MYTHS VS FACTS: THE TRUTH ABOUT TICKS

Myth #1:

The best way to remove a tick is with a lit match, fingernail polish or petroleum jelly.

Fact:

None of these methods cause the tick to "back out" and all of them may actually increase the risk of infection.  Using tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out gently OR using a product like the "Tick Twister" is the best way to remove a tick.

Myth #2:

Lyme disease is the only illness that ticks can transmit to pets, & humans.

Fact:

Lyme is the most widely known but there are many others, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Erlichiosis, as well as some others.

Myth #3

If I find a tick on myself or a family member, Lyme and other diseases can be ruled out with a blood test.

Fact:

Lab results for tick-borne illness in people are often negative and require a follow up test weeks later to confirm infection.  Many people & pets don't experience any symptoms of tick borne illnesses, especially in the early stages of the disease.

Myth #4

Ticks aren't a problem in the winter when it's too cold outside.

Fact:

In most areas of the country high season for ticks runs from April to November.  However year-round preventives are recommended, some tick species can move indoors and are in closer contact with pets and people, while others can survive in a dormant state in the colder weather.

Myth #5

Ticks live in trees, so long as I don't live near or visit a wooded area I don't have to worry.

Fact:

Ticks live on the ground no matter the location (urban or rural).  They typically crawl up from grass blades and migrate upward which is why they are often found on the head or scalp.

Myth #6

Ticks are insects

Fact:

Ticks are actually a species of parasite called arachnids belonging to the same family as mites.

Simple preventive measures and understanding are the best ways to stay safe.  Prompt removal of ticks can go a long way to preventing disease.

Information courtesy of DogsAndTicks.com

Posted 29th May by Maxville Vet Clinic

RECOGNIZING, TREATING, AND PREVENTING EAR INFECTIONS.

Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Canine Ear Infections

Written on 11/22/2013 by Brandy Arnold in Staying Healthy

All dogs tend to have a natural amount of yeast and bacteria that grow in their ears. But, without regular cleanings and proper ear care, an infection can take place – especially in our floppier-eared friends. A yeast or bacterial overgrowth can result in an intense irritation for your pooch. The moment you discover the early signs that your pet is uncomfortable or in pain, it is your responsibility to deal with the situation properly. After all, your four legged friend relies on you completely.
Warning Signs of Canine Ear Infection
·         Discharge in the ears (usually yellow and pasty, or black and chunky)
·         Noticeably strong or chalky odor
·         Excessive rubbing or scratching of the ears
·         Swelling and redness in the inner ear flap and canal
·         Tendency to shake or tilt the head to the side
·         Pain or oversensitivity to the touch of Fido’s ears
·         Unusual irritable behavior
While bacterial infections normally involve redness, swelling, discharge, pungent smell, or pain; yeast infections, on the other hand, are often recognized by redness, swelling, discharge, chalky smell, dryness, scaling, and intense itching. The irritation can also spread to the other parts of a dog’s body like his face and feet.
Treatment Options and Preventive Techniques
· Before you assume that your pet is inflicted with ear infection, you need to rule out first the possibility of the symptoms being likely caused by ear trauma, fleas, ear mites, tumors, or foreign bodies.
· If you bring your dog to the clinic, your vet will most likely use a device called an otoscope to look down into your dog’s ear canal and find out the exact degree of inflammation your pooch is dealing with. A sample of the bacterial or yeast overgrowth may be pulled out using a cotton swab. The specimen will then be smeared onto a slide, stained, and examined under a microscope in order to determine whether the infection is caused by yeast or bacteria.
· For bacterial ear infection, your vet will most likely prescribe medications to kill the bacteria and restore your dog’s ear health. Common treatments include Otomax ear drops, Epi-Otic flush, Cephalexin antibiotic, and maybe Temeral-P which is a kind of steroid. For yeast infections, he might provide you with Mometamax ear drops, Epi-Otic flush, or even Temeral-P.
· To help you keep your pooch from developing any of the two types of ear infections, keep your dog’s ears clean, dry, a free of any debris. And, provide him with high-quality, healthy diet as well as adequate exercise. As much as possible, dry your pooch’s ears each time he has been exposed to water. There are specially formulated ear cleansers for dogs that both clean and dry out the ear canal which are a necessity for dogs that swim often and much.
· Most dogs will develop an ear infection or two in their lifetime. However, if your dog tends to develop these often, discuss possible food allergies with your veterinarian, as this is a known cause of frequent and recurring ear infections.

SOLVING ALLERGIES: ALLERGY FOOD

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/grain-free-dog-foods-solving-yeast-and-skin-issues/

Grain Free Dog Foods: Solving Yeast And Skin Issues

Today’s cat and dog owners are becoming more savvy than just a few years ago. They’re starting to pay attention to food labels because they want the best for their animals. So they read the labels and they choose foods that they believe will give their pet a long and healthy life.

A recent trend is the move toward grain-free foods. By tracking retail pet food sales, GfK reports that grain-free dog foods saw a 28% spike in 2013. ”We see the growth of grain-free foods – and natural pet products generally – as part of a larger trend toward humanization of pets,” said Maria Lange, senior product manager of GfK’s Retail and Technology team. “Consumers are clearly comfortable splurging on pets they see as valued family members, not just everyday animals.”

And that’s where it all goes wrong…

Pet food companies are recognizing our desire to move away from harmful grains. And why wouldn’t we? An overwhelming percentage of dogs suffer from yeast and skin disease.

“Grains and other starches have a negative impact on gut health, creating insulin resistance and inflammation” says holistic veterinarian, Dr Jodie Gruenstern. “It’s estimated that up to 80% of the immune system resides within the gastrointestinal system; building a healthy gut supports a more appropriate immune response. The importance of choosing fresh proteins and healthy fats over processed, starchy diets (such as kibble) can’t be overemphasized.”

Yeast is a fungus that’s always present on pets as part of the normal flora of the body, both internally and externally. When the immune system becomes depressed, or when the dog is fed starchy foods, the yeast will proliferate in the hair follicles and throughout the body.

So pet owners with itchy pets want to keep them off harmful steroids and are rightfully looking at their pet’s food as a potential cause. Pet owners now know that grains feed yeast, and with the explosion of itchy pets these days, pet food companies are making a lot of money by selling them grain-free foods.

But here’s the kicker: yeast and allergy symptoms aren’t caused by grains, they’re caused by starches.

Starches are complex carbohydrates that turn into sugar when metabolized in the body. Do you know what yeast loves to eat? Sugar!

Starches are found not only in rice, corn and wheat, but in potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes – all of those ingredients found in grain-free goods.

You see, there’s one really big problem with kibble: they can’t make it without starch. That starch is not only cheap to source, but it’s necessary to hold the kibble together. Without starch, your bag of grain-free dog food would be a bag of dust.

So pet food manufacturers can call those foods whatever they want – but those grain-free foods, expensive veterinary allergy foods and super premium foods all have one common denominator: lots of starch!

So how much starch is in your pet’s diet?

Check out that chart at the top of the page – we made it to help you understand what could be fuelling your dog’s itchy skin. (source: Borggreve et al; Murray et al.)

FYI: Rice didn’t make the chart as it has the highest levels at 810g/kg. We just figured everyone knows rice is the starchiest of all… right?