| |
| |
|
Pets Information |
|
|
|
Dont Let Ticks Ruin Your Dogs Good Time!
Nobody likes ticks. In fact, when it comes to ticks I can't think of a single redeeming quality. While you may see the occasional ant farm or flea circus, the tick competes with the cockroach on the "likeability" scale! Here's what you need to know to defeat them and prevent them from spoiling you and your dog's Summer fun... What Makes a Tick "Tic"? Did you know that ticks aren't insects? They belong to the same family as spiders (arachnids). That may explain why we humans find them especially unappealing! The fact that it behaves like a tiny vampire makes the tick even more detestable. Technically, a tick is a blood sucking mite that can expand 20 to 100 times it's size as it feeds. (Gross). And ticks can spread Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, making them potentially lethal. Ticks use their sharp mouth pieces to attach themselves to your dog's skin. Their favorite spots are the head, neck, ears, or feet. The scariest thing about them is the fact that ticks can go unnoticed. Tiny as they are, they can attach themselves to you or your dog without being seen or felt. And especially if your dog has a dark coat, ticks will often continue to go unnoticed until they're well engorged with blood. At that point, you still may not see them, but you'll certainly feel them by running your fingers or a fine toothed comb through your dog's coat. (I still remember finding one on our black poodle when I was a child. It looked like a small school bus, so I can only imagine how long it had been there! ) The Spring and Summer months are when ticks are most prevalent, but any time your dog has been in a heavily wooded area, she should be checked. Ticks like wooded, grassy, and damp areas best. Two types of ticks are most commonly found on dogs--the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. But deer ticks and western black-legged ticks will feed on dogs too. Of course, the tick was captured before having a chance to feed. The average tick begins it's adventures approximately the size of a sesame seed. After making a meal of your dog's (or your) blood, it may reach the size of a small grape! ( I swear, the one I saw looked like a school bus...) Aside from the risk of contracting Lyme disease or spotted fever from ticks, there's another concern: Too many ticks feeding on a single dog can cause severe anemia or a condition called tick paralysis. Does and Don'ts of Tick Removal A tick can be spotted fairly easily against a background of pink skin or a light colored coat. Check your dog all over, but especially around the head and neck, ears and paws. Against dark skin and coats, ticks virtually disappear, so you'll have to feel for them. Another option is to run a fine-toothed comb or flea comb through your dog's coat to loosen ticks that haven't "latched on" yet. Please pay special attention to the following:
How to Avoid and Prevent ticks Control and prevention of ticks is especially important in avoiding diseases associated with them. What areas should you avoid? Wooded areas, tall grass, low brush, and damp areas are all attractive to ticks. They also are found in greater numbers in areas such as the Northeastern United States. No place is completely safe, though, since a person or animal can "give ticks a ride" from one place to another by carrying them on their skin, clothing or coats. In parts of the country where the tick population is especially heavy and the risk of Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever especially great, your vet may suggest your dog be vaccinated against ticks. Weigh the pros and cons with your vet if that's what he or she recommends. There are plenty of products on the market designed to repel and/or kill ticks. (Never use tick products designed for dogs on a cat -- it could kill her). Personally, I like all natural products for controlling fleas and ticks. All conventional products designed to kill/repel fleas and ticks are poisons of one kind or another, and can pose some risk to your pet. Garlic tablets, herbal shampoos, and botanical oils are among your choices. There's also a spray to relieve hot spots and irritated skin. No more ticks! At last, you and your pet can stay healthy and tick-free.Your dog will sure be glad you took the time to read up on ticks! Remember, natural products help your pets fight parasites better by keeping them strong, healthy, and toxin-free! © 2004, Carolyn Schweitzer. Lifelong dog-lover, power-shopper, and former family dentist Carolyn Schweitzer is owner and editor of Great-Dog-Gift.com where she offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.) Visit the site to view the full illustrated artice and learn where to find natural tick control products (links contained in article). You can reach Carolyn by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Protecting Yourself From Online Pet Classifieds Scams! Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world wide issues that have become widespread in targeting sellers and buyers everywhere specially on the Internet. Often this involves buyers from Nigeria, Africa, Holland and other countries. 