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Kit & Travis
Right outside Philadelphia, PA
Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:14pm
71.224.206.59

And my vet says she's never seen Ricky Mountain Spotted Fever here before. But the tick population is shifting north and this year is just awful for them. I mean, he got this tick walking on a lawn in a park and sniffing the occasional tree. They are just everywhere.
If you're interested in these two serious illnesses, here are some links. It's very sobering reading:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ehrlichia_infection_in_dogs.html

http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Health-Center/Heart-and-Blood-Disorders/Rocky-Mountain-Spotted-Fever.aspx

And keep in mind that Travis is on Frontline. And we are faithful about him getting it, too. Very frustrating. The vet says to absolutely guard against them, an old fashioned tick collar is our best bet. Plus the Frontline. This is a very, very bad year for ticks.


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  • Part of Travis's problems — Kit & Travis, Sat Jun 16 4:40pm
    The rest of the tick panel came back, and provided at least part of the answers for us. He tested positive for two very scary illnesses, erlichia and rocky mountain spotted fever. The combination of... more
    • Prayers and hugs to you and Travis. (nm) — Donna and Holly, Mon Jun 18 1:05pm
    • Prayers said — Nancy, Lilly and Wilson (BAB too), Mon Jun 18 11:24am
      Prayers said for both of you. I hope to hear some good news today! Nancy
      • Thanks, Nancy — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:47pm
        It's tough to wait on news about our babies!
    • My paws and finger's crossed for good — Vicki,zip,zeus,zoe,zinc,zooter&zed, Sun Jun 17 8:19pm
      report on next vet visit!
      • Thanks, Vicki, me, too! — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:55pm
        And I hope you get good reports for the four you have in today!
    • D&D are on Vectra. they both had — jackie&duke&delilah, Sun Jun 17 12:16pm
      3 tick borne diseases a few years ago. ( they were on frontline then. New Jersey is bad with ticks. They are fine now! Kiss that handsome Travis for me.
      • Vectra, hunh? — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:46pm
        Obviously, we need to change from Frontline. Revolution was causing me sensitivities. But obviously, we need a change. I'll ask her about Vectra. Thanks.
    • This is scary Kit! I am surprised — Lori & the Two Hound Train, Sun Jun 17 12:15pm
      to read he tested positive for both of these illnesses. They seem to be rare....is there any likelihood false positives can be obtained? I am not questioning the results or your vet, just asking... more
      • I know - interesting. — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:52pm
        In fact, all of his symptoms can be explained by the constellation of those two illnesses. (Which gives me hope in the larger picture.) I guess a false positive is a possibility, but the vet seemed... more
        • Ticks are nasty little creatures. And for being — Lori & the Two Hound Train, Mon Jun 18 2:03pm
          so tiny, why do they have to wreck so much havoc? We are, for the most part, on the same latitude so if it is affecting you, it is likely affecting us. Scary. I hope you get good news later from the... more
    • That's scary. — sue & tanner, Sun Jun 17 11:50am
      Praying for Travis. I don't remember where you're located. I better keep up on Fronline for Tanner. Sometimes I go two months because it protects against fleas for 3 months but only 1 month for ticks.
      • Sue, I'm actually in the market — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:55pm
        for something besides Frontline, because Travis was "protected" by Frontline when he got his recent tick. I'm in SE PA, outside Philly, but we spend time over in NJ at the beach, too. Where are you?
    • Incredible — Patty, MB&C, Sun Jun 17 8:46am
      Hoping this IS it and sweet Travis will get well quickly. May I presume he received pre-op blookwork for his surgery and none of this showed then? Your patience, love and care for Mr. T is... more
      • Yes, but — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:44pm
        From what I read, the erlichia could have been hiding in his spleen for years and wouldn't show up in his blood work until it became active again. Or it could be new. The RMSF is a new development,... more
