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How to safely get rid of ticks.

Ticks are tiny creatures that feed on the blood of animals like mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles. Even though they may seem harmless, ticks can spread diseases to humans through their bites. It’s important to remove and dispose of ticks properly to lower the chance of getting sick from these diseases.

The Problem with Ticks

Ticks can carry illnesses like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and babesiosis. These diseases can be very serious if not treated, so it’s important to be careful when handling ticks.

You’ve Got a Tick On You – What Should You Do?

If you find a tick attached to your skin, you should remove it carefully and quickly. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin as possible, then pull it out in one smooth motion. Don’t squeeze or twist the tick, as this can cause it to release harmful substances into the wound.

What Not to Do When You Have a Tick On You

When you find a tick on your skin, avoid using home remedies like matches, nail polish remover, or Vaseline to remove it. These can stress the tick and increase the risk of disease. Don’t squeeze the tick or try to burn it off, as this may cause it to release harmful bacteria into your skin.

How to Dispose of the Tick

After removing the tick, make sure to dispose of it properly. You can place the tick in a sealed bag or container to keep it away from humans and animals, or flush it down the toilet. Proper disposal helps prevent any further contact and reduces the risk of disease transmission.

Checking Your Pets for Ticks

To check your pets for ticks, make sure to do regular inspections, especially during warmer months when ticks are most active. Even in winter, ticks can survive in cold temperatures. Focus on areas like the ears, armpits, skin folds, toes, and groin. Gently comb through the fur and feel for small, firm bumps on the skin. Using a fine-toothed comb and parting the fur can help you find ticks more easily. The more often you check, the easier it will be to spot ticks on your pet.

To Flush or Not To Flush?

When removing ticks from your pet, it’s important to do so carefully. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out with steady, even pressure to make sure you remove the entire tick. Avoid crushing the tick. Instead, place it in a sealed container for identification by a veterinarian. If you’re unable to take it to the vet, wrapping it in tape or putting it in a sealed bag is a safe disposal method. Flushing the tick down the toilet is also an option, but veterinarians may suggest bringing it in for identification and further evaluation.

All About Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most well-known diseases spread by ticks. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, tiredness, and a rash called erythema migrans. If not treated, Lyme disease can lead to serious problems with the heart, joints, and nervous system.

Symptoms to Watch Out for After a Tick Bite

After a tick bite, it’s important to watch for symptoms of tick-borne diseases. Early signs of Lyme disease can include flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and muscle aches. In some cases, a red bullseye-shaped rash may appear around the bite, which could signal an infection. Other tick-borne diseases might cause fever, chills, and fatigue.

What to Do If You Have

If you notice any symptoms after a tick bite, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Let your healthcare provider know about the tick bite and any symptoms you’re having. Early diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases can help prevent more serious health issues.

The Bottom.Line

Veterinarian doctor removing a tick from the Cocker Spaniel dog - animal and pet veterinary care concept

Proper removal and disposal of ticks are essential steps in reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases. By following the correct procedures for tick removal and disposing of ticks safely, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the potential harm caused by these tiny parasites. Stay vigilant, especially during outdoor activities, and always seek medical advice if you suspect you may have been exposed to tick-borne illnesses. Your health and safety are paramount when dealing with ticks.

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Purple butterfly sticker near newborns – here’s what it means

Only weeks after Millie Smith and Lewis Cann learned they were having twin baby girls, they learned that only one would survive.

On April 30, after 30 weeks of a high-risk pregnancy, Smith delivered identical twins, Callie and Skye, the latter who lived only three hours.

Later in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Callie slept without her sister in the incubator, with her loving and grieving parents watching over her. In the unit with other babies, an overwhelmed mom of healthy newborn twins innocently told Smith that she was “so lucky” to not have two babies.

Crushed by the words, the new mom couldn’t find the words to explain her loss. Then, she realized that Skye’s legacy was to help other families who lose a child, and it came in the form of a purple butterfly.

In November 2015 Millie Smith and partner Lewis Cann found out they were having their first Child. Smith, who has twins in the family, said she had a “gut feeling” about having a duo and 10 weeks later, doctors confirmed she was expecting identical twin girls.

Less than two weeks after the excitement of knowing they would double the children in their home, the British couple were devastated to learn that one of their babies had a fatal condition and wouldn’t survive after birth.

