Some tick borne diseases (such as Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis) can lay dormant for years before causing disease. RMSF does not lay dormant for months without causing disease. Non-pathogenic strains of Rickettsial organisms can cause false positive test results to RMSF. A healthy dog with normal bloodwork that has a positive RMSF titer is unlikely to have true RMSF.

This is very difficult to determine. Currently there are different theories as to the level and amount of climate change. Some models predict large changes in rainfall patterns, while other predict small changes. We may expect with increases in rainfall there would be an increase in mosquito numbers and a subsequent increase in mosquito-borne diseases, however this may not be the case.

iI is a good idea to check one's body at the end of the day to make sure none have latched on. In frequent trips there, we have never encountered the ticks or heard of anyone who has contracted the disease BUT there are reported cases in the Altai. See www.mdtravelhealth.com for more info.

Sometimes the symptoms are few and subtle to see in the later stages of tick disease (sub-clinical or chronic). It is unlikely a dog would have all of the symptoms, as the list is quite long. Here are some of the symptoms of Ehrlichiosis. Babesiosis, RMSF and Lyme disease have many of these symptoms too.

The most important thing is to make sure that you remove all the tick, including the mouth parts that are buried in your skin. Also, do not squeeze the body of the tick when you are removing it. This can force its stomach contents into the wound and increase the chance of infection. If you have found a tick, you have three choices: Get someone else to remove the tick for you. If you can't reach it or see it clearly. For example, if it's on your scalp or some other hard-to-reach place.

Any tick should be removed as soon as possible. The best way is to use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Do not squeeze the tick's body when removing it. Do not handle ticks with bare hands. Wash your hands after removing a tick. You may want to apply an antiseptic on the bite. After removing, drown the tick in alcohol or kerosene and keep it in case illness occurs so you can show it to your doctor or send it for identification.

Insect repellent may be applied to the tick, which will kill it. The tick should be removed with the aid of a pair of fine tipped forceps; the tick needs to be grasped as close the skin of the host as possible, and then forcibly removed. (BACK)

Food borne disease is commonly known as food poisoning and can occur when food is not handled correctly. These are illnesses transmitted by food or water, caused by very small numbers of bacteria. Foodborne infection can be severe and in some cases, fatal. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Hips - Canine Hip Diplasia (CHD) merits concern by all doodle breeders and its prevalence may be reduced with selective breeding. CHD is caused by a poorly formed ball-and-socket joint in the hip. The quality of this joint may be screened by x-ray and can then be certified by either the OFA or PennHip organizations. To select for new parents at Sunshine Acres, we only use those who rank within the top 50th percentile on their PennHip scores with most of our parents ranking in the 80th and above.

It has been observed that several patients with elevated CRP levels are also more prone to diabetes, heart attack, hypertension, stroke etc. The identification of CRP molecules in the blood can helps in evaluating disease progression and prognosis of many non-inflammatory disorders. So, results of CRP test are helpful in several other tests viz. LDL-cholesterol profiling, diabetic interpretation, ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) profiling etc.

Recent research suggests that a prolonged QT-interval could be an important cause for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mutations in the KCNJ2 gene are associated with Andersen syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, skeletal developmental abnormalities and a prolonged QT-interval (see point 2) with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the prolongation of the QT-interval, AS is considered a subtype of long QT syndrome.

The following is an excerpt from a pamphlet on Athlete's Foot by the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1994: Athlete's foot does not occur among people who traditionally go barefoot. It's moisture, sweating and lack of proper ventilation of the feet that present the perfect setting for the fungus of athlete's foot to grow.

Theoretically, tests that measure antibody response (i.e., serologic titers) may help veterinarians determine the need for revaccination in some cases. Unfortunately, veterinarians cannot be certain that a specific concentration of antibody is always protective or that a lower concentration leaves an animal unprotected. This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

When a tick is removed, commonly a portion of the head or the mouthparts are left behind. Generally this does not cause any problems as the head of the tick will fall out as the skin sloughs off in time. However, if a local reaction does occur, then a physician should be consulted. (BACK)

A variety of methods exist to reduce the possibility of tick bite and prevention is best achieved via some form of personal protection. People who bushwalk in tick infested areas need to use an insect repellent, particularly one containing the chemical DEET, and this should be applied regularly to clothing. Wearing light coloured clothing is useful as ticks can be more easily spotted. Bushland locations which are highly tick infested should be avoided. (BACK)

Treatment is the same as that for mosquitoes; cold water and ice can be useful to relieve itching, although ice should not be applied directly to the skin. A variety of commercial preparations can be obtained from the chemist including Eurax? and Stingose?. In severe cases, oral antihistamines may have to be administered and if symptoms persist, a physician should be consulted. (BACK)