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Protecting Your Pets from Fires

August 15, 2018

It’s no secret that the California wildfire season is off to a horrific start. With some of the largest fires our state has ever seen up North, including the Carr fire and Mendecino Complex fire burning more than 500,000 acres combined, many residents are finding themselves and their families displaced (CalFire).

Below is the current wildfire map as of August 17th, 2018

Additionally, other areas of the state, including the Bay Area, are receiving air quality warnings due to the amount of smoke and pollution in our area. On Friday, I was driving over the bridge on my regular commute and you could even see a layer of smoke, pollution, and smog sitting directly over the ocean. It is so disheartening and sad.

Fires, droughts, and earthquakes have been in the news cycle my entire life. However, when my mom asked recently if she should take the dog’s water bowls inside due to the debris in the air, I wasn’t sure of the answer, but I thought it was a great idea. I figured, many pet parents, especially in California, might be worried about the same thing. So, I thought today we could discuss fire safety.



Fire Prevention

Fires in a home, and wildfires in general start for a variety of reasons. But, according to the AKC and Rover, there are things that you as a pet parent can do to prevent fires in your home:

  1. Don’t leave open flames burning while you’re out of the house. This includes candles and fireplaces.
  2. Remove the knobs from your stove, or protect them with covers. Some dogs get curious and try to investigate food or other items left on top of the stove. “According to the National Fire Protection Association, a stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.” – AKC
  3. Don’t leave glass water bowls on wooden decks. “The sun’s rays when filtered through the glass and water can actually heat up and ignite the wooden deck beneath it. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead.” – AKC
  4. Don’t for about your Smoke Detectors. All smoke detectors in your home should be properly functioning. In our house we took this one step further and we have a smoke detector connected to our alarm system, so that our home alarm will sound if the smoke is detected.
  5. Secure wires and cords. We make sure to do this in our house. When Rooney was about 2 years old, we had one incident where he chewed a cord that was thankfully unplugged. Ever since then we have taken extreme caution when it comes to cords and Rooney. When he is at home all exposed cords are unplugged.

Fire Preparedness & Evacuation

Its difficult to even consider, but if a fire comes anywhere near your home and evacuations are needed, you will want to be prepared. The Michelson Found Animals Foundation Executive Director, Aimee Gilbreath, shared with us the following infographic and safety tips:

  1. Identification: Make sure that your pet has an up to date ID Tag and Microchip. Just in case they get separated from you in the chaos.
  2. Pet Rescue Stickers: These stickers alert first responders to how many animals you have in your home, and their names.
  3. Emergency Bag: We have a travel bag for Rooney called the Wag-n-Go that is perfect for emergency preparedness. In addition to everything you might need for your pet, I highly recommend adding a few extra leashes and collars to your bag. Inevitably, you will find other pets who have been separated from their parents, so it’s always nice to be able to clip a leash on them to keep them safe.
  4. Know Where to Go: Knowing where to evacuate is particularly important when you have pets. Not all evacuation centers allow pets, and this becomes increasingly difficult if you have goats, horses, or other pets as well.
Today we outline how to protect your pets from fires. Including home fire safety, fire evacuation, and adjusting to poor air quality due to wildfires.

Photo by Matt Aunger on Unsplash

Wildfire Smoke & Air Quality Safety

With all the major fires in the state, the air quality has been pretty bad. According to the AVMA, if you are feeling the effects of the smoke, your pets are feeling it too. There are a variety of clinical signs you can watch for to determine if your pets are experiencing the effects of dust and smoke in their lungs. If your pets are experiencing any of the following signs, the AVMA urges you to seek the care of your veterinarian immediately:

  • Coughing or gagging
  • Difficulty breathing, including open mouth breathing and increased noise when breathing
  • Eye irritation and excessive watering
  • Inflammation of throat or mouth
  • Nasal discharge
  • Asthma-like symptoms
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Disorientation or stumbling
  • Reduced appetite and/or thirst

How to Keep Your Pet Safe from the Poor Air Quality:

The AVMA urges that birds remain inside and are not to be let outside due to their susceptibility to poor air quality. In addition to keeping your birds inside, definitely keep your dogs inside as much as possible, with the windows shut, providing brief bathroom breaks, and no intense outdoor exercise.

