Tick & Lyme Disease Season

[Freedom]

From what I have researched, the Lyme vaccine is a waste of money, and I don't bother with it. There are so many strains of Lyme out there, and the vaccine can only cover 2 or 3. The likelihood of that being the strain in your area, or that your dog gets, is close to the chances of winning the Powerball.

I do use prevention, Frontline Plus, and mine get a 1/4 tablespoon of minced garlic in their food daily. I've seen a tic walking on a dog now and then, but never had one bite my dogs.

We walk regularly at Bridgham Farm (I've posted 4 photo threads). The folks with Labs, Boston terriers, etc. all say they get home and spend half an hour removing tics from their dogs. They wonder how I do it, with 5. I don't, I have not had to!

Yes, everyone says this is a banner year for the insects. I'm not enthusiastic about THAT at all!

[Desert Arabian]

From what I have researched, the Lyme vaccine is a waste of money, and I don't bother with it. There are so many strains of Lyme out there, and the vaccine can only cover 2 or 3. The likelihood of that being the strain in your area, or that your dog gets, is close to the chances of winning the Powerball.

There are many tick borne illnesses - I think ticks are just as disgusting as mosquitos (the #1 disease carrier). Wisconsin is one of the worst states with Lyme Disease and I personally know many people and dogs affected by the disorder. I do not want to take any chances of my dog catching it, so I will do whatever I can to try to prevent it. No vaccine is 100% effective but it is still worth getting one if the risk of contracting it is high, imo - for both people and dogs. I chose to get her vaccinated against Leptospirosis as well, since we frequent areas where she can easily contract it. Just a slight peace of mind knowing that hopefully she is OK and will never have to deal with it.



Also, since we are on the topic of ticks- if you ever want to remove one easily without fear of ripping off the head - take a dab of vasoline and smother the tick with it. Wait a few minutes and the tick should back out if feeding, ticks breathe through their skin while feeding so if you cover them with vasoline they cannot get oxygen and need to come out to catch a breath.

[Bonny]

Both dogs got their immunizations this morning & tested clean for Lyme disease & in another three weeks go back for another shot. Lyme's is nothing to mess with especially if your dogs run off the trail into the bush. We have 500 some acres to run on some of our own property & neighboring property so it covers a large area with fields, wet lands, ridges, & woods.

I guess to each his own on this decision. There are pros & cons to everything.

The minced garlic sounds like something to try along with the dryer towels. I know some outfitters put vinegar in their horses drinking water when they are on dry lot before the bug season & say it helps ward off the bug problem.

[Petsrmyluv]

When I go to buy all my flea and tick products and vaccines, I buy them at Drs. Foster and Smith. They have the best prices and selection around.

[pomtzu]

I use Advantix II on the pups, and previously had been buying it thru a supply house in Australia at a very good price. However, I found it cheaper this year from Foster & Smith. I get the 12 dose package for 11-20 pound dogs, and it was $117 on line - even cheaper than what they had advertised in their catalog. Of course after I ordered it I found it at Petco for $107. Just my luck! I don't know why anyone buys thru 1-800 Pet Meds - they are expensive on everything!!!! Guess people fall for the t.v. ads and don't do their homework and comparison shop.

[Bonny]

I got a good deal at the Vets office. They sent out coupons from the company where you buy two doses & get the third dose free all prepackaged. The stuff is working good at keeping the ticks off. Both dogs have had two doses so far. It has been really wet & warm the last month so good breeding season for the ticks. I have another set of coupons to if I need to purchase more doses into the midsummer & Autumn. The early spring & late fall is when I have noticed ticks at their worst.

[wishbone]

On my Aunts place, there are lots of ticks and fleas during this season and they need to hire tech to spray on nearby trees to kill and prevent ticks coming close to their home and dogs.