Can dogs get sunburn and if so what do you do about it and I am freaking out about Lymes shot

[Jennifer and Jack]

I was outside for less then an hour today, It was in the mid 90s and I am sunburned pretty significantly and I was "careful" to try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Jack hair in general is thin but he has so much of it. I am concerned for his skin but I don't want to put any old sunblock on him because he will lick it, I am putting mushers secret on his paws to protect them a little but what do you all do for sunburn protection?

 

Plus with how sensitive his eyes are, I am worried about the sun hurting them... I wish he would wear sun glasses when we are on the beach but I know I just sound like a super freak!!!

 

I have read up on the new Lymes disease shot Jack is supposed to get on Monday. Everything I have read from a reputable place says that for the most part reactions to the shot have only been studied for the first 24 hours, however Cornell University has done a limited study but believes that the long term side effects of the shot are pretty significant, including getting all the symptoms of Lymes disease as well as Kidney failure.

 

If I could curse on the internet I would, and believe me I am cursing in my head.. Cornell is a very reputable place and so while we may not see any short term side effects of the shot, Cornell's overall disposition on the shot is to not get it. They said to check your dog for ticks daily and removed them if they are not on them for 48 hours, there is no chance of transmitting the disease.

 

I am getting cold feet and I feel sick to my stomach, How the Heaven is anyone ever supposed to know what to do with their dog and when the heck am I ever going to have peace?? So if I give him the shot and he has no bad reaction from it, am I going to worry forever that his kidneys are going to give out???

 

I hate worrying. Why do I read anything anyway???

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I did read once that dogs can get sunburned and even skin cancer like we do, but too that depends on exposure, intensity of sun, thickness of coat, etc. There was a sunscreen that was safe for dogs I had read about also, but I never really looked into it, sorry, no help there.

As for Lymes, how often are you out in wooded areas with Jack, and how prevalent is LD in your area? I am sure you check his coat often as well, so if that is true about the 48 hours you'd be pretty safe.  I agree it is a worry, but you can only make your best educated decision with a tincture of Gut reaction and do what you feel is best.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Jen- search sunscreen on DK there have been discussions on this before with some recommended products..  Human sunscreen is NOT good for dogs so just be aware of that as I am sure you already are:) 

 

As for Lymes, why is he getting this shot? R&B haven't had this....was it recommeded to you?

[Jennifer and Jack]

South Carolina is now considered a transitional state for the disease, All east cost states are at some risk for the disease, It was first discovered up North in a town actually named Lyme's disease. I have about 15 feet of woods that Jack is in, in the very back of my yard. He is on K9 Advantix and has not had a tick on him since he was a puppy and I took him off of Revolution.

 

I know that I could win the award for OCD worrying when it comes to Jack ( I swear I am the polar opposite with me, not going to the ER until I am half dead) My gut is telling me to not let him get the shot. I examine Jack from head to toe on a regular basis and I am sure I would find a tick on him if he was to get one, I just have a bad feeling about the shot all of a sudden. I am trying to figure out why. I don't want to do this to myself.. and I know me, I will worry forever that I made a mistake and that his body down the road will have a reaction like they said. Jack is not in a heavily wooded area here, no, I am not a woods kind of girl.

 

I am so grateful I am not a human parent, I would make my kid unstable and maladjusted by worrying so much, thankfully Jack has not had negative repercussions of my insanity and seems well balanced

 

I am going to read more on it.. Thanks for any input.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

I never got my lab a Lyme disease shot in Raleigh.  I kept her on Frontline and she DID get some ticks on her that I had to take out w/ a tweezers.  Jack is so little that I wouldn't myself let him be prancing around out in the woods.  There are also snakes in there.  Frankly, I heard of more PEOPLE than dogs that got Lyme's disease in Raleigh-two that were in John's office (DH) and it was very serious for them.  So be sure to check YOURSELF if you are in the woods.  Like I im'd you, I'd call NC State Veterinary School (before) I got the shot.  They are very helpful and a good land grant vet school.  You should be able to talk to an actual doctor.  I'd ask my daughter, who is a vet in Denver, but every area is different.  You are such a good D mom, you will be an awsome mother someday. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks DeeDee, I will not ever be a human mother, my health and genes are deadly combo and I will never pass them on to another human.  I am okay with that now that I have Jack

This is the link from Cornell. I will also check out the link you PMed me, Thank you for taking the time to do so and for reassuring me. I know I am OCD but I feel like I am responsible for every chemical and shot as well as the food and things that go in my dogs body and that it is my obligation not to blindly trust anyone.

 

Thanks again, Cornell the human hospital is the hospital in NYC that has helped me a great deal get straight with some of my health issues and I have a great deal of respect for their Vet program as well, Thank you again so much for being so kind to me.

 

http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1101

 

 

 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I know it's hard to decide what's best, we live in Wisconsin and do give the lymes shot to both dogs, sometimes Myla has a small reaction to the shot where she is very sensitive to the area for like 2 days but then she's fine. Yes, there is a sunscreen for dogs but I also cannot remember, if I remember par of it I thought that they said the sprays are not good to use. Good luck with your decison but I woud trust my vet or call for a second opinion??

