Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Last week it was my oven mitt that she snagged off the kitchen counter (she goes from the back of the sofa to the ledge to the kitchen counter) and back again, I assume.
This morning it was a hot plate / coaster / trivet thingy... I came home from spin/yoga and found shredded material ALL over. I couldn't figure out what she had gotten into, at first, and then I saw it. I grabbed it and put it down to grab my camera and this: 
I tell you - she is fearless and definitely #channelingherinnershelby - Shelby was notorious for chewing things that did NOT belong to her. And we all know Jasper is one spoiled little pooch and has a million of her own toys. Sigh.
Anyways ... Jasper and I are headed to Lake Arrowhead, CA next month. Just a weekend getaway with lakes, hikes, trails, etc... east of LA (near Big Bear, I think). SO my mom told me to get tick spray for me and now I am worried about ticks on Jasper. We don't hike here in LA a lot but I know we can get / see them here. I know that Shelby (way way back) got a tick or two and I had to take her to the vet to extract them off her.
Any words of wisdom or suggestions so we can have a fun and tick-free adventure? I would hate to keep Jasper cooped up the whole time and frankly, I've never had a tick on me either so I'm not that jazzed about being "one with nature".
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison,
Jasper is definitely one determined pup, lol !! She makes me laugh every time you post her antics! Shelby sure knew what she was doing when she sent you Jasper L.!
As far as the tick thing, yuck and ick.....I have always hated these critters, and we seem to have an abundance of them in my area, and the east coast in general. I have always used Frontline Plus, but it has not been as effective lately for ticks, I now use it primarily for fleas. There are a few other products you can use, perhaps ask your vet what they recommend. There is another newer oral product called NexGard, but I have not tried it yet, and another product called Trifexis, or something like that which can only be used if you don't have cats in your house. Those awful ticks are really hard to kill sometimes.......
Good luck finding a product that may work for you, the only good tick is a dead one.....!!!
Much Love,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
Alison: I have some "thingyes" that are just like yours (RIP coaster)! Mexican, I think. They were my mom's, and we use them to put hot plates on.
Dogs are so funny when they get in trouble!
As for ticks: yes, some prevention with a good spray, and a good bath when she comes home.
Enjoy the trip!
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
I would like to reiterate what Bonnie said, ICK!!!!
Here in middle TN, we have, not only an abundance of ticks of every size, but chiggers. I NEVER go out in the yard without spraying down with Deep Woods Off. I know the deet is a harsh chemical to be spraying all over me, but I'll take it any day next to having chiggers and ticks!!
With that said, Melody and Meesha are on Frontline Plus and Advantage Multi. It takes care of all the creepy crawlies and heartworm as well.
There is also a product called Adams spray on for dogs that we buy at Walmart (you can get it just about anywhere) that does a pretty good job and also deodorizes, since you only need to protect her for just a weekend. It's much less than Frontline and isn't near as chemically offensive (hope that makes sense).
Any-hoo, JL is just the cutest thing.
xoxo
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Online
That JASPER LILY makes me smile and just shake my head at her adorableness!!! She sure took care of that hot pad! I love how focused she is! She has every single bite planned out!!
Here where I love jn rural Virginia, it's like a tick factory at my place! Woods, tall grasses...like a little nursey for ticks! I guess I've become conditioned to the fact that I co-exist with them (not willingly...just the price you pay "being one with nature") 
As far as any harm from ticks, itsq alwahs been my understanding that if you remove them within 24 hrs., no diseases are spread, etc. I check myself religiously and the dogs also. I've used Frontline and I've used Advantix before. I think the ticks kind of built up an immunity to the Frontline though. Now, that said, I have had Lyme and some mp of my dogs have had various tick borne diseases that a dose of Doxycycline took care of.
Do search on line for natural repellents! I have tried some of these...and for the lofe of me I cannot remember the name of the most effective one.....and they do a good job of repelling from the git go! Another trick I've used....your gonna lpve this little California Girl....is smear my ankles in Vaseline. That way, if they do get in me they can't get past the barrier and I just wipe 'em off! Country lofe "ain't" like living at the Beach!!! Then again, we don't have to worry about Sea Gulls pooping on our heads.....an occasional Buzzard mayve!
Trying to think of the repellant...may have been by Burts Bees.....or Herbal Armour....I'll keep thinking...