7 Good Reasons to Have Your Cat Spayed or Neutered Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat spayed or neutered. This decision is made for several different reasons, all of which illustrate why it is such a good idea. Brushing Up On Dog Grooming Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward.It all begins with the brushing:- Brush your dog regularly. So You Want To Own A Ferret? You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and the local pet store usually has some for sale. They seem to be intelligent and cuddly. My Tips to Take Care of a New Dog So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the best breeder after doing all that research, or you found the most adorable "mutt" at the pound, where you were just going to look, you swore. And now you realize that you weren't as prepared as you thought. Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 3 of 3 Are there so many great dog breeds out there that you just can't decide where to begin? If so, let's break it down and sort through all the options. In Part 3, the final article in this three part series, we'll continue looking at the seven Groups of dogs that are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club. Dog Beds for Larger Dogs Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and planning when owners purchase a permanent dog bed. Even though large dogs can be just as lovable as their smaller canine counterparts, they require a more complex sleeping situation than small dogs. Our Pets Behavior Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If each dog and cat owner in the United States took the time to understand the root of their animals'behavioral issues, our animal shelters would be substantially less populated with strays. Thats No Paris Hilton! An Overview of Dog Obedience Training Videos Mention the word "video" and different people would come up with different ideas. Some would remember those home movies they made during special occasions spent with family and friends. What Your Cat Wants You To Know If your feline friend could speak your language, here a few things she would probably like you to know.1) I am the boss of you. So, You've Decided To Kill Your Pet! The other day I was doing a research online for an article I was writing and I came across an article, which the author started by saying: "Euthanasia, is often the hardest thing to do, yet the greatest act of kindness" Then he went on explaining the "grueling" suffering and the guilt the pet owner goes through before making the decision, how it affects the whole family, especially the kids. But then he explains euthanasia in the most loving way I've ever seen someone describe a murder. Mind Over Matter Understanding where horses come from has been a long road for most equestrians. Using that new understanding can dramatically change how one handles, cares for, and trains or rides their horse. Clown Loaches Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus Other Scientific Name(s): Cobitis macracanthus, Botia macrocanthus Common Name: Clown LoachClown loaches are very popular aquarium fish; however they are not always easy to keep successfully since they easily succumb to ick and are sensitive to poor water conditions. This article is intended to help new clown loach owners provide a good home for their loaches. How To Recognize A Respiratory Tract Ailment In Your Parrot A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot if left untreated. Find out how to recognize if your parrot is having problem with its breathing. Buying a Custom Bird Cage Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird perched on our shoulder, accompanying us around town. At the end of the day, though, our feathered friend must return to its cage. Horse Training Facts And Maxims To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about horses they should know. In fact, when someone first gets a horse these timely facts should be studied and learned. Does Your Dog Dig? Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or you probably wouldn't be reading this. But, looking at your "battle-field" of a yard filled with holes sometimes makes it tough to love your dog like you want to. What Dog Owners Need To Know About Dog Crate Training Why should you use the dog crate training method?Is the dog crate training method humane?You may look at a dog crate and find it doesn't inspire much confidence. Don't be too quick to judge, the dog training method is highly effective. How To Prevent Your Horse Going Lame From The Most Common Cause Of Lameness There are lots of ways a horse can go lame. Perhaps the most common cause of lameness is a result of Navicular Syndrome. Acclimating New Birds Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business, it dawned on me that we need to talk about the transition of a bird moving to a new home, whether a hand fed baby just adopted to a new home or an older bird going to a second home. This is a stressful time for any bird, but you can help lessen the strife and make the move easier for both your new bird and the rest of the family.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
