Fleas and Ticks and other bugs

 

We have a ton of these absolutely disgusting creatures in our area.  Deer ticks.  They are just all over and you can barely go outside anywhere near woods without have at least a few of these repulsive bugs getting on you.

Worst of all they carry a variety of diseases that people, dogs, and more rarely cats can contract.  Around here the most common is Lyme Disease which can be absolutely debilitating.

After our hike yesterday, I pulled 4 of these off Booker and 3 off of me.  Marc also had a couple on him.  Fortunately, we spotted and pulled off all of them before they actually bit in and latched on.

We always get our dogs with the Lyme Disease vaccination.  That way even if they get bit by a tick they won't get Lyme.  However we also treat our dogs with preventatives. The decision to use flea and tick medication is a little controversial in the dog world.  There is some evidence that both oral and topical medications are linked to "neurological events".  

I worry about that.  Fortunately we have treated our dogs with Simparica and they have had no issues at all.  When we got to the vet with Booker next week I plan to get some for him.  There are NO MEDICATIONS, I repeat NO MEDICATIONS for humans or dogs that don't carry a risk for an adverse reaction.  Of course that can range from a mild side effect to a severe reaction.  But you have to weigh the risks versus the benefits.

If you've ever seen a dog (or person) with Lyme Disease it is just terrible.  It is usually manageable but there is NO CURE.  It can be extremely painful and effect quality of life.  So for us, who hike all the time and also just have a lot of ticks on our property, we are at extreme risk of our dogs getting ticks on them and getting bit themselves or carrying a tick into the house where it could get on our cats or us and make us sick.  So for us the benefits are worth the risk.

I did stop giving Archer the pills when he got sick, just because he was weak and older and I didn't want to take the chance of him having a seizure AND, quite frankly, we knew he wasn't going to live long enough to have Lyme Disease effect him   We did carefully check him every time he was outside.

If you didn't want to give the topical or the oral medications, there is the Seresto Collar.  I can't personally attest to that, and I don't want our dogs wearing a collar all the time, so it's not for us.  But I have heard from people that they are very happy with it.  

There are also reported "natural" products, usually made with essential oils, but I'm yet to find one that is extremely effective.  If you live in a low-risk area, that might be a better choice.  

Either way, I highly recommend treating with something and certainly adding the vaccination to the list of vaccines you get for you dog.

So chopose