Large numbers of dogs each year are unnecessarily treated with extensive antibiotic therapy because their veterinarians panic aſter seeing a positive exposure and fail to check for infection. To catch tick-borne infections before they take hold, ask the veterinarian to replace the
standard annual heartworm test with the SNAP 4Dx Plus (from Idexx Labs) or the Accuplex4 tests (Antech Diagnostics), which screen for heartworm, Lyme disease and four other vector- borne diseases. Completing one of these simple blood tests every six to 12 months is the best way to protect a dog. In tick-infested areas, if a dog tests positive on either of those two tests, it should also be screened for babesia exposure with a polymerase chain reaction test.
Before Reaching for a Chemical Pet parents should not automatically apply potentially toxic chemical agents to their dogs or around their home to repel or kill pests. Te use of spot-on products may cause skin irritation, paralysis, seizures and even death, if used improperly, and there are effective, natural alternatives that are far safer. If these chemicals are used, follow these precautions:
n Be very careful to follow dosing directions on the label. If a pet is at the low end of a dosage range, use the next lowest dosage. Monitor the pet carefully aſterwards for adverse reactions. Do not under any circumstances apply dog product to a cat.
n Every other month, rotate chemicals with natural preventives, including diatomaceous earth, pet-friendly, essential oil products and natural deterrent collars. In many parts of the country, people can successfully control ticks with one chemical dose in the spring and one in late summer.
n To detox a dog’s liver aſterwards, give them a supplement such as milk thistle, a detox agent that helps to regenerate liver cells, or chlorella, a super green food. Work with an integrative veterinarian to determine the dosage; one dose daily for seven days following any chemical flea-, tick- or heartworm-preventive application is recommended.
Homemade Pest Deterrent for Dogs
An all-natural pest deterrent will help a dog avoid a good percentage of the pests they encounter, though not all of them. To make it, mix eight ounces of pure water with four ounces of organic, unfiltered,
apple cider vinegar, and add 10 drops of neem oil. Neem oil is not an essential oil; it is an expelled or pressed oil. It is effective
because fleas and ticks are repelled by it, and it doesn’t bother pets sensitive to odors. Catnip oil can also be used since it has been proven to be as effective as diethyltoluamide (DEET), the mosquito and tick spray humans use that has a number of toxic side effects. To add extra punch to the mixture, add five drops of lemon, lemongrass, eucalyptus or geranium essential oil. Store the homemade pest deterrent in the fridge, and before a dog goes outside,
mist them with it, being careful to avoid the eyes. Te active ingredients, especially the essential oils, dissipate in about four hours, so the solution may have to be reapplied several times throughout the day.
Safe Options to Chemicals There are safe, non-toxic alternatives for flea and tick control for dogs, and they do not have side effects, unlike virtually all forms of chemical pesticides. These include:
n Cedar oil, specifically manufactured for pet health
n Natural, food-grade diatomaceous earth, applied topically
n A fresh-food diet that is nutritionally optimal and species-appropriate
It is important to bathe and brush a dog regularly and perform frequent full-body inspections using a flea and tick comb to check for parasite activity. If they spend a lot of time outdoors, be sure to check pets and people for ticks every night during tick season.
Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. Visit
DrKarenBecker.com.
Let Master Stylist Nicole Nemeth bring out your natural beauty!
for any haircut ($25 value)
50% OFF
during the month of April!
New Clients Only Also specializing in Hair Extensions, Hair Color,
European Highlight Technique, Keratin treatments and
Yuko Japanese Straightening
Stella Luca Salon 460 North Orlando Avenue, Winter Park Village
407-234-5527
(rated #1 Salon by OBJournal) April 2022
27
adogslifephoto/
AdobeStock.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32