http://thelabradorforum.com/posts/203759/ I think this news relates to an earlier thread on the same disease
No problem, just amazed my brain cells made the link. Think it was the location that did it as I know the area. Good to highlight the risk again for us all just something else to worry about
I've been googling around off and on today but haven't been able to find much useful info on prevention rather than cure. Any ideas on the most effective prevention course? Are we ok with our current tick treatments, or are they ineffective? I know I've read it is a serious problem in France, but their tick treatments, from what I've seen available at vets and chemists, are the same as ours.
You just need to treat the tick - use the usual prevention. The tick is the same, it is just the disease it carries which is the risk. Just like malaria, most bites are just mosquito bites, but some will also transfer malaria to you. And see a vet ASAP if your dog becomes unwell (as you would do anyway) but doubly so after a tick bite. I do think at the moment is confined to Essex @MaccieD Rosemary.
Thanks @drjs@5 , I thought that was the case, but it would be nice if the media covered preventative methods instead of just reporting the new risk . Although confined to Essex at the moment I suspect it won't stay confined once the warmer weather brings more dog walkers out and about.
No indeed, they reckon it came in on dogs from France and blame the fact that treatments before re-entry are now not mandatory? I think it is the same story as why Flu vaccination helps herd immunity. The more people using effective ant-tick treatments, the less chance of spread. Unfortunately so many don't and of course I don't know what other vectors are around - deer wildlife etc. I suspect the latter are the real problem.
I don't think deer are a major problem around the Harlow area, or they didn't used to be when I lived 10 miles down the road. It still amazes me that the requirement for flea/tick treatment when arriving from France, and I think the rest of the EU, was removed. Only a wormer, administered by a vet, is required for a dog. A wormer isn't even required for a cat! Think I'll make an appointment for the vet for a chat as I've been thinking of switching to Bravecto anyway
Someone on FB has said that the Dermacentor reticulatus tick which carries the Babesiosis isn't killed by normal tick treatments but I can't see any justification for saying this. I don't know her but I have asked if she can share where she got this information. Certainly Bravecto looks like its effective.
Think I'll make an appointment for the vet for a chat as I've been thinking of switching to Bravecto anyway[/QUOTE] Let us know what your vet has to say on the matter please Rosemary.
Just been looking at Advantix which is what I've used for Juno and that says it is effective with Dermacentor reticulatus for 3 weeks instead of the usual 4 weeks. Advantix is promoted and being highly effective for dogs travelling or living in Europe
Let us know what your vet has to say on the matter please Rosemary.[/QUOTE] Will do Cath, but please see my later post te Advantix as well.
I used Advantix with my two last summer. It wasn't totally effective against ticks in a tick-ridden area in Spain. I had to check them every day and removed ticks from them both, that had attached. I've never had to remove one here in Andorra, and I know they're about because friends' (untreated) dogs have had them, so I think it is effective, just not to the necessary levels for that area. I read somewhere that Advantix is a deterrent, but some ticks will still get through. So, if you find one tick on your dog while the dog is treated with Advantix, the chances are you'd have found ten without (I just made those numbers up, so don't quote me on that!). The thing I don't like about Bravecto is that the ticks have to attach. The thing I like about it is that it kills ticks with high efficiency, although it's not guaranteed 100% and so I'd still need to check regularly. I'm worried the Bravecto will make me complacent about checking, so I'll have to make a habit of going over the dogs still.
I've been lucky with Juno and had no problems using the Advantix. The problems start if they go swimming as it reduces the effectiveness and I think it becomes less effective as you reach the end of the period I know I had a conversation with my vet in France last summer before our holiday and she suggested that if I was concerned about ticks as a one off to treat Juno about 14 days before the holiday and then again while away to give the higher level of protection.ust admit that ticks make me feel freaky! I'm still concerned about giving Juno Bravecto when it lasts for 3 months and what the long term effects are. Also what actions can be taken if your dog has serious side effects? I don't like that they have to be bitten by the tick before it starts killing them either. With Advantix it's meant to be on contact it starts killing them. HELP! I'm really confused now as to what's best.
Personally, I'd carry on with Advantix if we were staying here in the summers. I would have thought you'd be OK in most of the UK, too. But I know it's just not effective on millions of the little b*****s, so having seen it fail to an unacceptable level last summer (even with a fresh application and no swimming), I need to try something else. In your situation, I'd continue with the Advantix if you're happy with it, unless you start doubting its efficacy.
Thanks Rosemary I use Advantix too and had no problems. I have never found a tick on any of my dogs, but a fellow dog walk has in the village. I not sure about Bravecto, once in the system that's it. I may nip into the vets and see if there is anything on the tick scare.
Think I'll do a little more research on Bravecto today although I'm meant to be writing an essay on dominance theory Brain isn't really focussed on it because of ticks though
