PLEASE READ - PAWS to PLAY! - A Tick-Free Environment

 

Don't Be Ticked Off About Ticks -- Just Deal With Them!

 

Ticks are familiar to many of us in Arizona, where they are found year-round in most of the state. This year they are especially numerous and pesky due to the high heat and humidity we have all been suffering through. Ticks perch on the leave of vegetation, extending their front legs - a behavior called "questing" by biologists - then grab our clothing and our pet's fur as we brush by them. Having claimed their host, they "drill" into bare skin using a specialized mouthpart with tenacious beak-like projections. If left alone, they can stay locked tight for days, until fattened up on a blood meal. Other types of ticks live in nests, burrows and caves and, like fleas, feed from their hosts for brief periods of time.

 

Prevention is our number one defense against this adversary! Effective preventatives, safe and easy to use, are available to keep your pet tick free.

 

PAWS to PLAY! has the facility and grounds commercially sprayed every 2 weeks by a company that uses organic products only. In order to eliminate any ticks being brought into the daycare, effective immediately, we are also requiring all dogs to be treated when coming into the facility for daycare or boarding. Starting August 15, 2006 we will discuss with you an individual plan for your dog.

 

We recommend Adams, Frontline or Zodiak: don't settle for substitutions with "look-alike" products.

 

Tick dips are the fastest way to eliminate ticks. If you or us find ticks on your dog, they can be dipped with Adams Pyrethrin Dip, which is the best, most effective way to quickly kill ticks and offer residual protection, and then be treated with Frontline or receive an approved collar. There is a $15 fee for dipping, or $10 if the dog is being groomed.

 

Frontline is an oil that is applied monthly to the skin between the shoulder blades. Each application kills ticks for one month (and fleas for 3 months). A 3 month supply runs between $50 - $65 if you choose to apply it yourself. Preferred: have us apply it for a 10% discount.

 

Zodiac collars kill ticks for up to 5 months and are a bargain at around $12 apiece. Clinical studies have proven them to be as effective as Frontline for tick control, but remember, they have no activity against fleas. Also remember that many other brands of flea/tick collars are essentially useless. Since the Zodiac collar must remain in close contact with the skin to be effective, it is necessary to secure it around a dogs throatlatch area (just underneath the jaw and behind the ears), so that it doesn't slide up and down the neck like his regular collar. Instead of cutting off the excess, you may use a paper hole punch to punch holes and secure the loose end with a twist tie.

 

If you are finding ticks on your dogs, I recommend spraying your yard with Adams Yard Spray or an equivalent product every two weeks until no more ticks. Spray grass, bushes, wood siding, everything. Adams comes with it's own hose-end sprayer for $23 (treats 6000 sq ft), just attach to your hose and spray - no calculations, expensive spraying equipment, or measuring of chemicals required. Far easier than mixing pesticides and packing around a heavy pump sprayer. If you want to hire someone, we use Proven Ecological at 800-791-1147 or talk to your exterminator. Use a good mist or fogger inside. Follow all directions

 

Make it a daily habit to check your pet for ticks hiding in the fur, ears, between the toes and other easy to miss places. Be extra cautious if taking your dog to dog parks, hiking, camping, places like Petsmart, or if the dog plays around, or walks through any vegetation.

 

Questions? - please talk to Dawn . Thank you for your help in keeping PAWS to PLAY! a tick-free environment for the safety of your dog, all his/her playmates, you, and our staff.

 

(*For your convenience, tick products are available now at PAWS to PLAY!)