“During the scan, the doctor didn’t say anything. I was very excited and loved seeing the little babies, but she was silent. Both Lewis and I immediately knew there must be a problem,” Smith said.

Doctors shared the news that one of the babies had anencephaly, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affects about one in 4,600 babies across the U.S. It’s a serious birth defect where a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull, and “almost all babies born with anencephaly will die shortly after birth.”

Knowing that one baby would die soon after birth, and that there were risks involved for their other baby, the couple decided to move forward with the extremely high-risk pregnancy.

Over the next several months, Smith and Cann named their twins Skye and Callie. “We knew that Skye needed to have a name before she was born,” Smith said. “Knowing she would only survive for seconds or minutes, I wanted her to be named during that time.”

The meaning behind “Skye,” she explained “was somewhere we knew she would always be, that we could look up at the sky and remember our baby.”

When Smith went into labor after only 30 weeks on April 30, she needed an emergency C-section. To help navigate the loss, the couple had a “bereavement midwife” during the birth, and they were put I a special room the called the “Daisy Room,” where families can spend time with a baby before and after she/he passes.

“When the girls were born, they both cried. This was a huge moment, as we were told that Skye would not make a noise or move,” said Smith, who was thankful to have three hours with Skye before she died. “We were cuddling Skye when she passed away. This was the worst moment in our lives. I have never ever felt heartbreak like that before. But I am proud that she fought for so long to spend time with us.”

Born premature, Callie had to stay in NICU while she gained some strength and also in the unit were three other sets of twin.

“Most of the nurses were aware of what had happened, but as time passed, people stopped talking about Skye. After about four weeks, everyone acted as though nothing had happened, meaning the families around me had no idea about our situation,” Smith recalled.

One morning, a stressed mother whose twins were also in NICU, harmlessly said to Smith that she was “so lucky” to not have twins.

“None of the other parents knew what had happened or anything about Skye. The comment was completely innocent and more out of humor…They weren’t to know that I did at one point have two.” Smith continued, “But the comment nearly broke me. I ran out [of] the room in tears and they had no idea why. I didn’t have the heart to tell them what had happened. A simple sticker would have avoided that entire situation.”

It was in that moment Smith realized she had to create something that would speak for parents who had just lost a baby, ensuring the misunderstanding never happens again.

She designed a poster for the NICU explaining both hospital personnel and visitors that any incubator with a purple butterfly on it means that one or more babies, in a set of multiples were lost.

“I chose butterflies, as I felt it was fitting to remember the babies that flew away, the color purple because it is suitable for both boys or girls,” said Smith.

The purple butterfly concept–now under the Skye High Foundation–has spread to hospitals in several countries around the world.

Callie is now a lively, happy seven-year-old, and twin’s memory lives in purple butterfly cards along with other initiatives to help families with babies like Skye all over the world. The purple butterflies now come in numerous forms, like ornaments, cards, blankets, stuffed animals and more.

“Ultimately I will never be able to stop this from happening but the more support groups we can set up and put things in place like the stickers the better it will be. It’s the hardest thing anyone has to deal with,” Smith said.

Losing a child of any age can’t be easy for a parent and the world is blessed for people like Millie Smith who’s aiming to help others.

Please share this story so others know what a purple butterfly next to a newborn means!

If you enjoyed reading this story about Millie Smith and her twins, you’ll probably also love the story about a new mom who thought she was having seven babies, but instead had nine!

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Perplexing picture of ‘headless’ dog leaves people baffled

All of us who adore animals also love to gaze at photographs of our furry companions. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in – if I see an adorable puppy, a playful tiger cub, or a beautiful horse, a smile forms on my lips.

But sometimes, you come across animal pictures that leave you speechless. And with the image we’re about to look at now, I believe you’ll feel much the same as everyone else on the internet – what am I actually looking at?

To uncover the truth, I suggest you scroll down…

A certain photo has been circulating on the internet for some time now, and it’s causing quite a commotion due to its puzzling subject.

Initially, it appears to depict a dog without a head – which understandably triggered widespread panic and concern. But this is the kind of image that will make you do multiple double-takes just to grasp what’s happening in the picture…

Fortunately, the reality is not as ominous as your initial impression might suggest, and for that, we’re truly grateful.

