[Becca]

Like I was saying in one of my post it did not show up I said some of us do not use oral or topical applications because of oral poison them from the inside out topical poison from the outside-in you do not need to be a scientist or have a science degree to know this fact is a fact is a fact when is the last time a flea actually caused a disease in a dog just go back to the old days where you actually had to vacuum comb your dog and just check for fleas and ticks daily it takes a couple of minutes use something natural and deal with a couple of stragglers that’s it.

[Becca]

I posted 3 to 4 Times they are not showing up.
Judy I have used DE, thank you.
Very basic ingredients. I tested it by getting a flea and giving it a little spray it works. Nothing 100 percent but it’s the best I’ve tryed. I’ve tryed everything homemade and store bought, I do mean everything

[Becca]

Some of us do not use oral or topical as topicals poison from the outside-in and orals poison from the inside out this is a fact you don’t have to be a scientist to know this fact. some of us use natural means think back in the day when there was no oral or topical you had to do things that take a couple minutes a day to either comb your pet or use natural methods to deterring the Pests, vacuuming, takes a few minutes a day that’s it. Fleas are more of a nuisance than anything. When is the last time a flea caused a disease in a dog?

[Cameron M]

Ok good to know Judy.
Look I agree 100% about risks involved with any insecticide and I try to go organic in my life when I can.

Trust me natural or organic flea control rarely works in FL. Now it might in certain highly controlled cases…such as a small apartment, dog or cat is walked on sidewalks mostly and settings as that nature. However, if you have a large yard as I do with lots of squirrels, racoons and birds visiting it is impossible to keep fleas at bay ( unless I spray my yard with poison …something I don’t want to do).

I personally think spot treatments can be worse than oral in some cases…the spot treatments are meant to spread to every part of the animals body and most animals groom themselves. This results in the dog or cat ingesting poison which was meant to be topical use only.

Again…my personal opinion is to much of anything can be harmful so I always try to give my dogs a break from flea meds whether the usual Sentinal ( which I normally use ) or the new Bravecto ( which I plan on using 1 time a year during the worst of flea/tick season).

I am not writing glowing reports about Bravecto …but yes…I am trying to bring a voice of reason and balance into this very biased discussion that has veered greatly from fact to one of hype and conjecture.

as I referenced earlier I saw a post that stated 44,000 dogs were killed by Advantix II…Do I believe it…NOOO..it wouldn’t be on the market…do I like Advantix II…no for reasons I stated above.

[Michael M]

I’m a big proponent of diatomaceous earth since it’s nontoxic. Also, if you live in a humid area (like I do) then a dehumidifier is a great purchase because fleas require a certain amount of humidity to live and actually hatch from eggs. A dehumidifier is just good in general if you live in a humid area, so it’s a double win!

This article goes into some other interesting options like pennyroyal plants as a sort of flea repellant. It lso suggests trimming outside areas that could foster fleas. https://happypetlabs.com/blogs/happy-pet-tips/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas-on-a-dog-fast

[Cameron M]

My statements are that I am trying it…never said I loved it and frankly I don’t know if I will use it again. So far so good though.

People come here to try to get facts and make a decision. I need good flea control period. I also love organic but that doesn’t work where I live.

My vet ( who I trust a great deal) suggested Bravecto. Like everyone else here I started to research because no…I don’t like “new” drugs…esp. long acting drugs. As I started to research this my hair almost fell out because of all the hype…seriously…I was taken back.

Then slowly I started sorting through all the junk and came to a conclusion. I gave my gal Bravecto and I will say this to people:

Keep an eye on your dog, give breaks from flea and heart worm meds when you can and most importantly get blood work done esp liver enzymes…if you notice chances immediately suspect that your flea or heartworm meds may be the cause and investigate.

I promise to report back…I am having my gal’s liver enzymes tested mid-way through the 90 period.

Susan and Judy…thank you for your input as well.

[Cameron M]

Susan and Judy, I was thanking the individual who took the time to express his/her opinion.

