Tick Extermination

[Karen]

My yellow lab, Andy has conditions reflective of tick paralysis. He started coughing as he had kennel cough two months ago. Along with the cough, his breathing began raspy. I have taken him to the vet, done the tests and administered two rounds of medication to no avail. The problem appears to be the present ticks. My question is what is the best approach, a professional exterminator, or tackle it myself?

Yikes, that's scary. Does he go for walks in areas with tall grass, or where do you think the ticks are coming from?

I could ask this question tomorrow on the "Ask the Vets" radio show I host if you want!

[pomtzu]

His symptoms do not sound like tick paralysis to me - not just a cough and raspy breathing. Don't put blinders on and think that this is the answer. Have the heartworm test, and have him checked for a heart murmur and possible congestive heart failure. I'm not trying to scare you, but I lost one of my dogs last year to heart failure, and he had the cough and raspy breathing, so I do know what I'm talking about. Dogs can live for many years with this condition tho, with the help of medication, weight control, and a good diet.

[jason ring]

His symptoms do not sound like tick paralysis to me - not just a cough and raspy breathing. Don't put blinders on and think that this is the answer. Have the heartworm test, and have him checked for a heart murmur and possible congestive heart failure. I'm not trying to scare you, but I lost one of my dogs last year to heart failure, and he had the cough and raspy breathing, so I do know what I'm talking about. Dogs can live for many years with this condition tho, with the help of medication, weight control, and a good diet.

After posting my concern of tick paralysis, I reviewed the tests which came up empty. Andy was tested for heartworm, tick fever, lyme disease, anaplasma, and desert disease. You nailed it, I jumped prematurely unless tick fever testing doesn't cover tick paralysis, which I'm assuming it does. I am concerned at this point. The last visit with Andy's vet wasn't assuring. He is eleven, with the exception of his breathing and coughing, and the presence of ticks, he is the same as he was when he was one. The rescue dog, Amos which probably had ticks has minor respiratory issues. I feel a little better after re reading your last sentence. Thank You.

[pomtzu]

What an adorable picture. And I love the names - Amos & Andy. Yes - I know who they were - so I guess I'm telling my age too.

[Jessika]

Has your vet taken chest x-rays?

[jason ring]

Has your vet taken chest x-rays?

Andy's Vet suggested chest x rays twice. The first suggestion came after the tests came up negative. The second suggestion came two weeks later when I asked advice for the ten day car trip I had planned with Andy months prior, that was three weeks away. He could advise the trip with the stipulation that x rays be taken prior.

[Karen]

The vets on the radio show yesterday all say a chest x-ray should be the next step. That can help diagnose any number of things that could be at work, and they listed too many for me to remember. They all agreed it is in no way tick paralysis, by the way! When I get the audio file from the engineer i will email it to you, okay? There are many things it could be ...

They also said it is nearly impossible to eliminate ticks in the environment outdoors, but there are good tick preventatives for your dogs on the market - and one other thing they mentioned is removing the ticks as quickly as possible. Did you know it takes up to 6 hours of a tick being attached to your pet for it to be able to transmit any disease? And as Andy is a fairly smooth-coated dog, running your hands over his body every time he comes in, and making a tick check just part of your routine, would be a good habit to get into.

Also, they mentioned that all indicators are this is going to be a bad year for ticks, even more than ever before, and in more areas, so this is habit we should probably all get into!

[jason ring]

Yikes, that's scary. Does he go for walks in areas with tall grass, or where do you think the ticks are coming from?

I could ask this question tomorrow on the "Ask the Vets" radio show I host if you want!

I would be more than happy to pose the question regarding the best approach to exterminating ticks. As mentioned Andy is eleven, though his spirit and undefinable friendship have remained constant. I'm not trying to dramatize the situation, although when the ticks became present so did his condition which puts his health in danger. Andy's Vet wasn't able positively identify the reason for his condition. I'm all ears. Jason Ring 541 390 1772 Thank you