flea prevention

[Shannaaa2013]

I really need some advice on using a good flea medicine, I was using frontline on Gracie for the past year, but I noticed the last time I gave it to her she was spinning in circles and acting oddly. She seemed totally out of it for the rest of the day. I thought she was having a seizure when I applied it on her. I would like to get a new flea medicine for her because i really didn't like the way frontline made her feel. Anybody else have this same reaction and is any other recommedations. Thanks Gracie

[JeanieK]

Has she ever had fleas? I do not treat for fleas unles they actually get fleas. They are discovering more and more of these types of reactions and also skin rashes from repeated use of those topical preventers. Those treatments are good for dogs up to 20 pounds, that is 4 to 5 times more than what a yorkie requires.

I have never had to use a treatment more than once in a year, and some years have not had to use it at all.

I also do not routinely worm puppies and have never had a puppy with worms. And I get them vaccinated every 3 years, not every year.

I think we are poisoning our dogs with all of the pesticides and vaccinations that we inject into them.

I go by the theory "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

[Britster]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Has she ever had fleas? I do not treat for fleas unles they actually get fleas. They are discovering more and more of these types of reactions and also skin rashes from repeated use of those topical preventers. Those treatments are good for dogs up to 20 pounds, that is 4 to 5 times more than what a yorkie requires.

I have never had to use a treatment more than once in a year, and some years have not had to use it at all.

I also do not routinely worm puppies and have never had a puppy with worms. And I get them vaccinated every 3 years, not every year.

I think we are poisoning our dogs with all of the pesticides and vaccinations that we inject into them.

I go by the theory "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

I agree, however I keep Jackson on K9 Advantix and plan to until September at least and he's never had any reactions and Frontline never worked for us, anyways, it seemed. Ticks are bad around here so he's on it mainly for ticks (and Advantix repels mosquitoes! Frontline does not!) Jackson also gets monthly heartworm pills (Iverheart... which is like a grocery store brand of Heartguard, I think).

Have you tried maybe only putting half the Frontline tube on her and not the whole thing? How much does she weigh? Frontline goes up to 22 pounds I think. K9 Advantix has smaller sizes which is nice. I think they're up to 10 pounds and then 11-20lbs, etc.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by Shannaaa2013

I really need some advice on using a good flea medicine, I was using frontline on Gracie for the past year, but I noticed the last time I gave it to her she was spinning in circles and acting oddly. She seemed totally out of it for the rest of the day. I thought she was having a seizure when I applied it on her. I would like to get a new flea medicine for her because i really didn't like the way frontline made her feel. Anybody else have this same reaction and is any other recommedations. Thanks Gracie

I have posted, several times, a natural way to rid of fleas, ticks and other biting insects that works!! peppermint oil and water.

I just copied this from one of my posts.. there is also a recipe for flea and tick treatment on here.

here is my post-

I have posted several times a recipe from a holistic vet for flea, tick and insect repellent. I'm sure it would work on a cat as well...I will post it again...


15 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water

put in a spray bottle and shake...spray on a rag or towel then wipe down the animal, making sure you get around the neck, belly and under the legs try to get it as close to the skin as possible..My Mom uses this on her little Maltipoo who has extremely thick hair...she can not get it to her skin so she just wipes down her coat...she hasn't had 1 flea or tick on her! And you can use it everyday if you have to...do not spray directly on the animal.
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[Guccimom]

Gucci does this too. Matter of fact I applied one yesterday (Frontline) as I was away for the weekend and left him by my mom who has this mutt that lives outside. Needless to say Gucci came back home full of ticks! Ugh...after I gave my mom and earful I remove those nasty things off of him and bought some Frontline.
He goes crazy, starts to rub against stuff and run around in circle. I'm still not sure if it feels anyway b/c he does the same thing when I use to apply a drop of his puppy cologne.
I HAVE to treat Gucci b/c there are alot of stray dogs on this island and just walking down stairs to jump in the car can mean fleas/ticks.
Also, I don't see them but every once in a while I'd find these spots on his belly which I believe someone in here mentioned it's flea droppings

[chachi]

Originally Posted by JeanieK

Has she ever had fleas? I do not treat for fleas unles they actually get fleas. They are discovering more and more of these types of reactions and also skin rashes from repeated use of those topical preventers. Those treatments are good for dogs up to 20 pounds, that is 4 to 5 times more than what a yorkie requires.

I have never had to use a treatment more than once in a year, and some years have not had to use it at all.

I also do not routinely worm puppies and have never had a puppy with worms. And I get them vaccinated every 3 years, not every year.

I think we are poisoning our dogs with all of the pesticides and vaccinations that we inject into them.

