Canine Fleas and Ticks - page 2

Checking Your Dog For Fleas and Ticks

Check your dog often for fleas and ticks by play petting and inspecting. I always have the following handy when we are conducing an inspection.

• Tweezers
• Jar filled with rubbing alcohol.
• Tissues
• Cotton balls

Keep in mind that not all ticks carry a disease causing organism, and just because you had a tick bite does not mean you will get Lyme disease. Even if a tick is a carrier, it's bite may not always cause the development of disease, but proper caution and care always is crucial in prevention. If you see any abnormal rashes after a tick bite, you should consult your doctor or your dog's vet immediately.

Note: Ticks may carry various infectious organisms that can transmit diseases to cats and dogs, including the following (listed with possible symptoms):

• babesiosis: lethargy, appetite loss, weakness, pale gums
• ehrlichiosis: high fever, muscle aches
• Lyme disease: lameness, swollen joints, fever, poor appetite, fatigue, and vomiting (some infected animals show no symptoms)
• tick paralysis in dogs: gradual paralysis, seen first as an unsteady gait from uncoordinated back legs (some infected dogs don't develop paralysis)." Dixie Farley- FDA Consumer magazine (July-August 1996)

Being hikers, we always encounter ticks and carry our tweezers and a small jar of alcohol on each trip! Use a fine-point tweezers. Never squeeze the tick’s body. Try to grab it (with your tweezers) where its mouth-parts enter the skin and pull gently without letting go. It will eventually releases its hold by withdrawing its barbed mouth-part from your skin.

Do not try to pull it out within seconds – proper tick removal will take time and needs patience. Keep an eye on any abnormal rashes and consult your doctor if necessary. Once you have successfully removed the tick from your skin or your pets skin, we suggest that you store it in a small jar filled with alcohol for a few days before disposing it.

Good luck and stay flea & tick free!
Sevi Kay

RESOURCES:

Earth-friendly flea and tick products:
Grrroom Dog
Tel: (866) 686-3626 / (201) 854-3001
www.cybercanine.com/fleaandticks.htm

Organic & Wild Crafted Essential Oils and Hydrosols:
Appalachian Valley
138 Walnut Street
Friendsville, Maryland 21531
Tel: (888) 907-6457/ (301) 746-4630
Fax: (301) 746-4633
www.av-at.com

Cats and Aromatherapy Education
Lavender Cat
www.thelavendercat.com

HERBS:

Blessed Herbs
1-800-489-HERB
blessedherbs.com/mainframea.html

GOOD BOOKS:

• Herbs for Pets by Mary L. Wulff-Tilford
• Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs: Safe and Effective Alternative Treatments and Healing Techniques from the Nations Top Holistic Veterinarians by Martin Zucker
• The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat by Martin Goldstein D.V.M., Martin Goldstein
• The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties by Jean Valnet

NOTE: I do not use or recommend using essential oils internally and suggest you contact a holistic veterinarian to guide you in case you do. Each dog is different so always involve your trusted veterinarian when introducing a new diet as certain herbs may cause allergic reactions however natural or organic they may be. The above recipes are for dogs only. Never use aromatherapy products on cats, birds or other exotic pets and animals.

Always keep essential oils away from pets, kids and store them in a cool dark place and in glass containers. Never use essential oils undiluted "neat" on skin or coat. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice and can never replace veterinary care and treatments.

© 2001 Sevi Kay - Mundo L.L.C

About this Contributor: Sevi Kay is a former chef, crafter and a botanical dog products formulator and the founder of Mundo, L.L.C.