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It is difficult to assess how long your dog has been infected when the signs or symptoms appear. During this season it is very important to frequently go over your dog checking crevices like the armpit of the dog, ears, and all over your pet. These diseases can be fatal if not treated promptly. Be sure your dog is protected and check them often for ticks. Tick season is mostly in spring and summer but in Texas, it ain’t over yet! Top Four Southern Tick Borne Diseases
Professional medical intervention is necessary. Culprits Blacklegged (deer) tick Lone Star Ticks American Dog Ticks
REFERENCES:
“10 Types of Ticks That Can Make You Sick, Where They Live, and How to Identify Them.” Prevention, 6 Feb. 2023, www.prevention.com/health/g27419738/types-of-ticks/. Vsadmin. “Ticks: What You Need to Know.” VetCare Pet Hospital, 29 Mar. 2022, www.vetcarepethospital.ca/ticks-what-you-need-to-know/.
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 When rising temperatures surpass 68°F, it is the start of snake season. There are a total of 12 species of venomous snakes of the 75 snake species in Texas. However, the top four contenders are:
Something really important to consider about these venomous snakes are the myths about them still perpetuated today. Not all snakes are the same, some hide amongst their more innocuous looking fellows. A good example of this is that, all venomous snakes have a spade shape head.
Coral snakes are about 3 feet long with the longest on record reaching nearly 4 feet. In Texas, they measure between 20-30 inches. The weights were not given. An easy way to identify coral snakes is the rhyme, "Red touches yellow kills a fellow. Red touches black, and it's a friend of Jack." Did you know? Almost all venomous snakes have elliptical eyes (cat’s eye pupils), except (again) the Coral snake. I, personally, do not wish to get close enough to see their eyes to make this distinction especially since other things like running away will be foremost in my mind but some of you may need to know this if you have a snake that has taken up residency, say under a pot maybe, and you wonder is it venomous?
Copperheads like semi-aquatic habitats as well as wooded areas and swamps and debris. Even though they spend most of their time underground the habitat for a corral snake is mixed from a water-related environment to a desert including wooded areas and under debris in the suburban areas.
The Cottonmouth pattern is considered a crossband with 10-16 repeating patterns. It’s coloring can vary from brown, tan, yellow-olive, gray or black. It is possible for it to appear almost totally black.
At first look, all three of these snakes have similarities. The water moccasins and the rattlers have thick bodies. Their patterning is similar in that it is not a solid color or banning. The coral snake and copperhead have slender bodies. The crossbands are often more brilliant than the softer tones of a rattler. So how do you minimize the danger of snakes in your yard? Eliminate standing water and food sources such as rodents and insects. Don’t forget bird feeders can feed the snakes, too. Do not leave any pet food outdoors. Tidiness helps to reduce clutter or debris for snakes to hide in or under. Well-trimmed bushes and regular mowing discourages snakes to visit. Check your plumbing and gutters for any leaks or dribbles. Moist, shadowed areas are choice spots. Rock or wood piles need to be redistributed. Although koi ponds are beautiful the snakes will love them, too. Check your home and garage for access through cracks or broken seals. There are plants such as marigolds, holly or lemon grass and others that repel snakes naturally. Have a wonderful and hopefully snake-free season! REFERENCES: About the Author Bethany McKay Bethany is a professional copywriter and editor, et al. “Harlequin Coral Snake.” AZ Animals, 1 Apr. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/harlequin-snake/. Clark, Caitlin. “Snakes Are out in Texas- Here’s How to Reduce Encounters with Them.” Texas A&M Today, 13 July 2020, today.tamu.edu/2020/06/18/snakes-are-out-in-texas-heres-how-to-reduce-encounters-with-them/. Peshek, Sam. “Warmer Temps Means Snakes Are Moving, Say Texas A&M Experts.” Texas A&M Today, 30 Apr. 2019, today.tamu.edu/2018/02/26/warmer-temps-means-snakes-are-moving-say-texas-am-experts/. Ward, Hannah. “Cottonmouths in Texas: Where They Live and How Often They Bite.” AZ Animals, 2 Dec. 2022, a-z-animals.com/blog/cottonmouths-in-texas-where-they-live-how-often-they-bite/.
warmer temperatures, exists in cold weather, and can jump over 6”. Fleas can lay 20 – 40 eggs in a day for weeks, adult lifespan is about 100 days, when a dog shakes, he sheds flea eggs. Fleas are external parasites. Flea dirt is actually feces and dried blood. Ear mites are another irritating parasite, but mites are actually a type of mange, Otodectic mange. Dedicated mite medicine or a 50/50 wash of alcohol and white vinegar over several days will help. Talk to your vet for details. DID YOU KNOW? TICKS ARE ARACHNIDS OR SPIDERS, NOT INSECTS. Ticks are six-legged as larvae and develop two more legs as they grow. Ticks are external parasites and can survive freezing weather. Ticks can lay over 1000 eggs at one time. Adult lifespan is about 3 months- 3 years. Their saliva cements them to their host. Ticks can transmit most commonly and most seriously Lyme Disease. Other diseases include Powassan virus, Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis (flu-like symptoms), and more. There are six tick-transmitted illnesses in Texas. Texas ticks include the Brown Dog tick, the American dog tick known as a Wood Tick, the Lone Star tick also known as the Seed Tick and finally, the Deer tick also known as the Blacklegged tick. A Lone Star Tick, found in Southeastern U.S., has a bite that can result in a red meat allergy with additional implications. Unlike the Deer Tick, the Dog Tick does not carry Lyme’s Disease. If you split the U.S. in half, biting ticks that transmit diseases, are primarily found in the eastern states from the Canadian border to southern Florida or Texas although the reports of Lyme’s Disease is moving westward.  IMAGE COURTESY OF TEXAS AGRILIFE IN WISE COUNTY Worms can be in the soil, feces, or develop from other living source. Roundworms are the most common and more so in puppies. Roundworms, hookworms and whipworms are spread animal to animal via roaches, rodents, earthworms and infected water and feces. Tapeworms are internal parasitic worms that start out as fleas, get swallowed by a dog and become tapeworms. They are white, flat and ribbon-like. The spiked head attaches to the intestine wall and feeds. The body is segmented. Parts break off, harden and eventually end up looking similar to white rice in the stool. They are capable of growing up to 50 feet depending on the host. They can live up to 30 years in a host. In a dog they grow to about 8 inches. Heartworms come from mosquitos and can only be managed through heartworm prescription medicine.  IMAGE COURTESY OF CORE DIFFERENCES Treatment is best with a single monthly chew from your veterinarian. A comprehensive parasite treatment program will keep these critters at bay when you treat your yard as well as your dog. Remember to spray 4’ up your fence and house when treating the yard.
DID YOU KNOW? BIRDS CAN CARRY PARVO AND SPREAD IT WITH THEIR DROPPINGS? References: By. “Extension Education in Wise County.” Texas A&M AgriLife Extention, 27 May 2021, https://wise.agrilife.org/2021/05/27/tick-information/. “Canine Skin Parasites Anatomical Model - Mite Flea Tick.” LFA, https://www.lakeforestanatomicals.com/dog-flea-tick-and-mite-anatomical-models-k9.html. Intriguing Facts about Fleas, Ticks & Worms | Canadavetcare. https://www.canadavetcare.com/blog/intriguing-facts-about-fleas-ticks-and-worms/. “Regions Where Ticks Live.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 May 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/geographic_distribution.html. Core. “17 Major Difference between Roundworm and Tapeworm with Table.” Core Differences, 19 Jan. 2021, https://coredifferences.com/difference-between-roundworm-and-tapeworm/. |
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