I go by the theory "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

Thats what I do. I only treat mine when they have fleas. So far Ive only had to do it once this year

[Shannaaa2013]

thanks for all your advice, she doesnt have any fleas that i see, she does seem to scratch alot. I have her on good dog food(natural balance) and she gets bathed in paul mitchell oatmeal, so i thought it could be fleas, im really interested in the peppermint oil, im not sure where to purchase that though. thanks again. Gracie

[ltret0294]

One of the YTers who lives in CA suggested this web site for natural flea repellents/preventatives. You will have to sift through the site to get what you are looking for.

Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia ~ Site Menu ~ Thousands of canine articles and links

We live in East Central FL. I have to give some flea and heartworm preventative year round. I had to treat both guys for flat worms twice in the past year because of flea bites.

[JennyLeroux]

Originally Posted by BLowry

15 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water

put in a spray bottle and shake...spray on a rag or towel then wipe down the animal, making sure you get around the neck, belly and under the legs try to get it as close to the skin as possible..My Mom uses this on her little Maltipoo who has extremely thick hair...she can not get it to her skin so she just wipes down her coat...she hasn't had 1 flea or tick on her! And you can use it everyday if you have to...do not spray directly on the animal.
__

This is wonderful.

I despise fleas and I have had a problem this year. I was ready to treat my grass. I had even had fleas on my litter of puppies even though I had Frontlined the 2 adult dogs in my house and it has had me disturbed because I hate them so bad.

Where can I find peppermint oil? Must I go to a healthfood store do you think?

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by JennyLeroux

This is wonderful.

I despise fleas and I have had a problem this year. I was ready to treat my grass. I had even had fleas on my litter of puppies even though I had Frontlined the 2 adult dogs in my house and it has had me disturbed because I hate them so bad.

Where can I find peppermint oil? Must I go to a healthfood store do you think?

Yes....you will have to go the a natural food store...I'm not sure about putting this on puppies though. My Mom spoke to a holistic vet and this is what he told her to use. You may want to google holistic vets and see if you can get a phone number...I would give them a call and ask before you put it on puppies

[JennyLeroux]

I wouldn't chance it on the puppies. If I can get them off the adults and out of the house then everything else should be ok.

I hate them!!

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by BLowry

I have posted, several times, a natural way to rid of fleas, ticks and other biting insects that works!! peppermint oil and water.

I just copied this from one of my posts.. there is also a recipe for flea and tick treatment on here.

here is my post-

I have posted several times a recipe from a holistic vet for flea, tick and insect repellent. I'm sure it would work on a cat as well...I will post it again...


15 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water

put in a spray bottle and shake...spray on a rag or towel then wipe down the animal, making sure you get around the neck, belly and under the legs try to get it as close to the skin as possible..My Mom uses this on her little Maltipoo who has extremely thick hair...she can not get it to her skin so she just wipes down her coat...she hasn't had 1 flea or tick on her! And you can use it everyday if you have to...do not spray directly on the animal.
__

Thanks for this!! I was looking for a holistic way to treat fleas and ticks, I do not want to use any topical meds that have chemicals in them. I will apply this to Maxi before we go outside and when we are inside I wont do it. Then if he get anything (god forbid) I will treat it then.

[ally173]

dont use the flea medication; they are pesticide and are very harmfull for your baby; use a more natural or herbal stuff; i use the halo herbal shampoo and herbal dip and that repells the fleas. also you can research other stuff
Flea & Tick Dog Wellness Oil, Nature's Inventory, 2 fl. oz.
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth ( DE ) Powder - 8 oz.

[fadeddenim]

Originally Posted by BLowry

I have posted, several times, a natural way to rid of fleas, ticks and other biting insects that works!! peppermint oil and water.

I just copied this from one of my posts.. there is also a recipe for flea and tick treatment on here.

here is my post-

I have posted several times a recipe from a holistic vet for flea, tick and insect repellent. I'm sure it would work on a cat as well...I will post it again...


15 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water

put in a spray bottle and shake...spray on a rag or towel then wipe down the animal, making sure you get around the neck, belly and under the legs try to get it as close to the skin as possible..My Mom uses this on her little Maltipoo who has extremely thick hair...she can not get it to her skin so she just wipes down her coat...she hasn't had 1 flea or tick on her! And you can use it everyday if you have to...do not spray directly on the animal.
__

so peppermint oil is safe for dogs? just wondering because my dogs tend to lick themselves. i'm thinking of trying this out tonight.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by fadeddenim

so peppermint oil is safe for dogs? just wondering because my dogs tend to lick themselves. i'm thinking of trying this out tonight.

As I said in my post...my Mom got this from a holistic vet. My Mom has used this several times on her pup...(Callie is just a year old). You can apply it everyday if you want, it's only peppermint oil. Don't spray it directly on them...you need to spray a rag/towel and wipe it over them...concentrating on their underside, under neck, legs and bottom. I wouldn't think it would hurt them if they licked it...however, if you are concerned about this I would ask your vet. I told my vet about it and she didn't say anything about it being harmful if they licked it....matter of fact...they wrote down the recipe to give out to their patients...said it sounded much better to use instead of the chemical flea repellents.