Additionally, as mentioned above, my mom made an excellent point the other day and suggested that pet parents should bring their outdoor dog water bowls inside and be sure to wash them as the smoke and other particulate matter begin to settle on the ground. Which I highly recommend as another way to protect your pets from the aftermath of the wildfires.

If you would like to reach out any support the people and pets affected by these fires, I outlined a list of ways people can help fire victims during the Santa Rosa fires last year here. Thankfully, there are may ways to help fire victims and their pets.

Today we outline how to protect your pets from fires. Including home fire safety, fire evacuation, and adjusting to poor air quality due to wildfires.

Fighting Fleas and Ticks with Only Natural Pet

July 30, 2018

A few months ago, I wrote about our most recent experience with ticks. To summarize, it was the end of winter, and ticks were already showing up on our local hiking trails. I was sitting on the couch petting Rooney one evening and felt something by his ear. IT WAS A TICK. Ensue panic…

…This situation was particularly stressful because the beginning of 2018 was full of surprises (some scary and some wonderful), which led to me panicking because I had no idea when I last gave Rooney his flea and tick medication.

So We Called Our Vet

Because you can never be too careful with tick exposure, I immediately called Rooney’s vet and she recommended doing a blood panel in 4 weeks to see if Rooney was showing any signs of tick-borne diseases. I promised I would follow up on that original story, so I can put the update here: there was nothing of note in Rooney’s test. I’m so incredibly relieved.

Fighting Fleas and Ticks with Only Natural Pet

 

Enter, Only Natural Pet

While my greatest peace of mind comes from giving Rooney regular flea and tick medication, I was interested in learning more from Only Natural Pet when they contacted me about trying their EasyDefense Starter Kit, which includes the following:

  • EasyDefense Flea and Tick Spray
  • EasyDefense Flea and Tick Shampoo
  • EasyDefense All in One Remedy
  • EasyDefense Flea and Tick Wipes

What I like about these products is the immediacy of use and added layers of defense against fleas and ticks.

How Does EasyDefense Work?

Using the natural flea repelling botanical Geraniol (an extract of the geranium plant), these work in unison against biting insects. – Only Natural Pet

When Only Natural Pet approached me, I wanted to make sure that it was okay that I used the EasyDefense Starter Kit with the current flea and tick medications that I give Rooney. This is what they had to say:

“Only Natural Pet flea & tick products use the power of botanicals and bioenergy to protect pets from pests. These natural remedies should not interact with any flea & tick medications, however, if there is a significant concern, we recommend asking your vet about current prescriptions.”

I was really glad to learn that the EasyDefense Starter Kit can work in conjunction with other products, because I know in the areas where we hike, we need as many defenses as possible.

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

What I Like About EasyDefense Starter Kit

Rooney’s fur is so thick, because he has a double coat, so I love the idea of being able to bathe him with a flea and tick shampoo after hikes to make sure he isn’t harboring any hidden critters. Even though they shouldn’t survive with his other prevention, I don’t want any ticks sticking to Rooney….period.

I also love the wipes and the spray. The spray allows me to prepare for hikes by preventing exposure, and the wipes allow me to quickly address the flea or tick issue before we get back in the car, and right when we get home.

As always, please consult your veterinarian before trying new products for your pet.

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. How important is it to you to have added layers of defense when it comes to fleas and ticks? What other methods have you found effective?

Disclaimer: Rooney and I were provided with Only Natural Pet products so that we could share our opinion. However, My Kid Has Paws only shares information we believe will benefit our readers. 

3 Popular Supplements For Improving Your Dog’s Overall Health

June 5, 2018

Rooney is going to be 8 years old in July, and he is very much so middle-aged (Don’t tell him though).

Recently, I was thinking to myself, is it time to revisit Rooney’s supplements and start preparing for those unavoidable senior years? While there is plenty of information available regarding supplements for senior pets, what about the pets that aren’t quite seniors yet? Should they receive daily vitamins and supplements? If so, what kind?

So today, I would like to dive into this topic a bit and share with you the top 3 supplements recommended for dogs.

