Parasite Prevalence Maps

[F, Calla & Luca]

The Companion Animal Parasite Council has produced new maps to show the prevalence of certain parasites in the US. There is also a lot of information on various parasites including life cycles, diagnosis of infection, prevention and treatment.  Here is a link:

http://www.capcvet.org/parasite-prevalence-maps/

[Adina P]

Don't remind me of this.  I can't keep shoes on my daughter for the life of me.  She is the queen of barefootedness!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was the same way, Adina, and I never got worms or anything else from going barefoot.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I still do a lot. Not so much outside anymore but occasionally. As long as you don't have animals with some of these parasites like hookworm it should be OK : ) I'm beginning to think like Jared, life was much simpler.

[Adina P]

And really with kids they will find a way to get dirt onto their skin somehow, so whether hands or bare feet or bare crawling knees...

[GBK]

This is great, thanks F!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm not typically paranoid about my dog's health, but I am really worried about it this week.  If we breeze by, it was only luck.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You just need to wait it out. If he gets sick at least you will know what to look for.

[Trudy Harlow]

I'm a little perplexed by the statement under the "Determine My Dog's Risk" button that the risk tick-borne infection is dependent "most importantly on...parasite/infection prevention."  It is my understanding that a tick on a dog needs to bite that dog before the flea and tick medicine can be effective.  In that bite, infection can be passed.  My belief is that the tick protection offered by these meds is primarily for the humans, since the bite on the dog, while possibly infecting the dog, will also kill the tick.  Therefore, my dog's risk is the same, regardless of whether he's on the prevention medication.  That would explain why we hear of so many dogs on the meds still getting Lyme.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't exactly understand what you are saying. The tick needs to be attached for 24-48 hours before they pass the parasite. I don't understand that but everything I've read says that So if the tick dies soon after biting the animal the transmission should not occur.

http://www.capcvet.org/capc-recommendations/lyme-disease/

[Trudy Harlow]

Well, that is good to know.  I'm wondering now how long it takes the poison we've put into our dog to kill the tick!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not sure. But I don't think the tick "poison" is the bad part. It is the solution it's in that I hate to put om my dogs, but I do.

[Trudy Harlow]

True enough.  Still, I'd like to know how long it takes to kill those ticks (and fleas).  I've found dead ticks on my dog, BTW -- but never any live ones.