Unfortunately my poor little dog is suffering from this tick disease. She's been under my vet's care for the past month and it's been a real roller coaster ride. Her blood platelet count has seemed like a yo-yo going up and down drastically depending on the medication she's taking. She's had pills, shots and 3 days in the hospital.
She's very pitiful and looks at me like she's saying "Please help me":
Babesia is a tick disease more commonly attacking cows. It was discovered in 1888 by Dr. Babes. It's transmitted by the brown dog tick. Babesia affects red blood cells, and as a dog's immune system tries to eliminate the infected blood cells, anemia, pallor and general weakness results.
Luckily, Tootie (sorry, she was named by my late mother-in-law before she died and willed her to me and I didn't think it would be proper to change her name) is doing lots better. She has one more treatment and then hopefully she'll be back to normal. I have my wonderful vet, Dr. Jones to thank for her recovery. He's been absolutely obsessed with treating and curing her.
If you have a treasured dog, you'll appreciate this video which is a little corny but very apropos:
So keep Advantage or Frontline on your dogs and cats. Those little tubes might seem expensive but in the long run it will save you lots of money. I can't even tell you how much I've spent so far!! But it's worth it, especially when I see little Tootie getting stronger and better each day. It's been a crazy month.
For other rabies related stories, see Sepia Saturday.Sepia Saturday
I am pleased to say that ticks in the UK are an exception with dogs, years ago I remember our spaniels occasionally getting a sheep tick, but I have never seen one on my most recent dogs. My daughter acquired a deer tick in Baltimore when she was 6 and that freaked us out !! Yuk !! And I had to pay a doctor to remove it as I was unsure of procedure. Poor little Tootie, I hope she makes a full recovery. The video did not work, but the soundtrack did...so maybe that is why it sounded double-corny !!
ReplyDeleteOh, no. Your daughter had a tick. that's pretty scary. Sorry the video didn't work - try looking up on you tube under "So God Made a Dog" - it's really kind of worth it.
DeleteThanks for your comments.
I've had Lyme disease TWICE, for cryin' out loud! My best to Tootie; may she get well soon...
ReplyDeleteYUCK! I hate ticks! I have removed a few over the years. In fact my husband had one on his toe the other day and I had to pull it out. The tick population exploded while we were living in Michigan. While I was growing up I never saw or heard of ticks. Even 15 years ago our dogs never got ticks. By the time we moved they were all over the woods. YUCK!
ReplyDeleteOn his toe!! what a weird place for a tick. Well it sort of makes sense because he probably stepped on it. Where do ticks come from anyway? They're very mysterious.
DeleteI hate em too. Especially when I think of how much money I've spent so far just because of that nasty little insect. Not to mention that I almost lost my dog. but she's doing much better now. I think she's going to survive.
I've had tick bite fever, and it's not a pleasant experience at all.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing when I read these comments how many Sepians have had tick disease. I can believe it must not have been a pleasant experience for you.
DeleteWe do love our dogs! Poor Tootie. Hope the worst is over and she makes a full recovery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. Tootie is doing much better. I think she's going to recover. But I'm going to really have to watch for those pesky ticks and keep her lathered up with Advantage.
DeleteOh, I'm so sorry that she has been suffering. What a sweetie and thanks for the education and suggestions. I hope that she will be back to her normal self very soon.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
I'm so happy Tootie has a diagnosis even if it's those awful ticks. Dr. Jones is wonderful. I'm going to wear a Tootie costume next time I get sick and see if he'll take care of me too! Love the video.
ReplyDeleteWonder what Dr. Jones will do when you walk into his office in a Tootie costume.
DeleteWhat an unusual but so personal take on this week's theme and I do hope Tootie is recovering. There is more and more in our newspapers on guarding against ticks when out walking etc.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought it was pretty timely. Rabies - ticks. Both bad dog diseases. And of course I can't think of anything else. It wasn't a very sepia story, but that's the beauty of this blog - we can write about anything.
DeletePoor little dog! I knew ticks cause diseases, but I hadn't heard of that disease.
ReplyDeleteThere's actually 4 different tick diseases (maybe more). I guess it's what animal its picked up from. My vet thinks that this particular one comes from coyotes and there's sure lots of those around here.
DeleteOh I feel so bad for her. I know it's got to be a rough ride. I just hate those nasty ticks!!!! Hopefully she'll be feeling good as new soon!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's been a rough month. But Tooties much better and I think she'll be back to normal soon. Now I have to concentrate on keeping Ticks away. Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteThat look from Tootie would melt any heart. I wish her a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteVery pertinent information for me. I just found a large, way too large, tick on my bathrobe yesterday morning. I'm baffled by how it got there. One cat is a stay inside girl. One cat is a daytime roamer in the countryside who has never had a tick or a flea, which I think might have something to do with his screwy Manx nervous system. But now I'm going to the vets and get him some med just in case. Though I'll have to ask them, since like I said, he has a very screwy nervous system that is already damaged because of his lack of a tail. Whewwwww. Sorry about that, but thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteI've found ticks on me before too. Where in the heck do they come from? Fortunately the one on me wasn't attached. But it sure is scary to think that they're around. Hope your kitty doesn't have any and that your vet will give you some good advice on how to protect him.
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