Topic Summary

Since I know that most of my readers are very busy pet parents, I wanted to include a brief summary of the conclusions outlined below:

  • Just because vitamins and supplements have grown in popularity among pet parents, doesn’t mean that you have to use them. I highly recommend consulting with your veterinarian before adding vitamins and supplements to your dog’s diet.
  • Dogs have necessary vitamins and minerals that they need to get from their diet. If you are feeding a homemade diet to your dog, please be sure to account for these necessary elements. Again, consult your veterinarian before adding/making changes to your pet’s diet.
  • Supplements have been known to improve; Joint Health, Gut (Digestive) Health, Cognitive Health, Coat & Skin Health, and Immunity.
  • Top 3 Recommended Supplements from my research
    • EFAs – Essential Fatty Acids
    • Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate
    • Probiotics
  • The purchasing location and brand of a supplement matters. There are several questions outlined below by veterinarians that can help you determine if your supplement is safe and effective.
  • My thoughts on vitamins and supplements and my plan for Rooney

3 Popular Supplements For Improving Your Dog’s Overall Health

Popularity of Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamins and supplements for dogs and cats have been a growing trend for over a decade. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2006; one third of US based dogs and cats were receiving a vitamin or supplements as part of their care. However, the increase in popularity is no indicator that you need to give your pet vitamins and supplements.

While vitamins are not supplements, they often come up in the same conversation, and I think in some ways are thought of as synonymous. However, vitamins are different from supplements and there are several vitamins (and minerals), that pet parents should make sure their dogs are getting from their diet.

Necessary Vitamins for Dogs

According to Rover and the National Academy of Sciences, your dog needs the following vitamins, which they should, and can get from their daily food if they are being fed a “complete and balanced” diet.

  • Vitamin K for activation of clotting factors, bone proteins, etc.
  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) for carbohydrate metabolism and activation in neural tissue
  • Riboflavin,Vitamin B12, and niacin for enzyme functions
  • Vitamin B6 for glucose generation; red blood cell function; nervous system function; etc.
  • Folic acid for metabolism and protein synthesis
  • Pantothenic Acid for energy and their metabolism
  • Chlorine as a phospholipid membrane component

According to Dr. Gary Richter, award-winning vet and member of Rover’s Dog People Panel, all dogs require the vitamins listed above, and if your pet food is labeled as “complete and balanced” it should include all of these vitamins for your dog.

Necessary Minerals for Dogs

In addition to the list of vitamins above, the National Academy of Sciences stresses the importance of your dog receiving the 12 essential minerals in their diets as well! Those minerals include the following:

  • Calcium for formation of bones and teeth, blood coagulation, etc.
  • Phosphorus for pH balance, metabolism, skeletal structure, etc.
  • Magnesium for hormone function, mineral structure of bones and teeth, etc.
  • Sodium for pH balance, nerve impulse generation and transmission, etc.
  • Potassium for pH balance, enzymatic reactions, etc.
  • Chlorine for transfer of liquids across cell membranes and pH balance
  • Iron for blood components and energy metabolism
  • Copper for blood cell formation, connective tissue formation, etc.
  • Zinc for enzyme reactions, cell replication, metabolism, etc.
  • Manganese for enzyme and cognitive function, as well as bone development
  • Selenium for immunity
  • Iodine for thyroid hormone synthesis, growth and metabolism

I will note that several articles stressed the importance of vitamins and minerals for dogs who are being fed homemade diets. If you are currently feeding your dog a homemade diet, what vitamins and supplements are you giving them? I would love to hear your thoughts about brands and vitamin and mineral combinations in the comments below. 

How Can Supplements Improve a Dog’s Overall Health?

The use of supplements varies significantly from pet to pet and from supplement to supplement, so the benefits vary greatly as well. Here is a brief list of ways people can improve their pets health with vitamins and supplements:

  • Joint Health
  • Gut (Digestive) Health
  • Cognitive Health
  • Coat & Skin Health
  • Immunity

The Top 3 Supplements Recommended for Dogs

In this case what constitutes the “Top” supplements are those that repeatedly showed up in articles and other research.

EFAs – Essential Fatty Acids

There are two specific types of essential fatty acids that are brought up in the conversation of both human and canine cognitive health.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 are known as essential fatty acids because our pets’ bodies cannot manufacture them — they must take them in along with their food, or as supplements. – Dr. Marty Becker

Firstly, its important to note that these fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties which is how they play such a critical role in brain health, but they also can improve joint health as a result. These supplements have the added benefit of improving your pet’s immune system as well as their skin and coat health. Lastly, I will add that Omega-3s have shown support for improving kidney and heart health (VeterinaryMedicine.DVM360).

Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate

In the early 2000s the evidence of the efficacy of these supplements was lacking, but Dr. Marty Becker recommends using these supplement in conjunction with EFAs in order for your pet to feel the full benefits.

The anti-inflammatory effects of these products may help pets with arthritis, while the ingredients (especially those derived from cartilage) provide the body with what it needs to help repair damaged cartilage in joints. – Dr. Marty Becker

I would love to provide you with a strong argument for Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate as a supplement for your dog, but that argument could go on for ages. The efficacy is well documented and supported by so many veterinarians. The argument against using these supplements would be based on brand. Meaning, there are some brands who are selling the fountain of youth for dogs, and not really giving much in return. Dr. Ernie Ward from Dogster recommends pet parents use supplements with the National Animal Supplement Council seal.

Probiotics

Probiotics significantly improve digestive health, which has an impact on a dog’s overall immunity and ability to fight disease (Dogster). How do they work? Probiotics create short-chain fatty acids which inhibit the activities of harmful bacteria in the digestive system (Whole Dog Journal).

Supplementing probiotics (and “prebiotics,” which is food the “good” bacteria eat) can help older pets with digestion, fighting off disease and even the effects of stress. But be sure to use probiotics designed for pets, not humans — ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. – Dr. Marty Becker

The Top 3 Supplements That Can Benefit Your Dog's Health

Photo by Jf Brou on Unsplash

Does it Matter Where You Buy Supplements?

Yes, yes, and YES!

In an article published by Veterinary Practice News in 2017, Michael Lane, DVM (Senior Resident, Internal Medicine at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital) stated “a combination of a lack of quality control and predatory marketing practices have led to a saturation of the veterinary market with products that have outlandish claims of medical benefits based on no merit whatsoever”. Despite the overall efficacy of supplements, not all brands and products are created equal.

Unfortunately, lack of regulation and oversight means that determining the efficacy of a product falls on veterinarian’s shoulders. According to Dr. Lane, the following are questions pet parents can ask themselves to determine a supplement’s safety and ability to attain the desired effects (Veterinary Practice News).

  • What is the mechanism of action?
  • Is there peer-reviewed literature to support its use?
  • Have any safety studies been performed?
  • Have any efficacy studies been performed?
  • What are the potential benefits and detrimental side-effects?
  • Could this product interact/ interfere with any of the pet’s current medications?
  • Does the product in the bottle match the label?
  • Is there a seal on the label provided by a reputable oversight committee?
  • Has the product undergone independent analysis by a third party (outside the manufacturer)?
  • Has the product been shown to be free of potentially harmful bacteria, heavy metals, toxins (like arsenic) and contaminants?

A Corgi Parent’s Thoughts

So here are my thoughts on the topic of vitamins and supplements. Rooney is fed a complete and balanced diet, and I do not make him homemade meals, so I’m less concerned about adding the vitamins and minerals listed above. That being said, one of my biggest health concerns for Rooney has always been his joints. Corgis are prone to back problems, and can also struggle with hip issues, so I have always been a fan of Glucosamine with Chondroitin Sulfate supplements, although I have been admittedly inconsistent. However, I am on the hunt for a new brand, and will be bringing this up at Rooney’s annual exam.

My next biggest interest is adding EFA’s to Rooney’s diet. As I mentioned, Rooney is turning 8 this year and I want to be proactive in terms of both his joint health, cognitive health, and immunity as he gets closer to his senior years.

Why not add all 3 right away to Rooney’s diet? I’m not really looking to overdue it. I really want to provide him with a long-term and comprehensive health plan and strategy, and I think adding one supplement at a time could be very effective.

Now that we have discussed the topic…

…what do you think? If you are ready to make some changes to your pet’s diet and add supplements or vitamins, what will you add?

Before giving your pet vitamins or supplements, be sure to find answers to the following questions.

  • Does my pet need a vitamin or supplement? Or are they getting everything they need from their diet?
  • Have I checked with my veterinarian to ensure that my pet’s need for a supplement isn’t going to cover up an ailment or underlying condition that should be treated in conjunction with, or in addition to, the supplement?
  • Can this vitamin or supplement interfere with any medications my dog is currently taking?
  • Are the vitamins and supplements I am adding from a good source?
  • Are these vitamins and supplements formulated specifically for pets?

