Our Take on Ticks

Update (Aug 2013): see here

**The following represents MIBO PDC's personal opinion. You are free to agree/disagree and have your own take on it. We feel that the more is shared, more is learned. Do consult your veterinarian before embarking on any changes for your pet.

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We are discovering that Fleas and Ticks are Developing a Resistance to the Popular Pesticide-Based Treatments. These systemic insecticides that variously kill and disrupt the development of fleas, ticks and other insect parasites, have to be ingested by the insects for them to work. This means that they must have at least one meal of your dog's blood before getting the poisons in the medicated pet's blood into their systems. Hence these new treatments do not stop infected ticks from transmitting Lyme disease, Tick paralysis, and others, or from causing allergic hot-spots in animals allergic to the insects' saliva.

There is no need except under the most unsanitary or tropical (like Singapore) conditions, to have to use potentially life-threatening, health-impairing and environmentally harmful chemicals to ward off ticks, like these new and very expensive anti-flea and tick and other parasite-eliminating drugs, that could put your animal’s health at risk and be of greater environmental risk than the benefits that you may derive from the erroneous belief that these new products will mean your pet will never have fleas or ticks.

Only too often, in spite of using these products, animals get severe allergic reactions to flea bites/saliva, such that they are then routinely put on steroids, thus compounding the risks of these products, especially to animals’ immune and neuro-endocrine systems.

Healthy animals are less attractive, for reasons that science has yet to determine, to fleas and other external and internal pests and parasites, whose whole existence is one of opportunistic survival and multiplication.

Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies and other insects whom we hate and fear are far more ancient than we and our animal companions. We should try to keep these creatures at bay with the least harm to all. And that entails a holistic approach to animal health, and involves the companion animal's emotional / psychological as well as physical well being, (the two being inseparable in the making for a well functioning immune system).

Don't get us wrong, some pets have done, and continue to do, well on established flea and tick products like Frontline. We understand owners have relied on their effectiveness over time. If your pet is one of them, we have no issues for you to continue its usage. Just be aware that even though your environment might not have any parasites present, others do. So while your dog might appear clear from ticks in your home environment, he might already be building resistance to the product and hence show signs when he goes to the dog-park and brings home a couple of "friends".

We (MIBO) like to call it the Mosquito/Antibiotic Theory. If you constantly use/abuse the use of antibiotics to treat/prevent symptoms of disease, you will build a resistance to it - it has been proven. And no matter how you take actions to prevent the onset of mosquitoes, the pests are always around. It's through no fault of your own, you just try to cope with what you can. We do all we can with the choices that we make. If it helps you sleep better at night knowing what you did to help your pet (whatever it may be), then we have done our very best.

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All that said (it read like a science journal!), here's where we stand:

• If you are currently on a F&T programme, feel free to continue it's usage. Just be aware of the possible long term consequences.
• We would prefer that all dogs to be on some form of F&T programme when they check-in. What you choose to protect your dog with is up to the owner. Do note that we will NOT allow any dogs who show signs of ticks to check in.
• We also provide Flea & Tick prevention upon check-in. Do let us know what you prefer:
  1) Spot-on application - best for stays of 3 days or more ($10 per tube, large breeds require 2 tubes)
  2) Spray-on application - (complimentary upon check-in.) Recommended for short stays or as an additional prevention before going home ($10 per application)
  3) De ticking dip & bath - carried out at least 2 days before going home, so as to let any existing ticks die. Only available over weekdays. (as charged by groomer - check with us)
• We treat the MIBO facility once a month with insecticide spray targeted for fleas and ticks. This only takes place when there are no guest dogs. We do not attempt to treat the facility more than once a month as it is a chemical and we have to weigh the pros and cons for your dogs, our resident dogs and cats (the cat species react differently to the chemicals than dogs do). We are continually concerned about their/our regular exposure to the such toxic chemicals.
• If your dog goes home with signs of ticks, do let us know and we will monitor the situation. Based on your experience, we will not hold it against you if you do not choose our services in the future. We are dogs owners too and we can understand your frustration.
• We hope that you are able to be open to new theories (like the ones mentioned above). Our resident dogs are currently 3, 9 and 20 years old respectively (in year 2009). The cats are 1+ year old. We love and care of them as you would your pets; you may/may not agree to the choices that we make (feel free to ask us), but we live here and feel that the environment should also be something that we can all sleep soundly at night in.

This was posted not to offend anyone or cast anyone in a wrong light. We accept that this is Singapore and that the climate (hot/humid) will always pose a challenge in our fight against ticks. This is how we are carrying out the fight.

Thanks for reading! :)

Pepo

Have I said that Beagles are super clever?? Ok I'm saying it now :) Pepo was a little lost when he first came in... and expected to be heading home at anytime. But it took him just a while to get used to the routine and he settled in quite well! 

Oh and can you tell he's 5 years old?! Such the handsome man :)

Post-Xmas-Post-Boxing-Pre-New-Year-Day Treat!

