Yesterday, Dr Helfrich was unsuspectingly working through her day when a a patient (we will call him Buddy) came in shaking his head and clearly uncomfortable. He had been at Shevlin Park and Pine Nursery that day. Given the time of year, we all assumed he had a cheat seed in one or both of his ears. Cheat grass, the bane of all central Oregonian’s existence, is already in full swing here. We are pulling it out of just about every location in a dog that you can imagine.  This poor boy was so itchy and uncomfortable, Dr Helfrich could not go near his ears. 

Dr Helfrich sedated Buddy and looked into his ears.  What she found was not at all what she was expecting, but something much more disturbing.  There, in the ear canal, swimming in a sea of normal ear wax were ticks. Four ticks to be exact.  They were alive and well and luckily not attached.  Dr Helfrich was able to safely remove these creepy crawlers and Buddy is back hiking with his family today!

Ticks in Central Oregon: Why it Matters

Warmer weather and increased outdoor activity mean a higher risk of flea and tick exposure.  We are seeing a rise in tick cases this year- even in pets that stay mostly around the yard or well travelled trails.  Ticks aren’t just gross to look at, they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis.  

Prevention is the Best Way to Protect your Pets

There are many flea and tick preventatives on the market and we can help you choose what is best for you and your pets.  Factors to consider are lifestyle, risk of exposure and other health issues.  Riverside carries many options but there are many more available that can be considered. Please call and talk to us if you are in need of flea and tick prevention.