Published on Monday, June 06, 2011

I have just removed another big swollen TICK from Phoebe Doggie. Ticks have been endemic this year, possibly on account of the warmer weather. Ticks cause LYME DISEASE in dogs (and humans) and must be treated immediately as it can, in the worst cases, be fatal and is always painful and unpleasant.

Lyme Disease is carried by the Deer Tick. Removing the tick as soon as you find it is essential to stop the transmission of the disease. After EVERY WALK you should thoroughly check your doggies even if you don’t think you have been in an infested area. Ticks are small tricksy little buggers so thorough checking and brushing is needed.

If you find a tick, don’t do what I did which is squeal: “GROSS!!” and recoil. This will hurt your doggies feelings. Instead, tell your doggie how wonderful they are and calm down because, you still need to remove the tick. If it is imbedded (i.e. the front pincers are wedged into the doggies flesh) this can be tricky. In Africa when I was growing up, we would just take a cigarette lighter to the tick (not the dog) and this would result in the tick exploding. Great fun! But I don’t advise it :/ I am sure health and safety and indeed, good sense suggests an alternate methods. You can buy tick removers, or you can just twist the tick out. Some people smother the tick in vaseline or alcohol to kill it first. The tick will leave a hard raised welt. You must clean this thoroughly and make sure it doesn’t get infected. I dabbed the whole area with tea tree oil and did so for a few days.

It is important to KNOW THE SYMPTOMS of Lyme Disease.

Here is the checklist:

1. Is your doggie limping, have painful feet or legs? Joint swelling and swollen lymphs are also possible. The symptoms are similar to rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Any changes in behaviour, in particular signs of confusion or disorientation. In extreme cases seizures may be possible.
3. A temperature, as high as 105 F. Refusal to eat and lethargy are also important signs.
4. Look for a swollen tummy, smelly breath and any changes to how much they wee- either an increase or decrease.
5. Severe symptoms are encephalitis, kidney failure, myocarditis, and meningitis.

BUT

Some dogs show few symptoms at all so daily checking for ticks and vigilance is most important. Any change in your little friends behaviour is worth checking out.

Daily checking is vital and a daily brush with a few drops of pure rosemary oil on the bristles is very useful and has the added bonus of sending any fleas packing!