Natural anti critter stuff

[Newfs Forever]

What natural substances does anyone use for the furheimers to prevent ticks, etc.? I mean holistic/homeopathic.

Please do not suggest Frontline, etc.

Just found a tick ambling across Dex's back this evening. THEY'RE HERE!!!!!! OH, goody gum drops!!!

TIA,

 

[mulenag]

I just came across this website...I haven't ordered from them yet or tried any of these products, but there may be some options here...

Only Natural Pet

 

[Newfs Forever]

Thanks, Beck

I do use a lot of natural stuff on them, but I do still get some ticks. Fortunately, I have never had fleas with any of my dogs. Thank doG for that.

I have tried garlic in dehydrated states, in hydrated states and to no avail.

However, I have been somewhat successful with an almond oil and rose geranium blend applied to their bodies. I also use a black walnut tincture in their food. And WHEN, I can remember and get them before they go out the dog doors, I use "Cloud Nine" mist on them. I have tried that myself and it does work. However, you have to reapply it after about 15 minutes.

Thanks,

 

[RhodyNewf]

I used Buck Mountain Parasite Dust on them last year. It is kind of a pain, but worth it IMO. You have to dust the dog with the powder, it is in a can like sprinkle parmasean cheese. But with the newfs, you actually have to work it through their fur, down to the skin. It has to be reapplied every few days in peak season, and after any time they get wet.
http://www.buckmountainbotanicals.com/pages/parasite_dust.html
The other thing is, you have to find a vet that carries it. I only found 1 tick on Morgan all last year, which is great since I live in very tick populated area. However, I ran out at the end of the fall but it hadnt frosted yet and I found 3 on her in 1 week, so I think it definately works. I ran out and bought more!!!

 

[ChestersNewfyMom]

anyone heard of or used ???

Perma-Guard D-20 Diatomaceous Earth

www.dirtworks.net

 

[Sailorgirl]

Two years ago I used Frontline. Total number of ticks FOUND on my dogs: 3.
Last year I used Frontline for a couple months then couldn't stomach using that anymore and switched to a garlic regime. Total number of ticks FOUND on my dogs: 3.

I emphasize "found" because I'm not naive enough to think that's all the ticks they had. Anyway, I'm not sure if my little experiment proves that neither works, that I'm just lucky, or that they work equally well. I'm considering using some of the spray natural oils, etc., such as Sue mentioned, as well this year. The more I learn about Frontline and products like it, the more I just don't feel comfortable putting on my dogs.

As for the D.E. I've heard of adding the food grade version to their food as a natural wormer.

 

[sarnewfie]

i do not use frontline and never will, i do not like the fact that it is poison, and, use a light amt of garlic powder in their noodles or fish or hamburger.
they have not had any visible ticks that i can see and if they should i can spot them pretty easily becouse i keep mine properly groomed and maintained to where the tics are very visible if you know how to look for them.

 

[ardeagold]

the tics are very visible if you know how to look for them.

Deer ticks aren't. They're the size of the head of a pin when engorged. Smaller when they haven't "feasted" yet. Unfortunately, we (Jacques and I) have had enough of them on us to know what they look like. They are SO tiny, they're virtually invisible.

Finding one on a black dog...or a black and white dog...or even a Golden, is close to impossible.

They're the ticks that carry Lyme. And, once you see one, you'll clearly understand how they can be missed.

I think the potential for a dog getting Lyme is dependent on where you live. We live in a highly infested area, where high numbers of animals and humans get Lyme and Ehrlichiosis..and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever every year. Other areas of the country are less risky.

Here's the CDC's "Lyme Risk" map for the country. We live in a black area....that little tip of a peninsula at the end of Maryland.

Nothing works here. You just do the best you can (Frontline and vaccinations) and hope for the best.

TWO Holistic Vets have told us to use the Frontline AND get the vaccines. They said that given where we live, the risks associated with the tick bites are more dangerous than the risks associated with the meds.

Shoot...forgot the link.

Here ya go:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/riskmap.htm

[ 03-27-2007, 12:32 AM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[sarnewfie]

i have found deer ticks, normally they hang by the eyes.
i also have yet to have lymes in my dogs.
i have picked my share of them off customers dogs also and put them on tape for them to bring to their vet for identification. i know allllll about those pesky critters.
i am very fortunate.
i also wonder how many test positive that will never exhibit symptoms of the disease?
the ticks still bite the dogs with frontline, that is how it kills them, and there is a kill time.
i for one choose to do with mine as i will as you also in turn will do with yours.

[ 03-27-2007, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]

 

[ardeagold]

i also wonder how many test positive that will never exhibit symptoms of the disease?

There are some. That's why with those dogs, if they test positive on the SNAP test, the Vet will send bloodwork out for the C6 antibody.

I don't think the issue is the deer tick itself. It's the Lyme infested deer ticks that are the problem.

There are hotspost for Lyme, as you can see on the map, and within those hotspots...there are local areas that are even worse.