National Animal Poison Prevention Week – Petcurean

March 25, 2018

Please note: This post is an educational resource for common pet poisons (i.e. not for emergencies). If you believe your pet has ingested something toxic, please visit the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Poison Control site (includes horse toxicity information) for a more comprehensive list, or call them at 855-764-7661 or 888-426-4435 respectively.

It’s really scary to think about how many pet poisons there are in the world.

As a matter of fact, I am the one in our dog-friendly office constantly checking the floor to make sure there nothing poisonous for pets has been dropped (like coffee beans and chocolate). To some people I am sure I seem a bit crazy, but to others who understand what these items can do to pets, I’m sure (I hope :)) that they appreciate my diligence.

The truth is however, you aren’t going to have a former veterinary professional walking around with you making sure your pet stays safe and doesn’t eat anything poisonous. To be honest with you, even if you did have a veterinary professional with you, most veterinary professionals still have to look up the types of plants that are poisonous because there are SO MANY!

We have covered this topic a variety of times over the years, and yet, there is still more to share!

Today, our friends at Petcurean want to share with you some common pet poisons so that you can keep your pets (and other people’s pets) safe with your knowledge!

Top 3 Items to Avoid for Dogs: 

  • Chocolate – Most pet lovers know that chocolate is a big no-no for Fido. Chocolate is harmful because of a toxic agent called theobromine, which can make your pup extremely ill and even lead to death.
    • I would add that it really matters what type of chocolate your dog ate! A super handy tool for helping you figure out if your pet is in a dangerous situation is PetMD’s Chocolate Toxicity Meter.
  • Grapes – A lesser known fact, grapes can lead to kidney failure in dogs. If you want to give your pup a sweet and healthy treat, opt for blueberries instead.
  • Mushrooms – If you have a dog that spends a lot of time outside, it’s crucial to check your yard for mushrooms. There are many species of mushroom that are toxic to pets, such as the Amanita phalloides or ‘Death Cap’ mushroom, a potent poison at only 3 grams. Since there’s a multitude of other species that can harm your pet, it’s best to keep your lawn clean of any mushrooms just to be safe.
    • If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous mushroom, take them to the vet and bring the mushroom so the clinic can identify what type of toxin or poison they are dealing with.
    • In my own professional experience I have seen many dogs eat mushrooms, and the best thing you can do is act quickly and take them to the vet immediately! Mushrooms are very difficult to identify so it’s safer to assume that any mushroom your dog ate is poisonous and seek veterinary treatment!

National Animal Poison Prevention Week - Petcurean

Top 3 Items to Avoid for Cats:

  • Tuna – Although tuna is the classic delicacy for a cartoon cat, you should only feed your cat tuna when it’s produced in a cat food format. Tuna made for humans can cause digestive problems in your cat if fed as an occasional treat. Feeding them tuna on a more consistent basis can cause a painful condition called steatitis, or inflammation of the body’s fat.
  • Dairy products – Perhaps as iconic as cats and tuna, cats and milk are also a popular pairing. However, as cats age, they can become lactose intolerant causing them to vomit or have diarrhea after ingesting dairy.
  • Lilies – The most common type of lily is toxic to cats only. If your cat eats a lily, it can lead to kidney failure which, if not treated quickly, may result in death.
    • Unfortunately, these are particularly popular this time of year and it can be a very big concern for pet parents.

HARMFUL PLANTS: Many common household plants can have negative effects on your beloved pet. Check your home and make sure you don’t have any of these around!

  • Aloe – There are more than 500 species of aloe vera, all of which are poisonous to your pet. Its toxin, saponin, acts as a defense mechanism and will harm your pet if ingested.
  • English Ivy – English Ivy is one of the most common forms of ivy to grow along the sides of walls and fences, making them easily accessible by outdoor pets and therefore, especially dangerous.
  • Sago Palm – This plant is also a common landscape feature, but a little more difficult for your pet to eat. However, Sago Palm is highly poisonous to pets and can even be fatal.
  • Shamrocks – While relatively harmless in small quantities, a large consumption of shamrocks can lead to kidney failure in your pet.

