creepy crawlies, hotspots, and lyme

Rainy, rainy days in May. The river has strayed from the path it usually takes, the fields are now lakes. The rain keeps coming. A common question I hear all day long, "Will it ever stop raining, will it ever get warm?". I say yes but they keep asking the question!

I have heard this guy scream, I can't believe these little birds are taunting him so!

We haven't been walking as much. Mom and dad work constantly! S.A.V.E.S. is so busy and so is Stonecliff. They have decided to move Stonecliff into the S.A.V.E.S. building. The space at West Leb. Feed and Supply has worked out really well but as the hospital grows it is becoming very small. It will be much easier for the staff to have everything in one place and the S.A.V.E.S. building is so new and beautiful that everyone will fit very well.

I love sticks!

So starting on May 16th the Stonecliff hospital will officially be at S.A.V.E.S. Everything for Stonecliff patients will remain the same except the location. We will have a new telephone number but the old one will work also. Stonecliff clients have the added benefit of being able to see their favorite doctors day and night. Any old clients that were not able to follow my dad (Dr. Kelly) to West Lebanon are welcome to see him now in Lebanon. I-89 exit 18 (just like going to DHMC) take your first left on Evans Drive and we are the next drive past the Nissan Miller Car dealership across from the Lebanon High School track and football field.

The Great Frog Hunter!

Check out the S.A.V.E.S. website for location information and more. I unfortunately have been under the weather. The tick season is in full swing and I have an infected tick bite on my face that has turned into a "hotspot" or skin infection. Dad shaved it yesterday (I hate that) and scrubbed it up with some smelly stuff and put me on antibiotics that mom shoves down my throat! Uggggg.

I actually think it is Petunia's fault, she is always biting me in the face whenever I try and get her to play with me! But on a more serious note the hospital has seen a HUGE rise in Lyme positive dogs in the past week. On Sunday alone 3 dogs came in unable to walk with fevers that tested positive for Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease is here.... there is no denying it. Protect yourself and your favorite four-legged friends by vaccinating against the disease and applying a once a month medication that helps control ticks and fleas. It is important to understand this disease and how it is transmitted.

The primary carrier of Lyme disease is the deer tick (not pictured). Borreliosis, the actual bacteria that causes the disease. As a tick develops from a baby (larva) to a full grown tick it will go through many stages and hosts (a mammal that it will feed on and ultimately become infected from if the mammal is carrying the disease). Ticks are most active in spring and fall, they thrive and multiply with cold rainy days (like our whole spring has been). One very important bit of information is that the tick must be attached and feeding on it's host (you, your dog or cat) for at least 48 hours before it will transmit the Lyme Disease to you. Tick medication such as Frontline or Vectra kill the ticks sooner then 48 hours thus eliminating the threat of contracting the disease. We get calls all the time from people upset that their pets still have ticks crawling on them after being treated with these products. The ticks still will bite the pet but will die before they can transmit so your pet is safe. You on the other hand are not. Since there are not products like this for humans we need to take precautions also. Wear long pants that are tucked in on the bottom, citronella (a natural product) will supposedly repel ticks, spray some on your clothing.

Symptoms and timing of this disease are different for pets then humans. Dogs symptoms occur much later after the tick bite, usually 2-5 months after the initial bite. Cats are rarely infected, probably because they are much more efficient and persnickety groomers. Dogs typically have a fever (103-105'F) and shifting limb lameness, sore on one leg then switching to another leg. Swelling in the joints, lethargy and decrease in appetite are also common. We typically do not see the rash like in humans. Dogs infected with Lyme Disease and actively showing signs are treated with antibiotics and supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and pain medications. Dogs can be infected with Lyme Disease and not show any signs. Long term health issues from the disease occur sometimes with kidney failure and heart and nervous system problems. If you suspect that your pet has contracted this disease, contact your veterinarian immediately. Make sure to use the preventative medications and vaccinate against the disease.
It is scary but I sure don't want to stop running through the woods every chance I get! Tata for now