What a winter we had, especially the month of March. And of course, April was not typical spring temperatures either. In fact, it was downright cold for most of the month.
Finally, we are in the heart of spring, with summer not too long away. We are all so happy to get out of the house and take our pups on some nice, long hikes. As much as we are excited to finally shed the winter clothes and enjoy the outdoors, we now have outdoor troubles to worry about. By that I mean: the dreaded ticks. Not a topic most of us want to think about.
Here is some helpful information for you:
Where are the common places dogs pick up ticks?
Dogs typically get ticks from walking through high grass, shrubs and wooded areas. Ticks will typically hang out at about 18-24 inches off the ground waiting for the next warm body to brush by. Did you know that ticks can live well over a year without feeding? They will lie and wait and wait and wait until an animal/human walks by the plant material that they are hanging onto, and from there climb onto their food source.
What do ticks do once they find your pup?
Ticks are NOT jumpers. Once a tick finds a host it typically starts from the bottom – feet and legs — and crawls upward. They usually land around the head, neck and ears where the skin is thinner. That is where they will bite, latch on, and hang on for days.
Once the tick bites its host, it can take around 24 hours for the germs, infections and viruses to make their way into the tick’s salivary glands to be released into the host. This is why it is so important to do a daily tick check.
How can I avoid having my pet pick up a tick while we are out?
Your pet is less likely to pick up a tick when they are walking with you on a path. When you can, avoid off-leash hiking in areas where there is high grass, dense undergrowth. Those areas encourage dogs to sniff and investigate their surroundings, and they can easily pick up a tick waiting at the top of the grass or brush for them to pass by.
What is the best way to remove a tick:
IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL to remove ticks properly.
It is best to go right to your vet to remove ticks unless you have a lot of experience removing ticks and are confident in disposing of them safely. Making an incorrect or unsuccessful attempt can cause more problems than if you left the tick alone until you can get your pet to the vet to have it removed properly. For example, you could easily break off the tick’s head, leaving it behind embedded in your pet’s skin.
If you feel you must remove the tick yourself as you are unable to get to a vet, pointy tweezers should be your weapon of choice. Using pointed tweezers, grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward quickly. It’s important to squeeze the tick by its head only to avoid the risk of pushing the infected saliva into the bite wound.
3 common tick diseases in New England and possible symptoms:
LYME DISEASE:
Humans will most likely get a “Bulls eye” rash, but dogs are different and will not display a rash. Look for: random, sudden onset leg lameness and leg shifting that lasts more than a day, loss of appetite, depression, tiredness and reluctance to move.
ANAPLASMOSIS:
Watch for loss of appetite, lethargy, lameness, reluctance to move, neck pain, neurological signs, bruising of gums and belly and nose bleeds.
EHRLICHIA:
Keep an eye out for depression, lack of energy, loss of appetite, discharge in the eyes and nose, nose bleeds, bruising on the gums and belly, lameness and joint pain.
These are just a few possible symptoms. The best rule of thumb: know your pet. Watch for any changes in them physically or emotionally. Remember, you are your pets’ best advocate. You know when they are not feeling well. They are not able to tell us what is happening. If you see any changes be sure to take them to your veterinarian.
WITH TICK BITES, PREVENTION IS KEY:
Always do a complete body check for yourself and your dog after you have been out with your dog on a walk or hike. This is especially Important if you walk in areas known for high tick population.
Take preventative measures to keep your pet from being exposed to ticks. These measures include topical applications (lotions, cremes), tick collars and even some oral medications.
Consult with your veterinarian to find the optimum choice for your dog.
Being educated about ticks and following some simple rules will allow you to enjoy your walks with your pups…. Here’s to nice weather! Hope to see you and your pups on the Trailside!!
Do you have a favorite Tick Prevention idea? Post below!