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well I don't think I'd worry all that much about Jack getting sunburn unless he's spending lots of time out in the direct sunlight.  I've had dogs for over 30 years, and none of them ever got a sunburn.....and they spent a lot of time outside.  I suppose if a dog was left outside without a shady place to escape to, then I would be concerned.  As for the Lyme shot, I really think it depends on the risk of coming in contact with a Lyme tick.  In CT is is very prevalent (not just Lyme but other tick borne illnesses), so for me there's not much choice.  After Murphy's illness last Fall which was from an infected tick, I would never take the risk of not giving the Lyme vaccine.  He was very sick, and it was really frightening.  There was one day when I wasn't sure he'd survive.  So, if it were me I'd try to find out how common Lyme Disease is in your area.  If there was not a high likelihood of it, I would just keep him away from the woods, and not get the shot.  If it is common, I would take the risk and get the shot.  Oh, and I really do "get" the OCD thing....I'm a worrier too!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jen - Jack is a dog.  I've lived with multiple dogs over many years and I'm telling you - stop.  Many dogs live outside full time (sad) but it is just the truth and they some how manage to survive.  Much as you love Jack he isn't a human child and this constant worry is crazyness.  Being outside shouldn't cause him any problem unless you shaved his hair super short.  I'd maybe think about protecting his cute nose but other than that - he should be o.k. for a couple of hours on the beach or whatever.  As for the Lymes - are you out hiking through the woods?  Base the decision on that, but I agree this is more a concern for you than for Jack.  Girl, you need to relax a bit!  ;)

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

IMO if you live in city, not in the country and do not hike trails Jack's chances of contacting lyme disease are greatly reduced.  I live in the country surrounds by woods, there has been cases of lyme disease in my local area.  But most of these dogs have not been on a monthly preventative like my dogs.  When it's wet we have more ticks around, so for added protection gave the lyme vaccine this year to our small dogs also.  Have you ever found a tick on Jack or yourself?  I'm guessing probably not.  If it makes you feel better give the shot, but Jack will more than likely be okay if you use monthly preventatives, again IMO. 

A dog's hair has to be shave really short to get sunburned.  Not saying it hasn't happened to dog's with longer hair but chances of it happening are greatly decreased.  Dog's with hair that parts down the middle of their back do have an increased chance just like humans do.  If a dog gets hot they seek shelter out of the sun.  Protecting his nose is a good idea if out for long periods of time.  If he walks on concrete, asphalt or hot sand using mushers secret helps by putting a coating on the pads. 

Relax and enjoy Jack time is to short to spend worry.

[Jennifer and Jack]

You know, I need to not post every time I get a worry for Jack. My automatic response is to come on here and lay it out on the line. I realize how insane I look. I can't for the life of me figure out why every decision I make for him is so painful, so difficult.

 

When I was an ER nurse, I made very important decisions without batting an eye, I still in my job make very important decisions on patients. I guess because we all have our "baggage" that causes us to behave in our personal lives for one reason or another,

 

Someone just needs to knock me out cold, take the internet away from me and make me ignorant to every possible side effect and complication that comes from every single thing you do including the water you drink!!! I mean I researched every possible dog food possible for Jack until I settled on the one I thought was best for him, I didn't just give him something and hope for the best. I believe in education and not blindly doing something. If I am going to invest so much in what he eats, his social skills and training, why would I let the ball drop with his shots and just go with what my vet says, the same vet that sells Prescription diet food?

 

I fully am aware that Jack is a dog, I treat him like I treat any living thing, with respect, love and thoughtfulness, Way to much thoughtfulness, but that is the nature of who I am, I don't think I ever will change. Does Jack deserve less thought then another living thing? That is debatable. Good arguments for both especially now that I am watching a six week old baby and see how some things for Jack have to go on the back burner.

 

I  get it, I just wish their was a cure for it...Where you draw the line I don't know, but I think I need to stop posting so many of my fears and just deal with it myself. Not saying I am not going to post, just not my insanity.

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

jennifer...thought of you and jack when I saw this ad today from Christmas Tree Shops... probably too hot to be outside on the deck for too long....but cute chair!

But on a serious note, Louie had Lymes and was very sick for a short period of time and was  treated successfully with Doxycycline. We are in SE Pennsylvania and in a very high risk area. He gets the Vaccine, is on Frontline plus year round and wears a preventic collar when we are walking for a long hike. If SC is now a borderline state, you may take a wait and see approach....I know from your posts you worried about his other vaccines and had his titers drawn which showed his immunity!!! Yeah for that. Whatever your decision, don't second guess yourself...

[Jennifer and Jack]

I love that bed!!! So adorable..... You want to laugh? Jack has one.. except it is made for a baby, and loves it, I used it when we go out to ballgames or anywhere I can get him in a shady spot. He gets really hot really, really fast.

 

Thanks for being sweet