ticks - Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

Pets and Travel

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Traveling with your pet this summer? Here are some helpful tips

Know the area you are traveling to and the health risks that might be present. For example, Lyme disease is endemic in some states.

Make sure you pet is current on any necessary vaccines. Allow enough time between vaccinations.

If you don’t already have your dog on heartworm prevention, get them tested and start prophylactic medication. Heartworms, which are spread by mosquitoes, are most prevalent in southern, mid- western and coastal states.

Make sure your pet is protected against fleas and ticks via an oral or topical preventative. The last thing anyone wants to bring back from vacation is a flea infestation.

Keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination and medical records with you when traveling.

Allow enough time to get a health certificate if necessary and check airline and destination regulations.

Make sure you have an adequate supply of your pet’s food and any medications it might need.

Talk with your veterinarian about having medication on hand, if your pet suffers from travel anxiety, or transient stress diarrhea or vomiting.

Lyme Disease in Hot Springs?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Do I need to worry about Lyme Disease in Hot Springs?

According to local and national disease prevalence maps, this area of South Dakota is not currently infested with the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis or deer tick). These are the ticks that transmit lyme disease. Black-legged ticks congregate more around coastal California, the Great Lakes area, the eastern US, and in the more humid southern states.

Dogs that travel to South Dakota from these areas can be bitten by a deer tick in another state and then be diagnosed with Lyme Disease in South Dakota thus giving the perception that it is found here. However, Brown Dog ticks and American Dog ticks are found throughout South Dakota. These ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia.

Topical or oral applications of flea and tick medications can greatly reduce the chance of your pet getting infested with ticks.

Safely Remove Ticks

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Sometimes a tick can be mistaken as a tumor or a wart at first glance, but closer inspection reveals 8 little legs sticking out of a plump body

Tick on a dog being removed with tweezers

Grasp the tick with tweezers or similar item and pull gently and firmly

They appear overnight. Sometimes they are mistaken for tumors or warts, but closer inspection reveals 8 little legs sticking out of a plump grayish-brown raisin like body filled with the blood of the animal they are attached to. Disgusting indeed! Here’s how to safely remove these vile creatures from your pet’s body.

Using tweezers, hemostat, or small needle nose pliers gently, but firmly grasp the head of the tick as close to your pet’s body as you possibly can. Next exert a slow, steady, gentle pressure pulling the tick away from your pet’s body. This should dislodge the tick’s head and body with a small piece of skin. Then wash the skin and your hands with an antiseptic as ticks carry a variety of bacteria and disease.

So, step by step, here’s how to remove a tick:

Step 1: Firmly and gently grasp the head of the tick as close to your pet’s body as you possibly can with tweezers, hemostat or small needle nose pliers
Step 2: Slowly, steadily and gently pull the tick away from your pet’s body
Step 3: Wash the skin and your hands with an antiseptic