Judy, I am sorry for your loss, however, I am not discussing Comfortis I am discussing Bravecto. Likewise, I am not discussing your doctor ( hey readers…lets stop here a second…scroll up a bit and read the post where the person suggests listening to your vet now notice Judy digging at her husband’s Doctor…can’t win huh?).

I keep responding because seriously…we are in a lot of trouble today because people do not understand basic science…perhaps our schools are to blame. It is truly scary to me to hear such twisted yet seemingly “common” sense comments be accepted…such as it must be toxic if it kills fleas.

Rubish! So Judy to answer I will say I do not know what you mean because what is toxic to a flea is obviously vastly different than what is toxic to my dog or myself with both us being mammals.

Even between mammals there are vastly different toxicity variables. Do you enjoy grapes Judy? How about chocolate? Both really tasty and good food items for humans that will kill dogs…gee…it seems simple common sense doesn’t really work in the world of science. So please keep your you simple homespun observations to yourself because all you do is create danger.

If you actually have studies which support harm being caused by Bravecto then please do share…but you don’t. Scopes even investigated this and found all the hype to be an urban myth based on conjecture vs facts.

Flea and tick control are extremely important – neither Judy or Susan have bothered to offer a helpful suggestion as to a proven alternative to medication ( I say proven vs swing a chicken over your head on a full moon).

So please Judy and Susan…can you share a good method to protect my gal here in FL from flea bites ( which cause disease) or ticks ( which cause disease)?

[judy t]

Again…how toxic must this stuff be?! A dog might be young and healthy enough to take it with no adverse reactions for awhile, but it hasn’t been out long enough to know what kind of long term damage it may cause and I certainly wouldn’t give it to an old or ailing dog. I don’t need a study to tell me that. Comfortis killed my dog and I’ll never get over that.

This reminds me of our doctor telling my husband that he could take Vioxx and Prilosec forever with no problem. Riiiiiight. Good thing he has a wife who finds alternatives to drugs.

Seriously, if it’s toxic enough to kill fleas what’s it doing to your pet?

[Cameron M]

Hey, Thank you! I did give my gal Bravecto last Wed. She is doing great. Its almost comical but at the same time scary that handful of extremely vocal people claim all these horrible things yet when you go to the sources they cite the information is just the opposite. One person here cited a Swedish study and when I pasted the conclsuion of the study that they found no…zero connection between reported side effects to the administartion of Bravecto..the gal who cited the study here replied …oh yeah well thats the Swedish.

Anyway…thanks for your support and logical advice…my gal is fine now and free of fleas

Cameron

[Cameron M]

Jane,

So what do you suggest for the deep South in regards to flea and tick? Something that is proven to work.

I read the article you sent…yeah? Ok a very few …extremely small number of dogs that were given large doses over time has mostly minor side effects. ! female dog out of hundreds was put to rest..so?

If you knew anything about science you would know the statistical chance of a random natural death is ever present.

I look forward to hearing your solution and suggestions on what will protect my gal

[Jane L]

For anybody interested not Cameron who I am not responding to. Here are two articles written by vets and one by a biologist.

As I say I know many vets that warn against and will not sell in many Countries. I have read reports and viewed many necropsies. Yes no conclusive proof as that seems impossible but the EMA review cases and hundreds are listed as probable cause.

So just go on the risk / reward and decide if you think it’s a risk worth taking.

http://vitalanimal.com/bravecto/

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bravecto-nexgard-simparica-oral-flea-tick-preventives-safe/

http://www.isbravectosafe.com/bravecto-files/501-IS-BRAVECTO-SAFE-ABOUT-BRAVECTO-AND-FLURALANER-THE-WAY-THE-MEDICATION-WORKS.pdf