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Oh yeah, what Pam mentioned about Adams spray, that is what I used exclusively many years ago with my first Lab Duchess, before all these newer products came out. It was really great stuff, killed fleas on contact, and did very well with ticks. If you only need for a hike out there, it is probably the way to go with Jasper, but still check with your vet to see if they may have any other better ideas.
B, AP and girls
There is a new chewable pill called Bravecto that treats fleas and ticks for 3 months. I have not used it myself because we do not have many ticks on this side of the mountains but my clients that camp and hike in Eastern Washington like it. It kills really fast and there is no topical mess. It does not protect against heartworm.
Trifexis does a goods job for fleas and also is labelled for heartworm and intestinal worms but not ticks.
The Preventic collar works great but it is a chemical. Advantix topical works great but it will make cats very sick!
I have not found too many natural products that work well for ticks because those buggers can survive anything. If anybody has a natural product that really works please let me know!
Pam
Thank you EVERYONE for your wonderful suggestions and feedback. Jasper is on Confortis for fleas but I read that it doesn't help w/ticks. I don't plan on being knee deep in any sort of nature but since we are going east toward the mountains ... perhaps we should be prepared. I don't mind getting her a collar for the weekend or even some spray (the Adams stuff). I just don't want to have to remove ticks from her if she gets them. Will they jump in those dumbo ears? Maybe we'll just stay close to the lake and out of the woods! We are not really 'nature girls'....
And Sally... OMG ... I will be wearing super HIGH socks and hats and sleeves to keep the little buggers off of me!
Daniela ... too funny ... we had that "oven thingy" from my childhood. I am not pleased that she ate it.
So thank you everyone (and thank you Vet Pam... yup, eastern washington is how my mom even mentioned it from her hiking). Leave it to me to try and find someplace fun to go! Jasper and I should just head north to Santa Barbara and drink wine and be one w/that kind of nature! LOL
I am getting itchy just thinking about it....
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I just read some place that flea collars are not good. There is a natural spray you can make, vinegar, water and I think Lemon oil. Cannot vouch for how it works. I was at a health food store today and they actually had 2 or 3 natural srays. Again, can't say how well they work. Dimacecous Earth works for fleas, not sure about ticks. I have actually only found one so far this year. It was crawling on my Daryl. Had not attached yet, thank goodness. The coaster thingy, too funny. Lucy's latest, a comb, yes you read right, A COMB! I found comb teeth for a week LOL Have fun on your trip! Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
JL is too cute. She is really pushing her boundaries lately huh LOL.
We have ticks in this area but really lucky that my dogs don't get them. I usually use Frontline plus. I am very careful about buying any products at Walmart or any place. Too scared of any reaction. One of my friends who had a Rottie used one and I can't remember the product she used on Dakota and he started having a reaction. Got very uncoordinated etc and by the time they figured out it was flea/tick med he was too far gone. She had to let him cross to the Bridge. Some dogs/cats have those reactions.
I hate ticks too those nasty buggars.
Have fun on your trip.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Speaking of chewing things up, our Melody pooped ATD signs for weeks. To this day we're still finding bits and pieces all over the yard.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Ticks...
just had them.. one on each of my guys and they were attached! Now.. there are two kinds of ticks.. there are Brown Dog Ticks which are larger than Deer Ticks. Brown dog ticks do not carry the Lyme disease... Deer ticks do. Brown dog ticks are larger and deer ticks are small.. therefore sometime harder to find.
I have a little tick remover plastic thingy in my purse thatI carry and I removed these guys myself. Wilson's tick was not engorged, so had not been attached very long.. but Maggies was.. it was on her ear with all her long hair.. both were brown dog ticks.. phew!
nasty little buggers.. and I had not applied the Advantix yet this year as I usually don't start till May!!
Christine... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
I saw something on FB someone used lint rollers and rolled them over their dogs it pulled off ticks that had not been attached like after a hike. They used it on themselves like pant legs, shirts etc and then the dogs fur.
This is the link to the FB page.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
that's a great idea Michelle...
thanks for the link.. I think I saw that too!
Christine.. with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
EEEK.... this still gives me the heebie jeebies ... thank you for posting on my FB wall, Michelle! Definitely a good idea if the little guys dont attach. Like I said, perhaps JL and I will be doing more wine tasting than hiking on our mini get-away!
Christine - I had no idea so many different kinds of ticks but I can only imagine how they would get lost in the fur of your babies! And Jasper's black so I wouldn't see them! I just worry about them getting in those big dumbo ears of hers!
Grossness!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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