Ticks cause a lot of damage to animals down here.  Because of the humid tropic temps, they flourish all year round – attacking pets and animals of all kind and some humans too!  They carry diseases like anaplamosis and ehrlichia that can kill an animal easily.

 

As I was spraying today, (I fumigate once a week to fight the battle against the ticks) I got really excited.  I remembered one of the things I used to do for the community I lived in.  I would save up all my plastic bottles.  I would mix it with mostly water and a half a cap full of this product called Bovitraz.  

 

Bovitraz has a wide range of uses, but what I like it for most of all is spray for ticks.  Ticks like to climb up the walls and burrow into little holes, lay eggs and get hungry.  By spraying the walls once a week, I have barely any ticks, and no real need to put flea and tick meds on the dogs here at my home.  When I was operating a shelter, it was really important to spray because having up to 45 dogs and puppies can equal a HECK of a lot of ticks if you’re not careful.  The disapointing thing about flea and tick meds is, they dont really repel anything.  Sure, once the liquid has soaked into the system of the dog, they can kill off what ever ticks are feeding on the animal, but… they still need to feed and the dogs can still get sick.  Now, on those cases where they have tons of ticks, yes!  Get those meds on them.  But for locals here, those meds are expensive and it does not get to the root of the problem and get rid of the ticks and their nests.  They keep coming and coming.  

 

 Bovitraz has a wide range of uses.  It can be used as a dip for mange and fleas and ticks.  It does need to be done carefully as Bovitraz is a strong pesticide, but it is great to treat those severe cases.  A half a capful of bovitraz, costs about 5 or 6 pesos.  It can kill all the ticks currently on the animal, kill the mange mites and with proper fumigation and care, the animal can live comfy and tick/mange free!  Bovitraz is SUCH a cheap, efficient option for the locals but many dont know how to effectively use it.  With the mobile clinic we will be able to teach them, provide them with their first few bottle mixes, help show them how to safely use it on their animal in the severe cases, and encourage them to do a good wall, property line spray – even if bi weekly or monthly, it will STILL have an impact!  One bottle of Bovitraz can last a household easily 6 weeks to 3 months depending on how often they choose to spray.  A bottle costs 120 pesos at the feed stores.  Its easily accessable!  The owners will know where to get it in their community.  And an even happier outcome for the animals?  Pet owners are a LOT more likely to allow their animals to come inside the home IF they are not covered in parasites and pesky bugs!  

 

I really cant wait to get the wheels turning on the mobile clinic.  It is going to make a world of difference to both the animals and the people!  Please keep an eye out for a special fundraiser coming soon to get the clinic on the road or you can visit the site under donations and I will put those donations aside for the mobile vet clinic fundraiser!  Please say in the comments section “mobile” to be sure it goes towards that specific fundraiser.  🙂

I am a little sad today.  I went to check on the momma and pups after picking up my daughter from school.  I saw them on the way to her school, but they seem to have vanished by the time I came back 15 minutes later.  A really nice neighbour has been helping me to locate the owner, explain about sterilization and keeping her and the pups indoors.  I have even offered to take all 3 of them in, have them sterilized and vaccinated and can help find good, responsible homes for the pups.  The sad part… we went to the apartment in the front that has a big fenced in area. 

The people there have 3 dogs, including one of the pups from the momma dog.  Well, her male who I photographed a month ago WITH the momma dog (who she claims she NEVER lets run the street) has TVT.  He is dripping blood so badly now, they have a shirt on him to try and contain it.  I confronted the woman when she said she never lets him out, and showed her the photos.  I told her he contracted the cancer because he is not fixed and because she let him run in the street.  But now we KNOW, momma dog will have it too as they know, he was the one mating with her. 

TVT is a contagious cancer that is curable, but really expensive for the locals.  When I found out today, he is the father of the pups, my heart broke.  Momma dog will grow tumors soon enough, she will spread it to other males as she comes into heat and the other dogs and pups living in this small apartment, can all get it too.  This is why spay and neuter is SO important. 

I am going to try and convince the owner to let me take her as soon as possible for her spay, and we will try to raise the funds to have her chemo treatment done at another vet clinic.  The cost, I do not know at this point.  The owner of the male dog, well she has plans to take her male dog to the pererra (the local dog pound) to put him to sleep because they cannot afford the treatment. 

TVT IS curable.  But without affordable access, they can not help their animals.  This is why we desperately need the mobile vet clinic.  We will be able to deliver these services at cost!  This will save countless lives, avoid unwanted puppies from being born, educate families about proper animal care and greatly increase the quality of life for everyone! 

I could ever ask for is a 5 year old little girl named Katie. She’s a little mini me! From bringing scared pups out of their shells, to training dogs how to be with children… “No jumping” she says, as she wags her finger. I couldn’t have hoped for a better little helper. Every afternoon after school and almost all days on weekends, this little whipper snapper is playing it up with the dogs, teaching them manners, hugging and cuddling them, making beds for them and always making sure they have their share of toys and more. She does not know what a huge impact she has on these animals or how she is preparing them for future success with their forever families – but I do and I have to say..I am one proud mother!

We are organizing a spay and neuter campaign for this spring in the Cancun area! We need 3 to 4 realllly good peeps here that can help me get the things we need locally. Please inbox me if you or someone you know may be interested! 🙂 

Thanks to the AMAZING DESIGN GODDESS a.k.a Sherri Martins. I really had no idea what I wanted for a logo but I shared with Sherri my favorite Simòn smile and she nailed it! I love it!!! Thank you Sherri for not only being the best Momma to my Stubby and Crystal, but also for this totally cool LOGO! I LOVE it!!!