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Why The Frick Is Your Dog Still Getting A Tick?
One of the most disgusting insects crawling around on this green earth is the tick. It has become the regular enemy of deer, domesticated animals and even humans over a long period of time. Cases of Lyme disease and other tick born illness continue to be on the rise and there seems to be no end in sight, especially this year.
We have a black lab and it makes finding them even harder. You never know where they'll be. Each time we've let her out in the backyard, it appears an unwanted visitor comes back inside with her.
Now, we do have the perfect storm when it comes to a tick population. We live near a wooded area with big tall trees in our backyard. That's a tick breeding ground.
Won't The Cold Kill Them?Here in Central New York, there have been several cold mornings already this fall season and even some frost covered mornings, yet there is still a strong presence of the little critters. WHY? Isn't the cold known to kill them, stop them in their tiny tracks?
That is what many believe, but the truth is the tick is resilient. Like many other small nuisance pests it takes a lot to drive them away or get rid of them completely.
Photo by Erik Karits on Unsplash
Photo by Erik Karits on UnsplashAccording to the pest control company Terminix, ticks can survive quite easily during the winter months and their hibernation spot is quite creepy. Terminix states:
Ticks survive the winter in a variety of ways, but do not go away just because it is cold. Depending on the species – and stage in their life cycle – ticks survive the winter months by going dormant or latching onto a host.
Latching to a host? You mean burrowing during winter in the side of a deer or your family dog? Yuck!
In fact, if temperatures remain at 45 degrees or above, ticks can become active again, said Terminix.
Blacklegged ticks, which carry Lyme disease, remain active as long as the temperature is above freezing. The adults look for food right around the first frost. Additionally, the winter tick, which hatches in late summer as temperatures begin to decrease, is active during cooler months. This tick is typically found on moose, and sometimes deer, in the Northeastern part of the country.
Ticks Just Trying to SurviveWhatever the type of tick, it's important to know that they are like any other creature trying to survive in the wild. The goal is to eat, live and create other little tick heads. Like many other undesirable insects and little things nobody wants, they reproduce like rabbits, but worse.
Terminix states, "Those that cannot find a host will likely die. Females will remain on a host until the end of winter or start of spring. Then they drop into the leaf litter, where they will lay up to 3,000 eggs before dying."
Now that's a crazy thought.
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Taking Steps to Protect YourselfAccording to the New York State DEC, you need to protect yourself. There are several ways to do it because Lyme disease can be detrimental to your health.
The DEC says you need to do the following in potentially tick infested areas,
It's essential to do these things to protect yourself from all the symptoms of Lyme disease; including fever, headache, fatigue and nasty rashes. You also need to monitor your pets for the little pests.
Be prepared and stay vigilant. It's going to be a long winter.
8 Types of Ticks Biting in New York This SeasonTis the season for ticks. Here are the 8 types of ticks you'll find biting in New York.
Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams
Which Dog Represents Your Central NY Hometown?Every city and town in Central New York has a dog breed that perfectly matches its personality. What is your hometown's true dog identity?
Central NY is unique -- in that every city seemingly has its own unique personality and vibe. I recently moved to the area from Connecticut and have made a point to visit as many places as possible.
What strikes me most is that every city and town feels very different from one another. They're not defined by their local attractions, but their overall character.
And that got me thinking: Could I find a dog breed that could perfectly represent each and every city? The answer is an obvious yes.
So buckle up and stretch out your scrolling finger to enjoy the dog slideshow.
Gallery Credit: Megan
Former Winter Olympians From New YorkNew York State has been represented well in the Winter Olympic Games, from Remsen's Erln Hamlin to Val Bialas of Utica. Here are seven former Olympians with New York ties
Gallery Credit: Jim Rondenelli
Mysterious Illness Sickens Dogs In Multiple States: Symptoms To Watch For
Experts are trying to pin down the cause of a mysterious respiratory illness sickening hundreds of dogs nationwide.
The illness has been found in multiple states. Most cases have cropped up in Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, New Hampshire and Washington.
