With summer behind us and fall on the horizon, dog owners are probably concerned they could have a dog tick problem. Ticks can spread disease to both you and your pet. Here are some important things to consider when thinking about fall pet safety:

• Ticks: Although ticks peak in the spring months, the number of adult deer ticks is higher in the fall than it is during any other part of the year. Deer ticks are the ticks that are responsible for spreading Lyme disease—which can be just as much of a danger for you as it is for your pet.
•  If you’re worried you might have a tick problem, there are several things you can do to help. A tick and flea preventative will help keep the bugs away, but if you don’t choose to use them, consider paying more attention to your lawn care. Ticks prefer to live in long grass, so giving your lawn a good manicure, and keeping your pets confined, can help keep your tick problem under control.
•   Grooming: Fall is a good time to remember that keeping your pet’s coat in good shape isn’t just a matter of vanity; it’s also a matter of health. Good grooming enables you to discover ticks hidden in the fur. Regularly brushing your pet avoids matting and always make certain your pet is completely dry after a bath. This helps avoid “hot spots” and other skin irritations that can contribute to poor health.

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Here at Noah’s Ark, we help celebrate the life of your cherished friend by offering a loving and compassionate cremation service. We can provide a plaster paw print, hair clipping, and memorial DVD upon request at no additional cost.

Noah’s Ark Pet Crematory
2643 Old Bridge Road Manasquan, NJ 08736

732-528-6624 or 732-528-NOAH

https://www.noahsarkpetcrematory.com/

It’s that time of year again. The flowers are blooming, days are warmer and longer, and the smell of bar-b-que is a nightly occurrence. These are all things that make me feel so joyful and I’m always anxiously awaiting for them come late March.

What I am not thrilled for the arrival are all the bugs. Ticks specifically, (although I don’t love mosquitoes either). This is year in particular I’ve been hearing more and more tick findings nearly every day. Dogs are bringing them in the house from their backyard, moms and dads are picking them off their children after a run around at the playground. I’ll be honest, I’ve never overly worried about ticks in previous years. This year, however, I am on high alert.

We don’t live in a very wooded area, but even still neighbors are reporting ticks all over! This is NOT okay. What also is not okay for me and my family is spraying my yard and my babies with chemicals. We live mostly chemical free in this house and I am determined to stay that way.

So I’ve turned to essential oils. I’ve used EO for years for various things and I always have a diffuser going in the house with a myriad of different combinations of oils wafting through the rooms.

I also always have EO on my person. I usually smell like a combination of patchouli and lemon. My boys get a mini massage of grape seed oil and lavender nightly. Because of my use of oils in our everyday life, I kind of think this is partly why I have never found a tick on myself or my children. Ticks don’t like oils. They just don’t like the smell of them.

But this year, I’m being proactive and a bit more intentional with my oils. So I did some research and came up with my own combo for tick repellent. So far so good!

My recipe

A tinted glass spray bottle

10 drops young living lemongrass

10 drops young living geranium

Distilled water

Spray away! Safe on children and the dog!

Here are additional oils that you can add or make your own combo. These are all repellents. I would suggest adding the geranium in to any of them as this seems to be the number one tick repellent.

Lavender

Eucalyptus

Citronella

Cedarwood

Lemon

You can also just put a drop of the geranium alone in between your dogs ears. I will do that as well as put a few drops inside my wrists and behind my ears as well as the children’s.

Please use oils with caution as there are some that you are to not put directly on skin or need to be diluted.

If you’re looking for a natural, non toxic way to repel ticks, I suggest this approach 100%.

https://www.babybootcamp.com/mommy-and-me-fitness-exercise-classes-near-me/new-jersey/asbury-park-neptune-nj/

Tickborne diseases are on the rise and prevention should be on everyone’s mind, particularly during the spring, summer, and early fall when ticks are most active. From May through July, people will get more tick bites and tickborne diseases than any other time of year in the United States.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. They can also carry other infections such including Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and West Nile Virus.
Typical symptoms of Lyme include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Rashes may occur in patients that are not the characteristic bullseye rash and might resemble a stretch mark or be a non- descript looking red earlobe or slap face or slap back appearance

If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, the nervous system and the Gastrointestinal tract. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.

Laboratory testing is helpful but are not a requirement to making a diagnosis. Early diagnosis of Lyme can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitats. Wear clothes that cover your body including white colors so you might see the pin point size of the tic and to do tick checks daily.

A holistic way to prevent Lyme disease: crush garlic and basil and apply to the skin if you do not want to use pesticides.

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

Spring is such a great time of year! We enjoy the flowers and the warm weather, yet we are urged to be extra cautious of ticks. Tickborne diseases are on the rise and prevention should be on everyone’s mind, particularly during the spring, summer, and early fall when ticks are most active. From May through July, people will get more tick bites and tickborne diseases than any other time of year in the United States.

Dr Fried says “Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks” He also warns that ticks can carry other infections such including Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and West Nile Virus.
Typical symptoms of Lyme include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Rashes may occur in patients that are not the characteristic bullseye rash and might resemble a stretch mark or be a non- descript looking red earlobe or slap face or slap back appearance

Dr. Fried warns that if left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, the nervous system and the Gastrointestinal tract. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks;

Laboratory testing is helpful but are not a requirement to making a diagnosis. Early diagnosis of Lyme can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides, and reducing tick habitat. Wear clothes that cover your body including white colors so you might see the pin point size of the tic and to do tick checks daily.

Dr. Fried shares a holistic way to prevent Lyme disease: crush garlic and basil and apply to the skin if you do not want to use pesticides.

Call 732 -682- 3425 to contact Dr Fried for an initial consult that leads to a comprehensive treatment plan. Dr. Fried is a gastroenterologist in Ocean, New Jersey who combines the practice of medicine with a specialization in nutrition.  He is one of only 300 doctors across the country who specializes in this area of medicine. As a Physician Nutrition Specialist, Dr. Fried brings a unique point of view to his patients because his training and his approach is more comprehensive than traditional primary care physicians.

“Your health and wellness is my primary concern,”  Martin D. Fried, MD 

https://www.healthydays.info/