5 Effective Ways to Control and Prevent Dog Ticks

Dog ticks are not only annoying, they’re also dangerous carriers of a wide variety of diseases, posing threat not only to your dog but also to you and your family. It’s imperative to do something about it right away. 

Here are 5 effective ways to get rid of dog ticks. 

Over-the-counter topical medication 
Using a spot-on treatment is usually the fastest way to control dog ticks. You may purchase an over-the-counter topical medication from a pet store, online pharmacy, or from your vet. These medications can control ticks for up to one month. Though most are effective, it’s still a must to find out which brand is the best. Carefully read the label too before using. Don’t use anything without first consulting your vet.

  

Oral medication

Some vets give tick-infested dogs with pills that can kill not only adult ticks but also immature ones to put an end to the tick’s life cycle. The great thing about oral medication is that you don’t have to worry about kids coming into contact with dogs after administration, unlike with the topical medication.

  

Shampoos

Bathe your dog with a shampoo that comes with a medicated ingredient that kills ticks in an instant. It’s the less expensive choice, which is ideal if you’re a little tight on the budget. It can be labor-intensive though especially during peak season of ticks, as you’d need to repeat the process about every two weeks. The effect doesn’t last as long as the two previous options.

Tick Dips

A tick dip refers to a concentrated chemical that’s diluted with water and then applied on the dog’s coat. The chemical is not to be rinsed off afterwards. Since it can be very strong, it shouldn’t be used for treating young puppies or pregnant or nursing dogs.

Tick Collars 
Tick collars, as the name suggests, are worn around the neck. They’re useful for protecting your dog from ticks but only from the neck up. Be sure to read the label and follow instructions carefully before putting a tick collar on your dog. 

With these practical tips, you can finally say goodbye to annoying little dog ticks that have been pestering your beloved pooch.

Distemper in Dogs: Know Its Symptoms and Treatment

Distemper in dogs is a serious contagious disease that has caused many fatalities worldwide. It is caused by a virus called canine distemper, which belongs to the paramyxovirus group. In the same group belongs the virus that causes measles in humans. 

This disease affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. It is transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions, fecal material, and urine of infected dogs. It can also be passed on through objects contaminated by the virus. Unvaccinated dogs especially at 6 to 12 weeks of age are at highest risk of this viral infection. 

The initial signs usually appear six to nine days after infection. At first, a dog will have a fever spike that can reach up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 40.5 degrees Celsius. A second fever spike will then be accompanied by other signs like restlessness, loss of appetite, and watery discharge from nose and eyes. 

After a few days, the watery discharge becomes thick and sticky. At this stage, there may be other signs like vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough, and pus blisters on the abdomen. The ill dog typically gets better within one to two weeks but then goes on a relapse. By this time, bacterial invasion will have occurred, causing gastrointestinal and respiratory complications. 

The condition worsens as the illness progresses two to three weeks after exposure. Head shaking, chewing movements of the jaw, slobbering, and seizures similar to epilepsy are commonly seen. Some dogs develop distemper myoclonus, which is a condition that involves rhythmic muscle contractions that affects most body parts especially the head. The involuntary jerking is usually accompanied by pain. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper in dogs. However, treatment options are available to alleviate symptoms and prevent new infections. Some examples include:

• Antibiotics to prevent pneumonia

• IV fluids to prevent dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting

• Anti-seizure medications

• Steroids for severe seizures 

If you have a pet dog, the best thing is to prevent infection with a distemper shot. This vaccination is generally administered in combination with parainfluenza, leptospirosis, canine parvovirus, and adenovirus 2. Distemper in dogs is a serious fatal condition that all dog pet owners should be aware of.