And here

“All 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital
3 February ·
And this, dear clients, is why we do NOT carry trifexis, comfortis, and bravecto, or simparica or vectra or any other topicals especially hard on cats.
We carry only heartgard or sentinel and nexgard for heartworm, fleas and ticks in dogs
And we recommend Revolution in cats.
Capstar is amazing at helping with severe infestations and is extremely safe.
That’s it.
There’s a large class action lawsuit with trifexis and comfortis also.
We support the products made and extensively safety tested , and safe since 8 weeks old
Bravecto and others are NOT approved until 6 months of age.
When we read the safety literature, we realized we were uncomfortable with the safety data.
Please tell your friends and help people keep their pets safe.
Always remember to buy these products from your veterinarian, not because of the money, but because merial backs its products 100% for a refund or treatment, if there should be any bad side effects.
If you buy them from some diverted pharmacy or 1800petneds, you have zero recourse for treatment costs etc.
That is so important.
Most vets will pricematch anyway.
We do, as we prefer you get a fresh and real , well stored product.”

https://www.facebook.com/All4Pawsvet/

[anonymous]

I like Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea as a base.
https://www.chewy.com/nutrisca-grain-free-salmon-chickpea/dp/35033
Or:
Newman’s Organics https://www.chewy.com/newmans-own-organics-advanced/dp/33521

Add a splash of water and a bite of something, scrambled egg (in water), chopped up cooked lean chicken, beef, tuna….something.
Check out chewys auto ship plan. You could order a large bag every 2 or 3 months. Divide it up and store in air tight containers or bags in the fridg or freezer if you have room.
I wouldn’t go too cheap, you may regret it.
Also, you need to set aside money for an an annual checkup and lab work with a veterinarian.
Heartworm checks, flea and tick preventives. About $1000 a year (maybe less) and that’s not counting food.
Ps: Don’t waste your money on supplements, unless a vet that has examined the dog advises you to do so. Most of them are scams. I do add one fish oil capsule to their food once a day, not sure if it actually does anything 🙂

[anonymous]

You are not a dr. You are not a scientist. Sorry, but it is true, if you are, I apologize, lol.
Even then, health care professionals are advised not to treat their own (pets, family, friends) as they can not be objective.
The best person to advise you regarding heartworm/flea/tick preventives is a veterinarian that you have a good relationship with and that has examined your dog, knows the area you live in and the level of risk involved.
Blanket statements do not work. You can look up medical articles all day long……the information is not specific to your dog.
Find a vet that you trust and listen to him. Good luck

Ps: Once the lab values are off, it is often too late, the damage is done.

[Cameron M]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for the excellent information! Yes, I am concerned about all these aspects..my plan is to use sparingly. Just one dose from now through Sept. then switch back to Sentinal. My dog splits her time between FL and VT…Fleas are a non issue in VT but ticks are a huge issue.

We are in FL at the moment and fleas are horrible this year because we didn’t have a heavy frost this winter ( normally my part of FL..St Augustine..gets 1 or two hard freezes a winter).

I plan on keeping a close eye on Coco.

As to your observations about Bravecto remaining in the body for too long…I did read a medical study which stated that trace amounts were found in the blood at 111 days but that the effective dosage ended roughly at the 90 day mark…this is an overlap of 21 days and like you I am concerned about build up if given on a regular basis.

With that said …the flip side is that if you think about it – even using a monthly medicine has the effect of keeping the dog under load too. Every month you administer a monthly dose the dog always has the drug in its system…right?

I don’t really see a difference…giving 3 pills of Sentinal over 3 months is the exact same as giving one pill of Bravecto over 3 months.

Therefore my main concern is the overlap and build up relating to proper dosage schedules as discussed above vs. concern over having the drug in the dog’s body.

I guess the real question is …” is it safe or not” If the drug is really safe ok…if the drug causes cancer or other illness then I wouldn’t use it period.

I also agree with you that with any new drug one has to worry about long term side effects which don’t show up in the studies…ones that only start cropping up after 5 or 10 years.

We just don’t know yet with Brvecto…BUT in theory I do like the fact that it doesn’t load the liover or kidneys…that part is very good. In addition the studies to date indicate far fewer adverse reactions than other standard and older medicines…that part is good too.