Whatever the reason is, you’re getting in shape, you’re getting your pooch in shape, or you just enjoy the great outdoors, there are a few spots in and around Plymouth, MA best suited for your walk. Pet owners have hit the trifecta with these three awesome spots that will get pet owners and their four legged companions out of their walking routine rut! Personal experience has taught me that pet owners and their pets can become bored with the same old walk every day. So my beautiful dog, Jenna, and I started branching out, and oh the hidden treasures we’ve found!
Cape Cod Canal:
The Canal is a scenic stroll for you and your partner in crime to walk as much or as little as you like. It is an 8 mile stretch of paved pathway, with entrances about every 500 feet, that runs alongside the water. If you walk far enough you’ll hit Scusset Beach on the east end of the canal. It is a populated spot, during the summer you will be surrounded by the bustling of families visiting the cape, which means more love and attention from adoring fans for your dog!
Even in the off season you are bound to run into a few others enjoying the path, because it’s a favorite of locals as well. So, if your dog is a social butterfly they will love all the people and pets there are to meet at the canal. The journey is not limited to walking either, this would be one of the better spots to visit if you and your dog are an athletic dynamic duo, it’s a great spot for a run as well!
Myles Standish State Forest:
If you love the great outdoors and all that comes with it, from trees to cute woodland animals then this is the walk for you! This path is a beautiful 3.3 miles (6.6 miles round trip) of paved pathway winding through trees with views that would stun any Instagram follower, should you be so inclined to post a selfie with your four legged companion. It is a fairly quiet trail, you may run in to one or two people, so this may be a more appropriate spot for a dog who does not play well with others. I would say it is strictly a walking destination because it has some hills and tree roots that would trip up anybody running through the path. It is an especially nice walk during the summer when the sun is beating down and the temperature spikes because the trees provide you with some much needed shade.
To get there, get off of exit five and drive about three miles down on your right will be the entrance to the Myles Standish State Forest. There is free parking right at the front and the hiking trail is clearly marked on the left side of the entrance.
Pinehills Walking Trails:
The PineHills is a housing complex complete with apartments, full size homes, and 55 plus accommodations. It has gorgeous grounds with professional landscaping kept up year round and a downtown area filled with businesses and people, really a great place to visit even if you are not a resident. The downtown area is a nice spot for a short stroll. However, their real gem is the walking trails which are available to everyone, even if you are not a Pinehills resident. Now here’s the kicker, there is even free parking, and plenty of it! Located behind Mama Mia’s restaurant. Ten miles of walking trails to explore and enjoy! This spot is conducive to dogs with a wide range of athletic skill. You can walk your English bulldog, who let’s face it would rather be napping, or get a good workout in and run with your energetic lab.
Stay tuned for new walking spots as my dog Jenna and I do some summer time exploration!
Dog is Man’s best friend. Who coined that phrase anyway? Some say it can be traced way back to a Dog named Old Drum. Who is Old Drum?
Old Drum was just an ordinary dog, who lived an extraordinary life. He lived a simple, quiet life with his owner Mr. Charles Burden. However, it was not until after his death that he became famous. You see, Charles Burden’s brother-in-law and neighbor, Leonidas Hornsby, had grown angry about the death of his sheep. He was seething mad, actually and one night threatened to kill the very next dog that set foot on his property.
One fateful day in October 1869, Old Drum happened to make his way onto Leonidas Hornsby’s property. Leonidas ordered his nephew to gun down poor Old Drum. Heartbroken and downright angry upon finding Old Drum’s body, dead, on Hornsby’s land, Charles Burden sought justice. He enlisted the services of lawyer (and future senator) George Graham Vest and sued Leonidas. In fact, this case went through numerous trials including an appeal that took them all the way to the Missouri Supreme Court. Interestingly enough, George Graham Vest delivered an amazing tribute to Old Drum (and dogs everywhere for that matter) during his closing argument at one of the trials in the lower court in Warrensburg. This now famous speech resounded in hearts across the world and is believed to be the point at which dogs became known as man’s best friend.
In part of his speech, George Graham Vest says “The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.”
A memorial statue is displayed outside of the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg to this day in memory of him and his master Charles Burden. Rest in paradise Old Drum.
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