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Trip to Minnesota: To Use Tick Collar or Not To Use? Another summer - another trip to MN for us and the boys. And, MN has such a high incidence of Lymes. I won't vaccinate but SHOULD I use a tick collar? I know they can be dangerous - esp. if the dog gets them in/near their mouths. I did NOT use one last year (after posing almost this same question) and we were fine - but I know it's risky. What does everyone think? |
Why a collar instead of a between-the-shoulders product? Wouldn't it be safer? |
I think I asked the same question last year too - and everyone said: NEITHER! Do you think the btwn-the-shoulders is safer than the collar? And, do you think I should use something vs. nothing for the trip? |
Those collars make me very nervous. I would not use one unless a better kind has come out. Frontline is good for fleas but for ticks you might have to go with something like Advantix (not Advantage) or the new Frontline prodct (Vetra something or other). The only thing is these contain permethrin and I am not comfortable with it at all. From what I've read, I personally think there are safer pesticides (but maybe not for ticks). Permethrin can make the dog feel like there is something crawling on its skin and it is extremely toxic to cats. I guess if it were me and I was going to be in the woods in Minnesota I might consider using something but if I was going to be in the city I wouldn't. I'm not saying it's smart to skip it though. It really depends on teh area and what your dog can take. Sorry, no help...:p |
I'm using frontline plus + a citronella spray, and also avon skin so soft to repell the ticks/sand fleas. we are taking darwin up north in Michigan over 4th of July - I'm having the same worries...nothing seems safe!!! |
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Ellie doesn't get flea/tick preventative at all anymore and I haven't had a problem. She usually stays inside though. Of course if you are staying in a woody area it might be different. |
I asked my vet about the collars last year when I, too, traveled to MN (I think we discussed this at length then, didn't we? :p)...anyway, my vet said those collars are absolutely worthless. They don't do ANYTHING. If I were you, I would Frontline them for a month or do nothing at all! I hope you have a great time in Minnesota!! :) |
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Crystal - we will be up at a lake, in the woods, for 10 days or so. I think it's too late to do Frontline if I was supposed to do it for month or so... I'm clueless on the tick stuff, bc we just don't use it here. :confused: I really am conflicted and don't what the heck to do. |
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I think it has failed for ticks quite a bit. I don't think you have to start a between the shoulders product too far in advance. If you want to go with something with permethrin (cringe), I guess I'd try Advantix (cringe again). The only thing is, you may want to use it now while you're at home in case there is a reaction. That wouldn't be fun in the woods a thousand miles from home... |
Personally, I would use neither and opt instead for Minksheen shampoo right before you go and perhaps again in the middle of the trip for the natural insect repellent benefits. There is also a natural spray on insect repellent made for dogs - I think Happy Tails has one (I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly). I know that scrapindee and Kathy785 donated a raffle prize that had the natural insect repellent (from essential oils)- perhaps PM one of them....... |
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Maybe this: Naturally Safe Flea, Tick & Mosquito Control – SENTRY® Natural Defense™ SENTRY® Natural Defense™ Natural Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs & Puppies under 15 lbs SENTRY® Natural Defense™ Natural Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs & Puppies kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes for up to four weeks, yet it’s safe to use on your dog or puppy and around your family when applied as directed. Each carton contains three monthly applications that feature natural active ingredients such as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemon grass oil and thyme oil. |
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http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ck-powder.html You might search Sentry on YT. Above is one thread. Not what I'd want to be dealing with on vacation... It seems any of it can cause reactions. You could try something natural but I don't think you have as good of a guaranee that it will work (otherwise more people would use it). If it were me, I would probably use a natural safe product to keep them under control and brush the dogs thoroughly every few hours. This would be taking a big risk though. If I felt I had to use a chemical, I MIGHT consider Advantix. |
Ann, Have you heard of Critter Oil? Its really, really effective. The tick situation is crazy right now in Miami and I have only had one tick embedded in Louis, I did find others crawling (ewww) but, combed them right out. You spritz the pooches with a dilution according to the instructions on the Critter Oil every time you take them out, then you need to get a flea comb, comb them EVERY time you take them out. Bathe them if you find ANY creepy crawlies and be prepared to bathe 3-4 times a week. This is what I do and I am tick/flea free in Miami with no chemical pesticides whatsoever. You can buy it here: Critter Oil Flea Repellent I am devout to this stuff! You can apply it to Wylie's collar too. Your dogs are on a healthy raw diet with great immune systems - parasites like fleas and ticks look for hosts with compromised immunity, so you are already ahead of the game. I wouldn't be against adding an immunity booster to their daily regimen as well, just to strengthen them that much more. I use Vetri-Science DMG. |
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Look what I found: DoggieNews: Sentry Natural Defense I also can't find the ingredients. I can only find where the company says it contain ingredients "such as" peppermint oil, cinnamon oil... They don't give a list?:confused::rolleyes: Maybe I'm missing it. |
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I feel like I'm up a creek: I don't want to use Advantix, don't want to use Sentry, don't want to use the collar - and don't want to use NOTHING. ???? |
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Virbac does make a tick collar that I hadn't heard about before. They are a pretty good company. Of course I'm sure there are still problems with these but maybe look for reviews on them? You probably wouldn't get it in time though. Here are more reviews on Sentry: Sentry Product Reviews and Ratings - Both - Sentry Natural Defense Flea & Tick Spray from Only Natural Pet Store  Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Sentry Natural... |
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And I have come full circle. Last year for my trip to MN, I bought the Preventic collar by Virbac - but didn't use them because I thought Marcel was just too small, plus he was still having digestive issues at the time. I STILL have the collars. You can read about the chemical: The Use of Amitraz (Mitaban, Preventic Collars) in Dogs What do you think? Still not great... |
Ann, Call now and order it from The Dog Bar. http://dogbar.com/proddetail.php?prod=COIL1&cat=9 I used to work there and they are super nice and will ship overnight and not charge an arm and a leg. Additionally, because you use it as needed, you could have it shipped to your location in Minnesota! |
Use my name - say Hilary who used to work here recommended it. |
Amitraz (Mitaban®, Preventic®) Reading this site, it would be a big no for me. Sedation? Poisoning? Affect on blood sugar?:rolleyes: There are no good options... |
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This is just a SAGA. |
Ugh - if she didn't offer to ship she must be one of the new annoying employees that don't know what the heck they are doing. If you ask for Rex, Christina or Steven you'll have it shipped wherever you need - if you can't find it locally. Its a really great product - totally worth it. |
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