Was that a reflection of things to come?
While we're still hoping that somehow that was a freak coincidence, it would be foolish to bet on that. The big question remaining what should we do about it?
The last time we tried a tick preventive (Advantix), Cookie had a bad reaction to it. I mean shortly after application she "lost it" and we had to quickly wash it off her.
Oral preventives were on the table. But while a topical can be washed off, what is there to do if Cookie had an adverse reaction to a systemic one? When I asked there are no "antidotes" to any of those products. You'd think there would be, wouldn't you? But supposedly they are so safe that I must be the only one thinking about antidotes.
We considered vaccinating against Lyme instead, but there is a serious concern with that too.
What about benign neglect?
Benign neglect is actually a "technical term" meaning noninterference. This led to a long philosophical discussion about what would be easier to live with should things go wrong. If something bad happens, is it easier to live with it if it was a result of inaction or action? Can you screw up by not doing anything? Sure you can. Which scenario would make one feel worse?
How much difference is there between "we did this to her" and "we didn't stop this from happening?"
We've had enough history of adverse drug reactions to take things lightly.
What we want is what everybody wants. Something effective while completely safe. Is there such a thing?
When discussing this further with Cookie's vet, she recommended a different product, which is supposed to be completely safe. Yet, when I went to their website, side effects warning is the first thing they have on their home page right after the main text. The main text starts with "Safe monthly chewables ..." but only three paragraphs down it has safety information listing that it may cause abnormal neurologic signs such as tremors, decreased conscious proprioception, ataxia, decreased or absent menace, and/or seizures.
Ugh, does that sound safe to you?
I think the day when I reach for an oral tick preventive isn't coming any time soon.
What about collars? The Seresto collar has been recommended to me, and it seems many people use it. Two main active ingredients; one from the class of neonicotinoids and one is from the pyrethroid family just as permethrin which is what is in Advantix.
I remain unhappy with the options.
Benign neglect has been looking better and better.
First, do no harm.
Is there anything a step or two above benign neglect? Voo science. I mentioned the possibility of us reaching to voo science last time. And after long consideration, that's what we decided on (for now anyway).
Yes, we decided to try a flea and tick tag.
It was somewhat tough to pick one as there are a few out there. Maybe they all work, maybe none of them work, maybe there is one, the original, that works and the rest don't. But there is no scenario we can see where the tag itself could be harmful to anything other than our wallet.
So that's our choice (for now).
We installed it, and we shall see what happens. Naturally, it is possible Cookie won't run into any more ticks. It is also possible that she will keep getting them in which case we need to revisit our decision. And there is a chance that the tag actually does work. Who knows?
And maybe one just needs to believe it will work and it will. Placebo effect? I'm all for it.
"... if you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move."~Matthew 17:20
I think I was able to muster mustard seed-size faith.
So that's where we're at.
Cookie, of course, has had no issues with the tag. Let's hope the ticks do, though.
I will update on how things go as the spring progresses.
Related articles:
From The End Of A Lead Line To Casa Jasmine: Meet Cookie, Our New Adoptee
And So It Begins Again(?) Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie
I Didn't Know I Could Fly: Why Cookie Wears A Harness Instead Of A Collar
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews For Dogs CAN Be A Choking Hazzard
Our First Health-Related Heart Attack With Cookie: The Knee Or The Foot?
Creative Solutions And An Incidental Product Review
Too Young For Pot: Cookie's Snack With A Side Of Hydrogen Peroxide
Taming Of The Wild Beast: Cookie's Transition To Civilization
Staying On Top Of The Ears: Cookie Is Not Impressed
Putting The Easy Back Into Walking
Cookie's Ears Are Still Not Happy
The Threat Of The Bulge Is Always Lurking
Today Is Cookie's Three-Months Adoptoversary
Cookie Meets The Electric Horse Fence And Her First Chiropractic Adjustment
Why Examine Your Dog's Vomit?
Why Is That Leg Still Not Happy? Cookie's Leg Keeps Getting Sore
Cookie Too Is Insured With Trupanion
Does Being Insured Mean Being Covered? Our First Claim With Trupanion
Is Cookie's Leg Finally Getting Better?