The illness — which can cause coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy, as well as pneumonia — does not appear to respond to antibiotics. Experts still don't know the underlying cause.
New Jersey-based veterinarian Kirsten White cautioned against panic, saying these sorts of illnesses emerge in dogs from time to time. She added that its lack of response to antibiotics could merely mean it's a viral infection.
"Bacteria would generally respond to antibiotics," said White, who's also a clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University.
A viral infection does appear to be the most likely cause, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. The Oregon Department of Agriculture found that the "cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative," the OVMA said.
While several cases have involved positive tests for M. Cynos, a bacteria that can cause canine respiratory illness, "that is not believed to be the underlying causative agent," the organization noted.
Oregon alone has reported more than 200 cases.
There have been some dog fatalities from the illness, but White said, "as far as the total number of cases, it doesn't seem to be that likely."
She said dog owners should be aware of symptoms.
"My big thing would be not to panic but to be practical," White said. "Obviously, you want to ensure that your dog is up to date on all preventative vaccines that are recommended by your vet. Especially vaccines like bordetella, parainfluenza and canine influenza."
She added, "If an owner is concerned, or they have a dog that has a compromised immune system — something like a cancer patient — they can consider avoiding exposure to other dogs in places like dog parks, doggy daycare, boarding kennels or grooming facilities."
Dog illnesses like this happen, White said. They often begin as mysteries that are soon solved.
"One of the things that I think is scaring people (is) everybody says this is so new, and it's really not," she said.
Respiratory infections do emerge, she said, citing diseases like kennel cough, an umbrella term for multiple disease-causing agents, either bacterial or viral.
"There's a lot of respiratory issues out there," White said. "Canine influenza caused a big stir when we first discovered that in some shelter populations a couple (of) years ago, but I think this is not new. I think the part that has people concerned is that we're not sure what the causative agent (is) yet."
"If owners notice signs of illness in their dog, they should have their dog evaluated by a veterinarian," said Darby McDermott, the N.J. Public health veterinarian, in a statement.
She also said dogs that are ill "should be kept away from other animals, and should not be brought to public areas like dog parks while they are sick to prevent other dogs from being exposed to contagious illnesses."
One of the best and easiest ways people can help protect themselves is by washing their hands after handling, caring for, feeding or cleaning up after dogs, McDermott said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.Com.
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Kidney Disease In Dogs: Symptoms And Treatments
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Kidneys play a critical role in the healthy function of a dog's body.
Not only are the kidneys responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, they help maintain proper hydration and electrolyte levels, as well as help with red blood cell production.
When your dog's kidneys are not functioning properly, the entire body's system becomes imbalanced, which can lead to toxic levels of waste in the body.
Chronic kidney disease develops over time, leading to the dog losing kidney function, so it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
Here's a look at what causes kidney disease, the symptoms to look out for and how best to treat it.
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What Is Kidney Disease in Dogs?Kidney failure can occur either gradually over time due to a chronic condition (such as chronic kidney disease, or CKD) or can be acute with sudden onset (such as acute kidney injury, or AKI).
Acute kidney failure can also develop into CKD.
"The most common form of kidney disease I see in my practice is chronic kidney (or renal) insufficiency, which is essentially a longer-term, age-related degeneration of kidney function in older patients," says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, D.V.M., veterinary medical advisor for Rover.
She adds that acute kidney failure can be "caused by anything from infections like leptospirosis to household toxins like grapes."
Other causes of AKI include the following:
While CKD can develop in dogs at any age, it's far more common in older dogs. In older animals at veterinary care facilities, CKD affects up to 10% of dogs. In the general population, CKD is estimated to affect roughly 1% of dogs, according to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Symptoms and Behaviors of Dogs With Kidney DiseaseOne of the hallmarks of kidney disease in dogs is an increase in drinking and urinating.
"They are two of the most common signs first noted by owners," says Dr. Preston Turano, D.V.M., veterinarian and consultant with Figo Pet Insurance. "Dogs may start having accidents inside the house or the water bowl may be emptied quicker or more frequently than usual."