Yum Yum Yum... this is the little treat that the dogs got for dinner today: Oven roast turkey topped with herbs! Needless to say, it was all wolfed down in seconds :) 

Oh and not to worry for the others who could not have turkey, they had chopped steamed carrots and gravy on top of their food instead. No one is left out! 

Happy New Year 2009!

Employment Opportunities

As much as we are a One-(wo)man-Operation, there are times when i do require help during busy periods like the holiday periods. I'm looking for sincere dog lovers to come and have a unique opportunity to get to know all the types of dogs that are out there. Big, small, shy, yappy, bouncy... but most of all, loving.

For those of you who think you possess enough love for the dogs and other animals that swing by our doors, do take a look at the following and decide if you can cope what is needed. You must:

• Have a abundance of love and patience for the dogs, a can-do spirit and be an independent worker
• Embrace all the different characteristics and personalities that come with all the dogs. I've not met 2 dogs are that are completely alike. That's the beauty of it.
• Not have abused any animal before, regardless of species or size
  
• Be able to handle all types of sizes of dogs and all breeds; physically and psychologically
• Have some experience in dog care. Whether you currently own a dog or used to own one, some knowledge is good.
  
• Have a high volume threshold. They bark, whine, bay, cry... all at incredible pitches at times
  
• Keep keen attention to detail - look out for ticks, spills, pet excrement, etc
• Maintain a high level of hygiene and cleanliness. As clients/owners, we will not dream, of leaving our pets in anything less than a clean and healthy environment. You will be expected to weld a vacuum, mop and squeegee... maybe all at once! (no no we are kidding, but you get the picture)
• Not be squeamish about dirt, puke, drool, saliva, diarrhoea, skin conditions, fur stickin onto every part of you, paw marks, scratches, picking up poo, putting out the trash
• Be willing to give the doggies a bath and brush them out
• Be ready to break up dog fights (I'll teach you how!)
• Be available over typical holidays, like June or December, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Labor Day... as these are the busiest times for doggie stay-ins.

If you think you are this special person (wow!), let me know. The position is on a Temporary Part-Time basis unless otherwise mentioned. Renumeration is on a per-hourly basis, with bonuses paid for full completion of the stated duration.

We welcome entusiastic students on holiday breaks (yes you the poly/university student!)

Do email me with your details at themilkbone@gmail.com

Please state your experiences with animals (previous work colleagues not necessary :P) and the duration for which you will be available: include to and from dates as well as timing for your work duties.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Didn't think that I would make it in time for Christmas with pictures but here we are! :)

The ever handsome Ceasar is as joyful as always... sometimes he just gets ahead of himself cuz he's comfortable being with us. He's practically family!

Cookie... oh Cookie! What a transformation! Gone is the shy shy girl hiding behind the door while the world passes her by. She's now vivacious character with a whole lots of spunk! Always wants to play but still trying to understand why some of the other doggies run away when she approaches... silly girl!

But of course some dogs have other things to do besides posing for the camera. That's Oscar, playing with Cookie on the bed. Posing?? Who has time for that?!

White fluffy fur... check. Black button nose... check. 2 big eyes... check. One very pink tongue... check. And that is what makes Shiro! He's so very cute; doesn't know what to make of all the other dogs. Follows them around and copies what they do... haha.

Angel is exactly what her name is! She SUPER SUPER happy to see you :D And her body will burst into turbo-wiggles! But she can be unsure too, like when i hold the camera. Ah, all can be resolved with a little treat for her "hard work" of posing!

Merry Christmas to all the mummys and daddies of all the poochies! May 2009 bring everyone good health and many moments of turbo-wiggles!

Lola

"Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl

With yellow feathers (white whiskers) in her hair and a dress cut down to there (??!!)"

And so sings Barry Manilow in the late 70's hit "Copacabana" :)

Yup Lola is a showstopper alright! She took a while to come out of her box (literally!); but when she did she came out singing! Meow meow mew... haha, just like a little star!

Sisi

Sisi is a sheltie - beautiful tri coloured markings! She can be quite shy at first and doesn't really like anyone sniffing around her butt (seriously, who does?). But once she warms up her antics are entertaining! She follows the other smaller females around and tries to play with them... hmmm... don't think she really knows how!

Old Timers

We had Goldie and Nikki stay with us for an extended period of time - they are like family! :D That black and white "cow" you see in the background is my oldest boy (yup he belongs to me!) - he'll be 20 next year. Live strong Lucky!

Cookie

This is Cookie's second time staying with us at MIBO. I remember that she was quite shy the last time she was here... but my, how things have changed! She clearly remembers this place - now she plays openly with the others, makes full use of the space by running laps around, etc :) What a joy to see her blossom!

Torey

Happy Torey! This long hair chihuahua enjoys the company of the other doggies that are here :) But he is a little sneaky with his food... he looks at the other bowls of food and wonders how come his is not like that. He's such a good boy with loads of charm!