5 Ways to Prevent Ticks on Your Elderly Loved One’s Dog
Your aging parent’s dog can be a beloved and constant companion, so the thought of them doing something to make their owner sick is hard to believe. Of course, a faithful dog wouldn’t do something on purpose, but there is a chance they could bring in ticks from outside that can bite your elderly parent and make them very sick. Preventing ticks from coming indoors with your loved one’s dog is a key part of keeping them healthy.
Home Care Gig Harbor WA – 5 Ways to Prevent Ticks on Your Elderly Loved One’s Dog
Tick bites in seniors can be much more serious than in the general population. From anaplasmosis and Lyme disease to babesiosis, seniors generally have a more difficult time fighting off these diseases and the results can be life-threatening. If you and your aging loved one are living in a part of the country where ticks are prevalent and they have a dog, it’s time to do everything possible to prevent ticks from latching on and getting inside.
Here are 5 helpful ways to prevent ticks on your elderly loved one’s dog.
1. Inspect the Dog
After every outside visit the dog should be quickly checked out for hitchhikers. You, your aging parents, a senior care aide or other family member can check the dog’s fur for ticks. Key places to look include under the collar, where the legs meet the body, between the toes and around the groin. Run your hands over the dog’s entire body to feel for small bumps that could be ticks or tick bites.
2. Topical Repellents
Many people find that tick repellant products do a good job of keeping dogs tick-free. Shampoos, powder and sprays go directly onto fur and provide enough of a deterrent for ticks that they don’t burrow in. While topical repellents won’t always stop every single tick, they will greatly reduce the risk of your loved one’s dog bringing them home.
3. Tick Collars
These are specially treated collars that have tick repellant in them. They are especially good at stopping ticks from attaching to dogs near the neck and head. When used in tandem with topical repellents, they can be quite effective.
4. Destroying Tick Habitats
Dogs don’t have to be out on a woodland hike to pick up the pesky critters. In some cases, they encounter them in their own back yard. Because ticks like to live in grasses and weeds away from bright sunlight, they can thrive in backyards that aren’t well-cared for. If your aging parent’s yard has tall stands of weeds or grass, or thick shrubs where the dog likes to play, it might be worthwhile to get out and eliminate that prime tick habitat.
5. Limit Time Outdoors in Tick Season
Ticks are most common in spring and early summer, so if you and your aging parent have the option, keep the dog indoors as much as possible. When you do go outside on walks or other excursions, choose places that are well-groomed like public parks and city streets. Avoid more natural settings like woodland trails and along riverbanks where the dog will want to explore. Save those outings for early spring and fall, when ticks are much less prevalent.
It may seem like a lot of trouble to practice tick prevention in your elderly loved one’s dog, but the results of a tick bite are not something you want them to experience. Getting all family members on board with tick prevention, as well as home care aides, family friends and other caregivers can make a real impact on keeping your aging parent and their beloved canine companion healthy.
Source: http://www.tickbites.net/tick-bites-in-the-elderly-how-dangerous-are-they/
https://www.pet360.com/dog/health/how-to-check-your-dog-for-ticks/4_yvmsL5BEmByuSpK5TWEw
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Gig Harbor WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.
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