my Alaskan Malamutes brought ticks home while on a hike. It was the most disgusting thing I’ve seen. Can’t forget tick control ever.

    • Cathy Bennett
      May 22, 2017

      You sound like me! The first time I had to remove a tick, I felt sick to my stomach #nolie It was as you described “disgusting.” Thanks so much for stopping by, please visit again soon.

  • Monika & Sam
    May 15, 2017

    Even in Denver I’m beginning to worry we’ll end up with ticks. The garden is majorly infested with aphids so it makes sense more crawly things will pop up, especially after such a relatively mild winter. Thanks for the reminder. I need to do more research on essential oils to keep ticks and other pests at bay to determine the most effective remedy.

  • David Luna
    January 25, 2018

    Lyme infection is a tick-borne malady that can infect both people and the furry members. A spiral-shaped microorganism named Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease. The good news about the Lyme ailment is, it is treatable. Identifying the symptoms- including swollen joints, fever, anorexia, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, depression etc, in the first place, a dog owner can treat this infectious illness. Sometimes, this abnormality does not show any clinical symptoms. Better, you should do give regular vet checkups to your canine companion to make sure your dog is not suffering from any kind of sickness that can cause a severe health hazard in future.

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 28, 2018

      Hi David! thanks so much – you are absoDOODLEtutely correct about regular vet visits. I run to the Doodle Doc whenever I have concerns. Thanks for stopping by – please come back soon!

  • Christine Bucher
    March 27, 2018

    Thank you so much for your article on bravecto flea and tick meds. My four month old first generation goldendoodle is soon to start some kind of tick and flea repellent. My vet only carries bravecto. I’m worried about it causing her seizures. I thought about going with the essential oils, but, I haven’t heard anyone say that it’s a guarantee against fleas ticks and heartworm. I understand that you have had your Doodles on it for a couple of years. Have you heard of any bad side effects in the Doodle world? Again thank you. I’m so worried

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 27, 2018

      I have been using it for a few years and neither one of my Boys have had any problems with it. There have been frightening reports but I’ve talked to both our conventional vet and holistic vet and I am comfortable giving it to them. My fear (especially living here in SC) is what would happen if they weren’t under any protection. Have you talked to your vet about this? I hope this helped….

      • Christine Bucher
        April 11, 2018

        Thank you for responding. My vet only carries bravecto. I’m still hesitant about giving it to her, but , I might have to take a chance and do it because I’d rather have her protected then get sick.