Unfortunately, the progression of kidney disease in dogs is relatively slow, so symptoms can easily be missed. And, many of the symptoms are not exclusive to kidney disease and can mimic other conditions, Greenstein says.
As the disease progresses, dogs may also show the following signs of renal failure:
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists four stages of chronic kidney disease:
During Stages I and II, the dog should be evaluated every three to six months, if not sooner if problems develop. In late-Stage II and Stage III, dogs will need to be evaluated every two to three months. And in late-stage III and Stage IV, veterinarians are likely to recommend evaluations every one to two months.
It's also important to note that the progression of kidney disease can vary from dog to dog.
How to Test for Kidney Disease In DogsWhile increased urination and thirst are among the most common signs of kidney disease in dogs, those symptoms are also common in a number of other conditions.
It's best to take your pet to the vet immediately if you see those symptoms, Turano says.
"Your veterinarian will discuss your dog's clinical signs, perform an exam, and will recommend blood work that includes a complete blood count, blood chemistries and urinalysis," he says. "This will be the best starting point to rule out chronic kidney disease or other causes such as diabetes and liver disease, to name a few."
Pet parents need to take their dog to the veterinarian if they suspect their dog is exhibiting signs of kidney failure.
Other tests may also be required for a proper diagnosis including urinalysis, radiographs, ultrasounds, kidney biopsies and cultures.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Dogs With Kidney Disease?The life expectancy of a dog with chronic kidney disease will depend entirely on the underlying cause, as well as the stage of the disease.
"Early detection and appropriate treatment can significantly extend a dog's lifespan," says Dr. Jamie Richardson, BVetMed, head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Vet, a chain of veterinary facilities in the Northeast.
"In some cases, dogs can live several years with proper management, while others may have a shorter prognosis," Richardson adds.
In addition to early intervention, dogs will have a better prognosis if their owner is dedicated to ensuring their dog receives the proper care.
"It also depends on the commitment of the owners when following the recommended treatment plan and showing up for recheck appointments," Turano says.
As kidney disease progresses, owners will need to bring their dog to the vet for multiple follow-up visits that include blood tests, for blood test, urinalysis, and blood pressure checks to monitor the stage of the disease, Turano notes.
"These guide treatments so that owners can give their dog the best chance at a longer life," Turano adds.
Treatment Costs for Dogs With Kidney DiseaseThe total cost for treating kidney disease in dogs will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the stage of the renal disease, the dog's size and the chosen treatment option.
"On average, treatment costs can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more," Richardson says.
Dogs that are in Stages III or IV of kidney disease may require hospitalization with IV therapy, ultrasound and numerous lab tests, Turano notes. A couple of night's stay in an emergency pet hospital could be between $1,000 to $3,000, he adds.
Dogs that are in Stage II or early Stage III, the annual cost for managing the disease could be between $600 to $2,000, depending on how often they need lab work for monitoring, blood pressure checks, and whether they need a special diet or medications.
Richardson notes that that average total costs to treat kidney disease in dogs include the following:
"Your best bet is to continue regular exams with your veterinarian, which should be more frequent for senior dogs, and recommended health screening," Turano notes. "This helps with early detection which really can improve the dog's long-term prognosis."
Is Kidney Disease Covered by Pet Insurance?Whether your pet insurance covers treatment for kidney disease will depend entirely on your individual coverage plan, and whether your dog was diagnosed before or after the coverage started.
Owners should read their pet insurance coverage carefully.
"Given that kidney disease often requires ongoing, long-term management and follow-up testing, there may be limits per year or per condition on the amount an insurance company will pay out on claims," Greenstein says.
There are also some pet insurance companies that do cover pre-existing conditions with limitations.
Turano adds that pet owners with senior dogs should have a plan in place for the costs associated with their pet's care, whether it's a savings account or pet insurance.
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Is Kidney Disease Common in Senior Dogs? Kidney disease is relatively common in senior dogs.
"Aging is one of the primary risk factors for kidney disease in dogs," Richardson says. "Senior dogs should undergo regular veterinary check-ups to monitor their kidney function and detect any signs of the disease early."
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