Things to do; Places to go; Ticks to avoid

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Lynne Hudlow

Picnicking in the sun, watching a Disc/Frisbee dog competition, or hiking in the woods are all good ways to spend the weekend. Disc dog is a great way to get out and exercise with your four legged friends and family members. To learn more about this fun sport for you and your dog, visit the disc dog page on Wikipedia

I recently attended a Disc dog competition that was held in a warm patch of sun surrounded by 154 acres of forest and scrub brush. Out in wooded areas like this wildlife oftentimes carry ticks, which attach to a host, feed and then drop off, waiting for the next warm body to walk by. While you are out having fun and relaxing, ticks may be lurking, waiting to bite you or your Pet and to catch a ride to the next place. If you are not sure what a tick looks like in comparison to other pests, check out the Webmd slideshow here. In addition to wooded areas, ticks can be found in tall grassy areas or any other brushy or shrubby place where wildlife travels.

Ticks are not just a nuisance; they can carry serious disease, which travels from their saliva into a bite wound when they attach to feed. Lyme disease is one example of a disease that can be spread to human and animal (including Pets) victims. Not every tick has Lyme disease, but it Lyme disease has been reported in almost every state in the United States – yes. Here is a map of the U.S. showing reports in 2003 and 1999 from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) website.

Protect the family- Here are some tips from the CDC on how to prevent ticks on human family members while enjoying the outdoors. Talk to your human healthcare provider if you have questions about Lyme disease, topical repellents, or other health issues related to ticks and tick diseases.

Protect your Pets- Here are some products available for your four legged family members to help with tick control. Frontline ®; K9 Advantix ®, which SHOULD NOT be used on cats or in households with cats.Vectra 3D is also a product for tick control in dogs and SHOULD NOT be used on cats or in households with cats.

For dogs, a vaccine to protect against Lyme disease is available. Check with your veterinarian about vaccinating to protect your Pet. Vaccination to prevent disease should be considered as a way to protect your Pet’s health and avoid the expense of treatment.

Lyme disease in your area – To find out the number of reported cases of Lyme disease in people in your area or anywhere you may be visiting review the Lyme Disease Association website here.

Symptoms of disease- Pets bitten by feeding ticks run the risk of becoming infected with Lyme disease. Check out the following websites for some of the more common symptoms.
http://frontline.us.merial.com/fleas/sub6_tick2.asp
http://www.health.state.ri.us/disease/communicable/lyme/pets.php

Any Pet with symptoms that could be associated with Lyme disease needs medical attention. Your veterinarian can draw blood, quickly test your Pet for Lyme disease and prescribe treatment. If you find a tick attached to your Pet and need help removing it properly, ask for help from your veterinary professionals. Lyme disease can have long-term debilitating effects on your Pet’s health. Talk to your veterinarian about symptoms you should watch for and any questions you have about Lyme disease.



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