Is Cookie Going To Be Another Medical Challenge Or Are We Looking Too Closely?
The Project That Is Cookie: Pancreatitis Up Close And Personal
Pancreatitis: Cookie’s Blood Work
Another Belly Upset: Pancreatitis Again Or Not?
Happy Birthday, Cookie
Incontinence? Cookie's Mysterious Leaks
Who's Training Whom? Stick And Treat
Don't Just Stand There, Do Something? Cookie's Mysterious Bumps
Cookie's Mysterious Bumps Update
One Vomit, No Vomit
Happy One-Year Adoptoversary, Cookie!
Cookie's Leaks Are Back: Garden Variety Incontinence Or Not?
Cookie's Leaks Update
Don't Panic, Don't Panic: Know What Your Job Is
The Continuing Saga Of Cookie's Leeks: Trying Chiropractic Approach
Cookie's Minor Eye Irritation
Regular Wellness Exam: Cookie's ALT Was Elevated
Cookie's Plantar Paw Pad Injury
How Far To Take It When The Dog Isn't Sick?
Cookie Has Tapeworm Infection
Cookie's Elevated ALT: The Ultrasound and Cytology
Cookie's ALT Update
The Importance of Observation: Cookie's Chiropractic Adjustment
Sometimes You Don't Even Know What You're Looking at: Cookie's Scary "We Have No Idea What that Was"
Living with an Incontinent Dog
Summer Dangers: Cookie Gets Stung by a Bald-faced Hornet
To Breathe or Not To Breathe: Cookie's Hind Legs Transiently Fail to Work (Again)
Figuring out What Might Be Going on with Cookie's Legs: The Process
Figuring out What Might Be Going on with Cookie's Legs: The Diagnosis
Cookie's Iliopsoas Injury Treatment: Trazodone
Cookie's Iliopsoas Injury Treatment: Other Medications
Cookie's Iliopsoas Injury Treatment: Laser, Hydrotherapy, and Chiropractic
Cookie's Recovery from Iliopsoas Injury: ToeGrips
It Never Rains ... Cookie's New Injury
Mixed Emotions: When What You Should Do Might Not Be What You Should Do for Your Dog
Cookie's New Injury Update
Cookie's Iliopsoas Injury: The Symptoms
Cookie's Iliopsoas Injury: Battling the Zoomies
Cookie's Muscle Injuries: What Else Is Going On?
Theory and Actual Decisions for an Actual Dog Aren't the Same Thing: Cookie's Knee Injury
Does Your Vet Listen to You? Cookie's Post-Sedation Complications
Would I Ever Treat a Symptom Directly?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment for Cookie's Bad Knee(s)
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Cookie's Bad Cruciate Update
Injury or Surgery Recovery: Mishaps versus Setbacks
See Something, Do Something: Cookie's Lumpectomy
Cookie's Lumpectomy Update
Using Pressure Pads to Evaluate Lameness in Dogs: My Observations
Cookie's Musculoskeletal Challenges: What Supplements Am I Using?
Cookie's Musculoskeletal Challenges: Restricted Activity and Weight Management
Cookie's PRP Treatment for Partial Cruciate Tear: Update
Has Your Dog's Physical Therapist Taken Dog Training Classes?
Cookie's PRP Treatment for Partial Cruciate Tear Update and Considering the Future
Cookie's PRP Treatment for Partial Cruciate (CCL/ACL) Tear and Leg Circumference
Cookie's Wellness Exam
Ticked Off at the Tick Situation: What Do You Use for Tick Prevention?
Do you have a story to share?
Your story can help others, maybe even save a life!
What were the first signs you noticed? How did your dog get diagnosed? What treatment did/didn't work for you? What was your experience with your vet(s)? How did you cope with the challenges?
Email me, I'll be happy to hear from you.
Do you know what your dog is telling you about their health?
Learn how to detect and interpret the signs of a potential problem.
An award-winning guide to better understanding what your dog is telling you about their health, Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, is available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.