If you've never had Lyme or none of your animals have had Lyme...that's great. But here, humans and animals alike get it like we get colds.

Jacques and I know what to look for on our own bodies. Didn't help him, or his son, when it came to getting sick. He's had ehrlichiosis, his son has had Lyme.

This isn't a good place to be if you hope for your family to avoid those diseases. You've got about a 50/50 chance if you get bitten by a tick here...and no doubt, you will be.

I see that Wisconsin has some hotspots too...black areas on the map. Those are the areas that you're more likely to contract Lyme.

I think I'll move to Colorado. Looks like the perfect place on the map!

[ 03-27-2007, 04:42 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[sarnewfie]

i know all about the lymes ardea, but it is good for novices to read this info, yes we have human related cases here and from up north where i groomed tonns of dogs

 

[ardeagold]

Yep...it is good for novices to read about it.

But, I don't think it's fair to insinuate that someone isn't grooming their dog properly if it gets Lyme.

That's like saying that Jacques doesn't bathe frequently enough because he got Ehrlichiosis (also caused by a tick bite).

The dogs we groom the MOST...Molly (because she's a Landseer and the white gets gross), Lucy (she's a very blonde Golden and also gets yukky), and Ray...ditto on the blonde Golden, are the THREE who have had Lyme recently (over the past two-three years).

In fact Ray has it as we speak, and he's probably gone over the most, because his fur will mat on the chest and rear feathers if I don't keep on him every other day at a minimum.

I have never seen a tick on any of them in years. I've never seen them scratch or itch. The Golden's skin is easier to see than a Newf's and still, obviously I've missed something.

So....as careful as one is, even with grooming, shots and Frontline, a dog can still get Lyme.

I think that's important for a novice to know too.

 

[sarnewfie]

ummmm did i SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT?>?????
show me where i did! just becouse i stated that i keep mine groomed out, does not mean i said what your whole post insinuates!!!!

[ 03-27-2007, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]

 

[ardeagold]

they have not had any visible ticks that i can see and if they should i can spot them pretty easily becouse i keep mine properly groomed and maintained to where the tics are very visible if you know how to look for them.

Nope...you didn't explicitly say that, but yes, you did imply it....or maybe it's just the way I read it.

 

[Garden_girl]

Sar lives in the minimal to low risk section of WI, I live in the center of WI, right where the black spot is on the center of WI on the map. My dogs get covered in ticks every year and some of the ticks come from my backyard, not all are deer ticks. I know several people that have contracted Lyme's disease. So, you weigh the risks when you live in those areas. I choose to vaccinate and use Frontline. I think most people who have pets that have contracted Lyme's disease with symptoms have wished they had vaccinated.
If I don't start Frontline early enough in the tick season, I'll find swollen ticks on them. I also have to wonder how many arthritic dogs have Lyme's disease and are never tested for it.

If there was a vaccine for Blastomycosis, they would get that vaccine, too. Again, it's the risk vs. benefit factor.

[ 03-27-2007, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Garden_girl ]

 

[sarnewfie]

it is the way you read it ardea for sure.

whatever.

and we were in high risk in peshtigo menominee mi
and, even here there are some who have gotten lymes.

the deer are in our town, they carry the ticks, they are in all our yards all of the time esp at night.
the vaccination is not effective enough for me to spend $$ on
and, to many of my customers dogs have had adverse reactions to it.

[ 03-27-2007, 11:07 PM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]

 

[ardeagold]

and with diet etc. i have an advantage

What diet would you suggest that will eliminate Lyme? (I think that's the kind of information the original post was requesting, and I'd like to know too.)

the vaccination is not effective enough for me to spend $$ on
and, to many of my customers dogs have had adverse reactions to it.

I agree that the vaccination hasn't been too effective in the past, but there is a new one out.

However, that in itself is worrysome. I don't like making my dogs be the guinea pigs for something "new".

We haven't agreed to the new vaccine yet, even tho our Vet was suggesting that we get it.

I want to do some checking first.

[ 03-27-2007, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[sarnewfie]

Donna give it up.
i give mine some garlic added, i am not gonna get into a pissing contest with you.
i am not saying what you are insinuating and i dont appreciate it at all.

 

[ardeagold]

LOL SAR, this is too funny!!

 

[Garden_girl]

I just wanted to add one more thing to the tick discussion that I think is important and I've never seen it addressed here on NN before. I mentioned before that my dogs get ticks from my backyard. We have no deer anywhere near us. But we do have a stand of evergreens in two of my neighbors yards.

The ticks in my yard come from migratory birds-not deer. Yes, they can carry the deer tick right to my backyard and other ticks as well. My dogs love to sit under the shade of a giant spruce tree, birds also love the dense cover of evergreens. I'm convinced that this is where my dogs are getting their ticks, from the juncos (the juncos winter in eastern US) and the thrashers that return to my yard every year. By the way, this isn't even the first of April and my baby Tucker has already had his first tick.