RobbieTheCocker

Some good advice from Rappie there. Also watch for coughing or gagging (like a cat with furballs), vomitting, refusal of food, or halucinations (dog barking at something only it can see). The reason for the medication is, even if you groom your Cocker daily, a tick that's on the dog for only 20 hours or so can still do a lot of harm before it's discovered... the poison still circulates in the dog's system even after the tick's removal, so preventing the bite in the first place is vital. Tick prevention medication alone won't act against the effects of the poison once it's in the dog's system, an anti-serum will be required after that point. Don't be frightened about this aspect of Cocker ownership... Most Cockers love to be groomed and a well cared-for coat will keep your dog looking it's best and make checking for ticks a breeze.

Hi Mclennan, you may find that your Cocker will be more likely to pick up ticks in the bush, but simply being in the suburbs is no guarantee against ticks either. You should do a tick patrol as part of the normal daily grooming routine your Cocker will require anyway, as ticks tend to latch on in the areas where knots will usually start on the coat: ie under & in the ears, around the neck and in the armpits & around the upper limbs. Of course, make sure to keep up with a tick prevention medication as well. We moved from Vic up to Qld last year, & got caught out recently by a paralysis tick bite on one of our Cockers... the tick problem in the warmer climes may be more of a problem than you might ordinarily be used to.