Then we have the fact that boy…it is working great on Coco so far regarding fleas…has the potential to kill ticks within 2-4 hours after being bitten ( I think lyme disease requires the tick be attached for 24 or more hours)..so that is also a plus.

My pan…keep a wary eye…use a sparingly as possible…AND most importantly take Coco off the med for long breaks when neither fleas or ticks are an issue…maybe even just giving her one dose a year.

In a perfect world without fleas or ticks I wouldn’t giver her any medicine. I HATE ..ABSOLUTELY HATE that I have to medicate my gal…but since I do I am going to keep researching which medicine is the safest then give as little as possible.

Thaks again!

Cameron
P.S. I wish our pets had the ability to help make a choice…by saying hey you dope…don’t give me that junk…it makes me feel woozy…or bad. That is the single hardest part about having pets…we have to observe and use our knowledge to guess what is best and how our babies feel. To everyone reading…please – get to know your pets!!!

[Becca]

it must get broken down by the liver and kidneys so it circulates to the skin with enough poison to kill fleas and ticks

[Susan]

Hi Peter, I live Australia & Garlic is in a lot of our Australian made dogs foods… Garlic is very healthy for dogs, it repeals worms, fleas & diseases….. When you read the ingredient list to the treats the garlic should be near the end of the ingredient list, the further down the ingredient list an ingredient is then there isn’t much of it….
When your bored Google “The Oldest Dog in the World” & watch the video made by Rodney Habib, Rodney Habib is good to follow on face book if your on Face book…

[Susan]

Hi Cameron M, my vet doesn’t recommend Bravecto especially when you have elderly dog or a dog with health problems….. Bravecto doesn’t just leave the dogs system after 3 months, in Australia some vets are seeing too many side effects & recommending to give dose every 4 months, or just the once for the Summer months, ticks are still being found dead after 5 months after taking just 1 Bravecto chew dose…
*Bravecto stays in the body way tooo long, I wonder, dogs that are given Bravecto in 5 yrs what health problems will these poor dogs have or what health problems they will be dying from??
Found this when I googled Bravecto so I copied & paste….

Susana Wahs shared a link to the group: “Does Bravecto Kill Dogs”?
Long term side effects. Still finding dead ticks months after last dose ? Some disturbing facts I have found as to why.
I was researching as to why my dog has had 10 months of lack of appetite following his last dose of Bravecto, my vet came up with all the usual excuses, it is summer, it is warm, dogs eat less in summer, i told them it is Bravecto, my dog was 5 he has always eaten in summer, the house has air conditioning, he lives inside. This lack of appetite carried on through the winter, a full 10 months of putting his meal out for him at 9 am and him not touching it until 9 pm if he bothered at all some days, he always ate two meals a day 12 hours apart before he had his serious adverse reaction to Bravecto. Many days i have had to feed him by hand to encourage him to eat something.
I was also looking into why at 6 months after his last dose i found Dead attached ticks on his stomach, even though he was not taking any tick and flea treatment, then this April, i found 2 more dead attached ticks on him, 12 months after his last dose, I check him daily for ticks and fleas. Many other people have reported still finding dead attached ticks on their dogs upto a year after the last dose, i wanted to know how it could be and how long can this carry on for ?
So i started researching to see what the levels of Fluralaner are in the dogs plasma. I found some of the trials which mention the dogs had blood drawn to measure the levels, Fluralaner was quantifiable in plasma for up to 112 days after single oral dose ( they have not published any testing for levels of fluralaner after day 112 for us that are in Countries where we should give Bravecto every 3 months/ 90 days) so from this we know Bravecto is still efficient enough and quantifiable in the plasma to be still killing upto 112 days.
So then i start to look into the Bravecto Australia, which must be the same ingredients as they refer to the testing trials the same, the only additional testing carried out for its use in Australia was how effective it is against Paralysis ticks, which was an additional test to all the others we see. Australia is sold Bravecto that is to be taken every 4 months/ 120 days as it is still efficent to kill paralysis ticks for 4 months. Flualaner was quantifiable in plasma for up to 143 days after a single oral dose ( they have not published any testing for levels after the 143 days) Results: Fluralaner treatment efficacy against I. holocyclus was 100% at 72 h post treatment. Following re-infestations the efficacy remained at 100% at the 72 h assessments for 115 days and reached 95.7% at 143 days.
So still 100 per cent efficacy at 115 days ……… And still 95.7% at 143 days. ( Almost 5 months )
So what would the levels be at say 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, a year, 2 years ?
It does not just leave your dogs system at the 3 month marker, this is probably how we are seeing long term side effects. What have I done to my dog. He is still not fully recovered 15 months after his dose of Bravecto.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24606874
http://us.bravovets.com/published-studies-resources.aspx
http://www.bravecto.com.au/…/bravecto_technical_detailer.pdf

