Like many parts of the world, summer in the Ozarks brings out the ticks. That’s why I keep my Sheltie on prescribed tick preventative and check her daily checks after walks. Still, nothing’s 100% effective when it comes to repelling these blood-sucking critters. That’s why, when Sasha showed signs of lethargy and her now-and-then limp became more pronounced, I had her tested for tick-borne disease. Sure enough, she tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. She’s begun a regime of antibiotics, which wreaks havoc with her digestive track. I’m happy to report we seem to be through the worst of it and she’s responding well to treatment.
This graphic, courtesy of Dogs Naturally magazine, shows the different ticks that transmit this disease: 
Ticks, flies, fleas, sand flies, and mosquitoes are all parasites that can transmit what’s known as “Companion Vector Borne Diseases.” Go here to see an interactive map that provides a global perspective of disease occurrence diseases by type of parasite. You can narrow your search by country or state, as well. This site, by the way, also includes general information about ticks and preventative measures.
Here’s a graphic courtesy of The Dogington Post, which highlights places you’ll want to check. (Click on the image to enlarge.)
The AKC’s Canine Health Foundation is another helpful resource. Learn all you can, and be prepared!
As a child we got vaccine. For Rocky Mountain fever. There was 3 shot and it hurt worse than any shot I had.
Ouch! I don’t remember ever getting a vaccine for this. And now I’m curious and wondering how long such vaccines are good for. Research time for me!
I would suggest that you requested a tiger on it. My sister -in-laws and husband both had the disease a couple years ago. I learned as a child when took business to the health department for the shots. You did had there is a good chance you also caught it. Good luck!
Thank you!
My experience was in the late 30s and early 40s. They must have new vaccine. 🌟☕📚💕
Ticks – another reason I prefer winter around here.
They were always worse when the cattle were moved to other fields – or after deer/wild animals left to look for more water or food. Darn little suckers! (They’d on people in the same spots )
Great reminder post
We’ve had several mild winters, and the ticks and chiggers just seem to multiply. fell victim to a tick-borne virus a couple years ago, and was absolutely miserable. I can only imagine how Sasha feels!
Thank you for the information. So far I’ve never found a tick on Katie. And I have her on the preventative. Still…I worry all the time.
Katie has a much thicker coat than my Sasha does, so I imagine your daily checks take quite some time!
Oh we hate ticks. We keep our dogs on preventative year round here in Middle TN. Our winters just do not kill them!
Kay, we have the same problem here. That’s one reasons I’m happy to have opossums wander through our yard–they eat most of the ticks they find. See http://www.wideopenspaces.com/know-opossums-eat-virtually-ticks-yard/ for some cool info!