Unfortunately, this list of poisonous plants is only the beginning! If you aren’t sure about the plants in your yard, it’s important that you take inventory and revisit the design of your yard. I will say that many pet parents think to themselves that their pet isn’t going to eat the plants in their yard because they haven’t yet. But the truth is, you never know. Your pet may feel mischievous, or bored, or stressed one day and start eating items in your yard.

For Renters:

We rented a home for a few years and the yard definitely had some poisonous plants in the back yard. Thankfully, all of the plants were considered mild to moderately toxic. The problem was that we weren’t able to rip up the plants because it wasn’t our yard.

If any of the plants were extremely toxic, we would have made a formal request to have them removed. However, we opted to have Rooney’s time outside monitored. We were always outside with him and provided him with distractions so that he wouldn’t try to eat the plants. Rooney is very mischievous and will definitely try to eat anything that looks interesting.

I would love to know what other solutions renters have used to keep your pets safe, so please share in the comments!

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I want to thank our friends at Petcurean for sharing this valuable information with our readers. Have you had a pet poison learning lesson? Please share in the comments! Your story could help other pet parents keep their dogs and cats safe!

Every My Kid Has Paws reader can enjoy a $5 off coupon to try any Petcurean recipe using coupon code PAWSOME8 which can be redeemed at Petcurean.com/pawsome!

Disclaimer: I am a Petcurean blogger. I was provided with food and compensation so that Rooney and I could provide our honest opinion. However, Petcurean is the food we feed Rooney every day. My Kid Has Paws only shares reviews we believe benefit our readers.

I Found A Tick on Rooney…

March 6, 2018

So a few weeks ago, we went hiking in the gorgeous Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve. This hiking location has amazing views of the Bay Area and the perfect incline for a short hike and a good workout. Unfortunately, this location also has a lot of ticks (we didn’t know that until we were already there).

While Rooney is on regular flea and tick medication, I wasn’t happy when I found two ticks on him in the next fews days. I was also in a bit of a panic because to be perfectly honest, I think I went 1 or 2 weeks too long before I gave him his most recent dose of flea and tick medicine (and I actually gave Rooney his dose later that same day). You see, January was an insane month and we had a pretty big family emergency, and some days I couldn’t remember my name let alone when I gave Rooney his flea and tick medication.

Enjoying the scenic views of the Bay!

A post shared by Rooney the Corgi (@mykidhaspaws) on

When we got home from the hike however, I IMMEDIATELY bathed Rooney to try to remove as many ticks as possible from his fur, and gave him his next dose of flea and tick medication. The two that we found on him were right next to his ears, so much so that they initially felt like cartilage under his fur, similar to the normal feeling of a dog’s ear, but upon further investigation, we indeed found 2 ticks.

So, we removed the ticks carefully from Rooney, and then I went into research mode. Everything I found indicated that there is no way to know what kind of tick it was and whether or not the tick passed on a disease to Rooney.

Therefore, I reached out to Rooney’s veterinarian (who is also one of my closest friends), and she let me know the following:

Firstly, it takes 24 hours for ticks to pass disease.

This information unfortunately didn’t make us feel better because we found ticks on Rooney on Day 2 and Day 3 after the hike.

Secondly, it takes 4 weeks for tick-borne diseases to show up in a blood test.

So, we are headed in for a 4dx blood panel next week. According to IDEXX, this is the “only test that allows you to efficiently test for heartworm disease and tick-transmitted pathogens, as recommended by the Companion Animal Parasite Council.“

I Found A Tick on Rooney...

What did make me feel better:

If I was looking for a bright side in this scenario, I would tell you that there are two things that make me optimistic that Rooney isn’t, and wasn’t, infected with a tick-borne disease.

  1. The ticks seemed dead and weren’t full, which I’m hoping is an indicator that they died due to the dose of flea and tick medication we gave him.
  2. The sites where we found the ticks have remained healthy with no secondary infection
  3. I think it’s important to note that Rooney hasn’t shown any signs or symptoms of tick-borne disease, which according to PetMD include:
    • Reluctance to Move
    • Fever
    • Fatigue
    • Loss of Appetite
    • Swollen Lymph Nodes

Waiting Game…

So, next week Rooney will get his 4dx blood test, and we will know for sure that he is tick-borne disease free.

Have you ever found a tick on your dog? Have you ever had to get a 4dx test for your dog?

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