Pharmacokinetics of fluralaner in dogs following a single oral or intravenous administration. -…
Parasit Vectors. 2014 Mar 7;7:85. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-85. Randomized Controlled Trial
NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV|BY KILP S , ET AL.

Pharmacokinetics

[Cameron M]

Oops …forgot to say…I do not mean to sound arrogant…I love my dog and sadly just lost my other gal though IMT ( which I mentioned earlier). I am crushed …I also know I need flea prevention because I live in FL…I also need tick prevention because I have a house in VT and my 150 acres has many …many ticks.

I totally stand with organic…my garden…my yards and my house and my food when I can control. I hate processed chemicals…even vitamins because I know they are not in the natural form of being eaten. Meaning yes a carrot has lots of vitamin A BUT it also has lots of other chemicals which whe haven’t yet looked at and my view is those other chemicals all play a role in the benefits of vitamin A vs just popping a tablet which lacks a carrot’s other beneficial chemicals.

This drug seems the least harmful…please note my wording…least harmful vs 100% healthy …wohoo ..lets go healthy. To me the benefits are greater than the potential harm and much more so than other meds on the market.

[Cameron M]

Yes…I agree…of course everything given orally goes through the Liver and Kidneys…so what? Your statement is as basic as saying all oxygen carried in red blood cells is distributed through out the body.

My point is that Bravecto is NOT METABOLIZED by the liver or kidneys…it passes through unchanged. This means it is not passed by urine and instead its excreted through the stool with the exact same chemical composition exiting that it has entering the body.

Your statement leads me to believe you have no knowledge of disease, the endocrine system, metabolisim or how the body reacts to and processes chemical wastes.

By no means am I saying Bravecto is safe…I truly don’t know yet . BUT I am saying that on paper it makes total sense…the fact that my baby ( Coco) isn’t fighting or trying to break down the chemical seems much safer than any other flea med which results in the dog’s liver or kidneys trying to break down and excrete in the urine. In my mind other flea meds cause a …shal we say “load” on the body when the body tries to rid itself of the chemical.

Bravecto slowly is released via capilaries in the instestines into the stool…then is passed without the body giving a second glance.

I do not disagree that any foreign substance in the body is a potential for concern…I am almost 100% organic…my garden…my house and my food when I can control it.

I also agree that that any flea med has risks BUT I do not like topicals because they are basically the same as roach spray and I worry about the dog ingesting ( and the resulting…here is that word again..metobolizing…the poison to rid it…the stress on the liver and kidneys).

I used Sentinal before and now that I understand the process I again think of the stress on the liver and kidney.

Since I live in FL I have to have good flea control…I also have a house in VT where there are many ticks. The bottomline is I weigh the risks vs benefit and in this cause …again on paper since my gal has only been on it for a day plus a few hours…It makes sense to me to use this drug. At least during the worst of flea and tick season.

If you have a proven and highly effective alternative for me I ask you please let me know…of course I would go organic if given the choice ( if it works)

[Robin M]

Yea I’m guessing she had lab in her. Not enough spots to be full Dal. Plus her body was lean and tall. Dals are usually more “chunky” lol.

