Flea and tick prevention for dogs?

[EddieWalker]

We had a dog suffer from tick paralysis. It's when a pregnant brown tick attaches to a dog that has an issue with its immune system. First day he seemed clumsy. Second day he kept falling down, or tripping when he played. Third day he couldn't get up.

We took him to the vet and found one tick. Vet gave him anti bodies and steroids. He didnt get any worse, but recovery took over a year.

If we had waited another day, his lungs would have been next to shut down. When we posted what happened to him on FB, we learned that 3 friends lost their dogs to this. It's a lot more common then we realized. Sadly, most people dont realize its life threatening, or what's happening.

The bite from the tick causes the lining of the nerves to dissolve. It's like MS. But it progresses from the exterior muscles to the internal ones in just a few days. Once it affects the lungs, which is usually the first organ affected, there is no way to save the dog.

We now use Nexgard on all our dogs. There is a concern that it might lead to heart issues, but that's remote and the ticks are everywhere.

 

[ljjhouser]

We had a dog suffer from tick paralysis. It's when a pregnant brown tick attaches to a dog that has an issue with its immune system. First day he seemed clumsy. Second day he kept falling down, or tripping when he played. Third day he couldn't get up.

We took him to the vet and found one tick. Vet gave him anti bodies and steroids. He didnt get any worse, but recovery took over a year.

If we had waited another day, his lungs would have been next to shut down. When we posted what happened to him on FB, we learned that 3 friends lost their dogs to this. It's a lot more common then we realized. Sadly, most people dont realize its life threatening, or what's happening.

The bite from the tick causes the lining of the nerves to dissolve. It's like MS. But it progresses from the exterior muscles to the internal ones in just a few days. Once it affects the lungs, which is usually the first organ affected, there is no way to save the dog.

We now use Nexgard on all our dogs. There is a concern that it might lead to heart issues, but that's remote and the ticks are everywhere.

That is terrible. And good to know - Thanks for the info. We live in the woods and ticks have always been a concern before we changed to Nexgard. It is somewhat expensive, but cheaper with a year supply and rebate and 2 free months. BUT is sure is worth it. Thanks for the post, Good info.

 

[fitter1]

Got rid of dog.... tics gone

 

[ArlyA]

Got rid of dog.... tics gone

If people leave the tic infested area, are you still bothered by them? We use trio on our mutts.

 

[fitter1]

I was only joking, I love dogs grew up with them and so did my kids but even with the flee and tic collars the dogs would bring them into the house. I would love to have another lab and shepherd mix some day but not now.

 

[tallyho8]

Get a flea-proof dog.

Sounds humorous and I don't know where you would get one today but I got a flea-proof Bluetick at a coonhunt in Pine Bluff Arkansas in 1982. He was from Michigan. His skin had a natural oily residue and was so tough and thick that you could barely get a syringe needle through it.

I had him and 3 generations of his descendants for over 20 years and never saw a flea on any of them. I had other unrelated hounds too at the same time with flea problems. I never heard of anyone else with a dog like that.

 

[Busby Yzz]

I have two dogs and we inspect them every day, no exceptions. I dropped cedar chips here and there in the garden so that minimize the flea invasion. If they already have fleas, I make an apple cider vinegar homemade spray to get rid of them.