The picture was uploaded to Imgur in 2019, and it didn’t take long for it to create quite a buzz. And it’s easy to understand why. In a short period of time, image garnered more than 143,000 views and received 3,200 upvotes.

But thankfully, it was later revealed that there was no cause for alarm regarding the dog. So, what was the truth behind the scary image?

It turns out that it simply featured a dog who had undergone surgery to have its front leg amputated, which was a sad but necessary procedure.

The photo was the unfortunate result of the dog’s owner attempting to capture an image just as the dog turned around to lick its side. To clarify things for online users, someone used a drawing diagram to illustrate how the picture came about and posted it on Reddit. No everything makes sense, right?

Reddit

To alleviate any remaining concerns, the dog’s owner stepped forward and shared a full-front picture of the now-famous pup with his three legs.

This adorable little canine has captured our hearts, and it’s safe to say that it won’t be long before he becomes a social media pet influencer.

Doggo

What do you think? I think he is so adorable!❣️💯

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Kelly Ripa breaks down on TV after losing her 17-year-old dog

Kelly Ripa and her husband are mourning a heartbreaking loss.

On Wednesday, Ripa became emotional on live television as she spoke about the passing of her beloved dog, Chewie.

Fighting back tears, she admitted she thought she had already processed her grief—but the emotions were still overwhelming.

Couldn’t stop crying

Losing a dog is like losing a family member — that’s something every pet owner understands. Now, Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos are mourning the loss of their beloved 17-year-old dog, Chewie. After weeks of declining appetite, the couple faced the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye.

The popular TV presenter shared the heartbreaking news during an emotional episode of Live with Kelly and Mark on Wednesday. Mark opened the show and said that their beloved dog, Chewie, had passed away at 17.

He shared that Chewie’s health had deteriorated rapidly — she had stopped eating and was severely dehydrated. As soon as Kelly heard the words, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

She tried to stay composed, but the emotions were simply too overwhelming.

”I’m really sorry. I thought I got it all out, guys. I really thought I got it all out, and I apologize because I did not. This is not how I wanted this to go down. God, she gave us so much,” Ripa shared.

According to Kelly, Chewie was a truly special and loving dog. As Kelly and Mark’s children grew up and left for college, Chewie remained a constant presence in their home — a family member, a loyal companion, and a source of endless joy.

Chewie was like a cat

”She was very much like a cat, you know, in a lot of ways,” Kelly shared and continued:

”She pet you when she wanted affection. She never let us kiss her face. She was very precious about her face. She was not that dog. And, after she passed away last night, I kissed her a thousand times on the face, I kissed her nose.”

”I’d never kissed her nose before. And I know that she was like, somewhere in dog heaven, p**sed! But, I didn’t care because it was just so nice to have that.”

Kelly and Mark’s heartfelt and honest words about Chewie touched many, especially those watching the show. Countless fans have reached out to Kelly on Instagram to share their condolences, according to Daily Mail.

Fans poured out their support for Kelly Ripa on Instagram, expressing their sympathy after she tearfully shared the heartbreaking loss of Chewie.

One person wrote: “Watching you now and crying! Don’t apologize! Chewie is part of your family! I went through it too. It’s been seven months, and I’m still missing mine! You were always talking about both your dogs! Chewie had a great life! I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Another added: “I cried with you while you guys were talking about Chewie, felt like I knew the pup well from how you spoke so lovingly of her. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is losing a member of your family, and there was no need for you to apologize. We all felt horribly for you. She’s resting in peace now, looking down on you. God Bless you all.”

A third viewer shared: “I’m watching the show and crying about the loss of Chewie! They are your fur babies and bring us so much joy. Grieve as much as you need to. I will be praying for you and your family!”

Another heartfelt message read: “I knew the moment you walked out today what had happened. So very sorry for your loss. Do not apologize for being upset. She will always be a part of your family. We dog owners understand.”

Losing a beloved pet is like losing a piece of your heart, and Kelly Ripa’s raw emotions only prove how much love she had for Chewie. As one fan beautifully put it, “It shows her humanity.”

Our deepest condolences to Kelly and Mark during this difficult time. If you’ve ever loved and lost a furry friend, you know how deep this pain runs—feel free to share this story to honor Chewie and all the pets who’ve left paw prints on our hearts. ❤️🐾

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