Category: Seasonal Safety

Concord Animal Hospital’s Tips on Ticks

5/14/2019

Keep your pet safe from ticks and tick-borne illnesses

When pets like Harriett go out to play, they're exposed to more than just fresh air, fun, and a little bit of mud (or really a lot of mud). Our dogs and outdoor cats are also exposed to plenty of pesky parasites, such as ticks and the diseases they carry. Yuck!

What Kind of Ticks Are in Our Area?
There are three main types of ticks in the Concord, Massachusetts area:

Deer Ticks, an estimated 50-70% of whom carry Lyme disease causing bacteria!
Dog Ticks
Lone Star Ticks

All three types of ticks carry diseases such as Lyme, Anasplasmosis and Powassan. All three diseases can make people and our canine companions very sick.
While people follow precautions for keeping themselves safe from ticks such as using bug spray and wearing long pants and socks, it’s important to do the same for our four-legged friends, too.

How Can I Keep My Dog Safe from Tick-Borne Diseases?
Our veterinarians at Concord Animal Hospital strongly recommend using tick preventatives such as Bravecto or Simparica. Some clients double-up with a chewable preventative and a repellent collar. Talk to one of our veterinarians to determine the best product for your pet given their health history, potential exposure to ticks and lifestyle. Use your preventative all year long!

Please use a tick preventative year-round!
Frost and freezing temps DO NOT kill ticks. Ticks are dormant but come back to life in only 40 degrees - a high often achieved even in the coldest months. Our veterinarians see plenty of dogs with tick-borne illnesses throughout the winter.
Our vets also suggest taking added precautions such keeping your dogs out of long grass or and away from undergrowth. These areas are where dogs like to sniff and explore, but they are also prime hangouts for ticks.

After a walk, the American Kennel Association recommends checking some spot you might forget to look, such as inside ears and between toes, just to make sure your pet didn’t bring any ticks home with them.

Keep a running list of questions on ticks and any
other concerns to ask during your next vet visit!

Schedule a check up!

What Do I Do If I Find a Tick on My Dog?
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it as soon as possible! If it hasn’t attached itself yet, there is no risk of tick-borne illness for your pet. If it has attached, grasp the tick with a pair of tweezers as close to the site of attachment as you can and pull straight back.
If you have found an attached tick, particularly one that is engorged, the MSPCA advises noting the date and time to discuss with your veterinarian.
Continue watching for the following symptoms*:

New joint pain, which may manifest as reluctance to stand or lie down
Crying painfully
Walking gingerly or limping, especially on more than one limb or on a different limb from one day to the next
Lethargy
Lack of appetite

*NOTE: Symptoms may not appear until several weeks or even months after exposure. If you observe any of these symptoms following a tick bite, contact us immediately to make an appointment. Typically tick borne-illnesses respond well to a course of antibiotics, so don’t delay in contacting us!

baby it's cold outside!

12/11/2018

Concord Animal Hospital's 5 Tips to Keep Your Pet Healthy This Winter

Winter officially starts on December 21, but chilly weather has already arrived!

As part of the Concord Animal Hospital's commitment to keeping your fuzzy and furry family members happy and well, we wanted to help you bone up on your winter pet health and safety. Here are five tips to protect your pets and keep them comfortable all season long:

Get to your vet. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cold weather can exacerbate medical conditions such as arthritis. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances such as Cushing’s disease often have a harder time regulating their body temperature. Make sure your pet has had their annual wellness exam so they’re ready for the cold.
Watch the thermometer. Dogs and cats can experience frostbite and hypothermia just like humans. While their fur coats do offer some protection, you should limit your pet’s outdoor time in below-freezing temperatures. Consider a sweater or coat for your dog, particularly for dogs with short coats, older dogs or puppies. For your own safety, we don’t recommend trying to put a sweater or coat on your outdoor cat!
Protect those paws. Winter brings a number of hazards for dog paws, such as iceballs getting stuck between the toes, as well as de-icers and other chemicals irritating and cracking paw pads. Clipping the hair between your dog’s toes can minimize iceballs. To protect your dog’s paws from damage from sidewalk and street salt and chemicals, wipe down your dog’s feet after walks or consider booties for winter strolls.
Keep bathing to a minimum (no complaints from Fido). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) advises bathing pets as little as possible once winter arrives. Frequent washing can remove essential oils and dry the skin. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a moisturizing shampoo or rinse for baths over the next few months. Our own Dr. Hardie recommends dry skin shampoos for pets that include fatty acids to help preserve skins natural oils in the frigid temperatures. Avoid shaving your pet down to the skin in the winter, since a longer coat will provide warmth in the chilly weather.
Maintain a healthy weight. Many pets will spend less time outside during the winter, which means they need fewer calories. Others clock more time outside and will need more calories to supply the body heat and energy they’ll need to stay warm. Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s appropriate nutrition and weight during the winter.

Of course, the most important tip we always give our patients is know when to seek help. The AVMA lists the following hypothermia symptoms to watch for: whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slowing or ceasing movement, weakness or burrowing in warm places. Frostbite may not be recognized for a few days after damage has set in.

If you suspect hypothermia or frostbite, contact our office immediately at 978.369.3503.

Stay warm and have fun!

Concord Animal Hospital’s Tips on Ticks

baby it's cold outside!

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