    • Will keep Travis in my prayers !!! (nm) — Peggy(NJ), Sun Jun 17 7:55am
    • Our prayers to Trav & you... — marcia, kiley & cody, Sun Jun 17 6:55am
      Hope these nasty bugs are all killed by the meds and that Trav is better soon. The ticks are terrible here this year too, due to the early spring (we're in the Indiana Dunes, near Chicago). We treat... more
    • So sorry — mattieclrk, Sun Jun 17 4:48am
      You definitely have all the support you need from me and Cooper! Postive thoughts and energy coming your way!
    • Hoping and praying that the current treatment — Lizzie and Linus's mom in TN, Alice, Sun Jun 17 1:34am
      will nip the whole thing and that Travis will be back to normal quickly.
    • Here's hoping Travis feels better very — Ellen & Remy, Sat Jun 16 10:44pm
      soon. Remy had a case of erlichia a few years back from a tick bite that I never even saw. She went lame one day and we rushed her to the vet. The antibiotics worked very well and she recovered... more
      • Thaks, Ellen — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 1:59pm
        That's good to know. He's on a ton of antibiotics, so I'm hopeful!
    • Fingers crossed for Monday's report! (nm) — Judy, Gus, Gyps and Del, Sat Jun 16 6:58pm
    • Poor Travis! Our prayers are with him! — Marcelle, Luigi, Rocco & Dino, Sat Jun 16 6:56pm
      Luigi had all 3 tick born illnesses when he was 4 years old - pretty scary when it seems to come on so quickly. I hope that his white blood cells resolve themselves and nothing else comes of this! I... more
    • Kit I am just getting caught up from being away and very — Kate and Maci, Sat Jun 16 6:47pm
      limited computer/Zoo time. I am so sorry Trav is not feeling well - just sucks when one of our furkids is not themselves. We are sending every possible thought and vibe his/your way. Keep us posted - ... more
      • Ooh, I missed this — Kit & Travis, Mon Jun 18 4:45pm
        Hi Kate, Awaiting the path report, which I hope comes in today. Fingers crossed for us, please!
    • Hugs and positive healing thoughts for you both — SD&B, Sat Jun 16 5:50pm
      I hope that the current course of treatment will take care of it all.
    • Hugs and prayers for you both! where — Emilie B, Sat Jun 16 5:48pm
      do you live? I can't imagine one tick causing that much damage but I guess it can.
      • Right outside Philadelphia, PA — Kit & Travis, Sat Jun 16 8:14pm
        • Oh I should have kept reading. — sue & tanner, Sun Jun 17 11:51am
          Wow! This is scary.
        • I no longer use Frontline - just the — Ellen & Remy, Sat Jun 16 10:46pm
          tick collar (I get it from the vet NOT a pet store). I have found it to be very effective.
          • Sorry to hijack your post, but I am curious about the — Lori & the Two Hound Train, Sun Jun 17 12:18pm
            tick collar you use. Do you recall the brand? I only use Frontline Plus twice a year, but then I wonder why I use it at all? I have never seen a tick on the boys, but if I found something relatively... more
            • The name is Virbac and you can — Ellen & Remy, Sun Jun 17 4:58pm
              only get it at through the vet. It's for ticks only - no flea protection. Remy had a reaction to Frontline so this all we use now. My vet uses it on his dogs as well.
        • Here it is — Emilie B, Sat Jun 16 8:30pm
          http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=228724;article=960946;title=The%20Doodle%20Zoo%21;pagemark=25 It is an article about Heartworm but it applies to the fleas and ticks as well. The... more
        • Some vet techs are telling me that — Emilie B, Sat Jun 16 8:25pm
          Frontline isn't working like it did in the past. the ticks have developed an immunity to it. I have posted numerous warnings here about heartworm and ticks being more populous in areas of the country ... more
          • I use Trifexis, too. — Marlow & Sloan's Mom, Sun Jun 17 9:05am
            It's the only thing that stopped the flea onslaught in FL this year. None of the holistic things worked for us, nor did Frontline, Advantix, etc.
    • BIG HUGS, BIG PRAYERS coming to you and Travis. — PJ, Blue and Casey, Sat Jun 16 5:44pm
      You two have fought so hard to get him well, it is a real shame he is sick...but I am praying real hard that the meds will work and that is all that he will need. Keep us updated.
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