Fortunately they seem to respond to ABX better than we do, and unlike the ducks, many Veterinarians actually know how to recognize it.
Posts: 714 | From San Antonio TX | Registered: Oct 2004
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
Certainly increases your chances of getting slobbered on.
I was worried about this, but the affection & companionship I get from my pup well outweighs the risk. He's got short hair, is on frontline, and I check him every day to be safe.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
IMO Yes, dogs bring ticks into the house. That way you can get Lyme by staying in or by going out. That would increase ones chance of getting it. hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I think the worst risk would be if you have them in your bed with you.
I love animals, but don't have one now....and may never again.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I, as well as a friend I've made who also has Lyme, got the diseases from ticks on indoor/outdoor cats.
I love animals and used to volunteer every day for cat rescue and adoption groups, and I still play with all the neighbors' pets. But I have become much more aware that our best friends can bring ticks into our lives. But most people do have their pets on flea/tick medications and examine their dogs and cats for ticks, so what else can you do?
The companionship, especially when ill, can be very comforting.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
This question makes me chuckle. Of course, having a dog increases your chances of getting Lyme, unless you keep the poor critter locked up inside. Ticks LOVE furry creatures.
Brush your pet and check for ticks. And, I agree that you should definitely keep him/her out of your bed.
No dogs or cats residing in my house anymore.
Some of the responses here are very funny. Nice to see some light-heartedness on this forum.
Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I walked my dog in a grassy area by our house, laid in the grass looking at the sun and got bit by a tick loaded w/lyme. Be careful that you keep your dog on tick meds so they don't bring in too many ticks. I'm in N FL so it's hot and humid and a breeding ground for ticks.
Of course you know I went to my Dr. w/the bullseye rash and she said "oh, that's nothing". 4 mo. later she dx'd me w/lupus. Brilliant.
I love my dog, she never left my side when I was really sick when friends thought I was snubbing them. Incidentally, those little green chameleons were recently studied and found to be LOADED w/borrelia bacteria. I'm more afraid of them!
Posts: 982 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2002
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I'm sure I got my tick all on my own from riding horses and camping in the mountains.
I was once a professional dog groomer and kept a jar of rubbing alcohol handy which I dubbed "Tick Tomb" to place all the ticks in I pulled off customers' dogs. How is that for exposure? I'm sure none of those ticks ever bit me. I used tweezers to remove them.
My own pets are fed a natural powder called "Bugcheck" which does a superb job of repelling fleas. I never allow my pups to run in woods. We live on horse farms that we and the horses keep mowed short so ticks are never seen. So the dogs never have ticks or fleas.
Bugcheck is designed for horses to repel flies and it works very well. Also acts as a parasite cleanse. If you have pets and want to try this wonderful product, I highly recommend it. You can check it out at www.thenaturalvet.net.
It makes the horses coats incredibly shiny, but I have not noticed this change in the dogs coats although their skin never is dry and flaky. Not sure if Bugcheck gets the credit or not. Bugcheck is non-toxic and I find it more effective than frontline. Cheaper too.
I love animals and would be miserable without them. It isn't hard to keep the dogs insect free. Horses are tougher. Lyme disease has been found in mosquitos and horseflies. Man, I get bit by both of those plenty. But so do all my horse loving friends and none of them are sick.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I would not trade my dogs "trooper and ranger", golden retrievers for anything, I would trade my husband in a heart beat and may, but never my dogs. I bring them up north with me (wisconsin where i got bit)they play and swim and sleep in my bed every night at home and up there....
I use front line, they get tick flea baths, I comb them check them, and they have the vaccine (good idea who knows?)I just pulled a tick off me two weeks ago up north and my dogs were not with me.
It probably increases your chances, but honest to god truth, I would go through this all again if it meant I could keep my dogs...I dont have kids so I cannot imagine my life without them, god knows there are the only ones who have offered unconditional love to me throughout my illness it sure wasnt my family and friends...Good Luck...Jill
Posts: 83 | From Northern Illinois | Registered: Feb 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
cats are good. can keep them inside. always.
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Walking outside increases your risk.
Im working on my bubble right now ;-)
i have an indoor cat- she hates all bugs and kills them all and wont stop until they are gone. She alerts me to spiders before i see them by chirping at them.
If she had a tick on her im sure she would just kill it.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi All Sure it dose- Just keep this in mind and be more careful and observant-
You can teach him to fetch your pills- --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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