Ticks: Myths vs. Facts

TICKS: Myths Vs Facts

Disease-carrying ticks pose health risk to both dogs and people, no matter where you live.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that ticks in every U.S. state carry diseases and the number of tick-borne diseases are on the rise.  But do you know the myths vs. facts of ticks?

Myth #1: Ticks live in trees, so as long as I don’t live near or visit a wooded area, I don’t have to worry about them.

FACT: Ticks live on the ground no matter the locale, be it an urban park or a rural area. They typically crawl up from grass blades onto a host and migrate upward (which is why they’re often found on the scalp).



Myth #2: The best way to remove a tick is with a lit match,  fingernail polish, or petroleum jelly.

FACT: None of these methods cause the tick to “back out,” and all of them may actually result in the tick depositing more disease carrying saliva into the wound, increasing the risk of infection.

The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it as close to the skin as possible with tweezers and pull the tick’s body out with a steady motion. Wear rubber gloves and clean the skin with soap and water after removal. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol  or flushing it down the toilet



Myth #3: Lyme disease is the only tick-borne disease that ticks can transmit to dogs and humans.

FACT: Lyme disease is the most widely known and common tick disease, but there are many others that ticks carry and can transmit to people and animals. These include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Anaplasmosis (sometimes known as “dog fever”), Ehrlichiosis, and some emerging diseases with potentially devastating effects. 


Myth #4: I don't have to worry about ticks in the winter.

FACT: In most areas of the country, high season for ticks runs from April to November. Experts recommend year-round preventives, however, as infection can occur at any time of the year. In the winter, for example, some tick species move indoors and are in closer contact with pets and people, while others make a type of antifreeze to survive during the winter months.

In Iowa, the most common ticks are the Lonestar Tick, American Dog Tick, and Black-legged Tick.  The Black-legged Tick or deer tick trasmits Lyme disease.  A current Lyme vaccine will protect your dog against Lyme Disease and a monthly tick preventive is an easy way to prevent other tick-borne diseases.  


So are your pets at risk?  Go to DogsAndTicks.com and take the quick assessment to find out what you can do to make sure your pet is protected!





http://www.dogsandticks.com 
http://www.cdc.gov/ticks
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM2036.pdf 

Keep Your Pets Protected This Summer

Summer Pet Care Tips

1. Make sure your pets are on heartworm and flea/tick preventives.  Even pets that are 100% inside should be on these preventives.  

2. Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle.  The temperature of a car can rise dramatically in a few minutes especially if in the sun.  

3.  Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors.  If they are outside make sure they have a shady place to rest.  Be careful not to overexercise them, and keep them indoors when extremely hot.

A "Kiddie Pool" is an easy and fun way to keep your dogs cool while playing outside. 

4.  Summer is a great time for barbecues.  Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets.  (Alcohol, raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and xylitol).  

5. Water: Not all dogs are good swimmers.  Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool.

5. Screen Test:    The ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals during the warm months due to pets (mostly cats) fall out of windows or doors.  Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly screwed.  

6.  Leave your pets at home when you head out to a 4th of July celebration, and never use fireworks around your pets.  Dogs hearing can be 10 times more sensitive than ours, so fireworks may be scary to your dog.  

7.  Harness: If your cats go outside, keep them on a harness for their protection.  Also make sure they are current on vaccines (including Feline Leukemia) and on preventive care.  Display proper tags on their collar. 

References:  Purina Summer Pet Care Tips 2012  

                    www.aspca.com 2012 

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes.  Left untreated, this disease is a potentially fatal illness.  Even dogs and cats that are 100% indoors need to be on preventive care.  

At South Des Moines Veterinary Center, we offer three different products that protect against Heartworm Disease  

1) Heartgard Plus:  a monthly Real-Beef Chew

Heartgard Plus is a monthly real-beef chew that prevents heartworm disease, treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infections.  

2) Revolution: a monthly topical preventive

Revolution is a monthly topical (liquid between the shoulder blades) medication that prevents heartworm disease.  In cats, it also prevents ear mites, fleas, roundworms, and hookworms.  In dogs, it also treats fleas.   

3) Trifexis: a monthly chewable tablet

Trifexis is a monthly chewable tablet for dogs that prevents heartworm disease.  It also potects against fleas, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.

These products all prevent heartworm disease.  Your pets health and lifestyle will help us determine which product will suit your pets needs.  If you have more questions about these products or Heartworm Disease please call the vet center at 515-285-5523.   We are currently offering several specials and rebates on these products at SDMVC. Don't let your pet lose to a mosquito!

Are You Financially Prepared?

CareCredit

Family medical emergencies can hit the family budget hard, and our pets emergencies are no different, but there is a simple solution to make payment easier.  






Care Credit is a payment option that is quick and easy to use and give you six months interest free to repay those unexpected veterinary bills.

Care Credit makes it easy to apply, just go to Care Credit, click on the "apply" tab, follow the instructions for the application, wait for your approval and start using CareCredit today.

Puppy Playtime

Seven Steps to Proper Play 

For Your New Puppy

1.Provide plenty of exercise: Give them productive ways to expend their energy (i.e., walks, playing)

2. Provide mental stimulation: Interactive puzzle toys, Kongs, Busy Buddy toys

3. Play with your pup: Playing fetch or throwing a soccer ball for your pet to push around will sap some of your pup's energy

4. Teach and review basic obedience commands: A well-trained dog is more likely to follow orders when behaving inappropriately

  

5. Conduct leadership exercises: Ask your puppy to respond to a command such as "sit" before he receives anything he wants or needs.  

6. Don't sit on the floor with your pup: This tends to get puppies excited, puts family members in a vulnerable position, and makes it more difficult to control the puppy

7. Promote socialization: Puppies must have frequent, positive social experiences with all types of animals and people during the first few months of their life to prevent asocial behavior, fear, and biting.  Doggy Daycare at South Des Moines Veterinary Center is a great way to promote socialization and to provide positive experiences at the veterinary.     

References:  Information provided by Wayne L Hunthausen, DVM, Animal Behavior Consultations, 4820 Rainbow Blvd, Westwood, KS 66205. 

Should My Pet Be Eating That?

Foods Your Pet Should Avoid

Chocolate/Coffee:  Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, high heart rate, tremors, seizures and even  death

Alcohol:  Can cause vomiting, drunkenness, coma and death

Avocado:  Can be fatal to birds and rabbits.  Can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs

 Macadamia Nuts:  Can cause temporary hind leg weakness, paralysis and tremors in dogs

Grapes/Raisins:  Can cause kidney failure

Xylitol:  Can cause seizures and liver failure.  (Xylitol is used 

as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, 

baked goods and toothpaste)

Onions/Garlic:  Can cause vomiting and red blood cell damage


Raw Yeast Bread Dough: Can cause bloat and drunkenness

"What should I do if I think my pet has eaten something poisonous?"    

-Stay calm and contact your veterinarian for advice   

Or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center-  888-423-4435

For more information visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center. 

References:  www.aspca.org/apcc  2012

Why Spay and Neuter?

Why Spay And Neuter?  

Benefits of spaying your female pet (ovariohysterectomy)

• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer
• Eliminated unwanted pregnancies
• If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1% chance of developing breast cancer.  If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8% chance of developing breast cancer.  If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26%.  After two years, no protective benefit exists. 
• Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medication.  
• Eliminates unwanted litters 

 Neutering your male pet (castration)

• Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.  Testicular cancer is the second most common tumor in male dogs
• Greatly reduces the risk of prostatitis and prostate cancer
• Reduces the risk of perianal tumors
• Reduces roaming and fighting
• Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before the age of 6 months 
• Eliminates the risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases
• Eliminates unwanted litters

Common myths
Spaying or neutering your pet does not:

• Cause laziness or hyperactivity
• Reduce its instinct to protect your family and home
• Cause immature behaviors
• Postpone or delay normal behavior maturity
• Alter its personality in any manner

**More than 4 million pets are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because they have no home.  Many puppies and kittens less than 6 months old.  Help stop this needless loss of life.  Take the pledge to spay or neuter your pet!  

Interested in helping out homeless pets?  Donate food/supplies or make a monetary donation to your local shelter or rescue group.  Thinking about adding another furry friend to your family?   Check out Petfinder to search for adoptable pets in your area.  Pets in shelters and rescues are already spayed/neutered and many times include microchips and initial vaccines.


Reference:  Firstline 2009