We found her at what is called the “I-57 Flea Market”. Some guy had about 4 pups in the back seat of his car at the entrance of the flea market for sale for $50. I wish I could have gotten all of them but by the time me and my son got hubby talked into it she was the only one left. Her and my son slept in the back seat of our van all the way home (about 40 miles). They grew up together. She would protect him so fiercely.

[Tabitha K]

Hey anon. He’s allergic to fleas and chicken. Everything else has been ruled out.
Noticed he would get hives after giving raw chicken and every time he would eat his food (which is chicken based). He also has a sensitivity to corn and soy. Causes horrible gas. I’ve heard that’s very common with lab and lab mixes.
Also, with chicken being a very common dog allergy, we started off with taking the corn and soy out and then feeding him beef based foods. No reaction with beef. Back to a bowl of chicken based, hives.

[Tabitha K]

I use bravetco for fleas on my dogs. 3 month pill costs about $60

As for the house, you’ll need to get it bombed. If that’s out the price range, there are many carpet treatments and sprays you can use available at any pet or feed store.

Hope that helps

[Cameron M]

My vet gave me Bravecto for my 25 lb Cocker Spaniel…I just lost her best buddy another cocker gal due to IMT ( its a immune disorder …rapid onset and destroys the platelets…she basically bled to death after 4 transfusions and over $5000 spent).

I was very concerend about what set of my gal’s immune disorder and the vet said we never know…allergies, pollen, infection, virus BUT make sue your other gal has a safe flea med.

I heard many bad things about Bravecto and many good things…I researched this in vet journals and I am now pretty sure that all the stories one hears about how Bravecto wrecked the dogs liver or kidney or caused cancer ..are pure rubbish. The reason…Bravecto is not metablized in the liver or kidneys…instead it is excreted through the instestines and it has the exact same chemical composition going out as it does going in the mouth. Furthermore, science says it passed right through the liver and kidneys…this means your dogs body is not straining to metablize this drug..ad it does not get broken down into waste.

I’m very sorry to hear all the sad pet owners by I listen to science not conjecture…my guess is all the dogs in the sad stories had something wrong long before being given Bravecto and it is just pure chance the symptoms showed up when they did. Also…having lost my great gal just last week I know for 100% certain that us owners are always looking for a “cause” …what caused this disease or death BECAUSE we don’t want to feel guilty that maybe we missed something earlier…also some owners throught guilt want to blame themselves…oh no I shouldn’t have done this or that.

Its our human nature as doggie parents. I haven’t yet given the drug to my dog but I am planning to do so later today…and I promise to report back if there are any negative side effects

[anonymous]

Another thought, maybe you should do an intervention with your Grandma? If she has taken on too many pets to adequately care for and provide medical attention for, maybe she should consider contacting local animal control or a local feral cat rescue group for help placing the animals elsewhere?
Fleas are disgusting, everyone in the house will get sick if this situation doesn’t get under control.
I apologize if I am being blunt, I am only trying to help.

[pitlove]

Hi Haleycookie-

Geez, I wish I had better news for you. Unfortuntely the way fleas work, if your grandma can’t get them under control in the house you will still find them on your dog. Killing the adult fleas on your dog does not “stop” the infestation because with as many cats as she has in the house there are likely tons of eggs etc. That being said you absolutely still want him on a flea preventative like you said. I’ve used Bravecto for a while now and love it.

Hopefully you can find a way to have her at your apartment! Poor baby 🙁

[haleycookie]

Ok I recently had to move into a small apartment out of my dads place due to my dad becoming sick and loosing his house. So my dog went with my grandma. I usually use advantage to treat my dog for fleas if I ever find them on her. That has always done me well. If I see a flea on her or one of my cats I treat them all however my grandma has dogs of her own and has a feral colony in her house basically. They all used to be indoor outdoor but now are indoor. Over 20 of them. Fleas are quite the problem there and as you can imagine treating 20+ cats can be quite expensive something my grandma can’t afford to do most of the time. She occasionally get cheap stuff from Walmart to treat her dogs and cats but it doesn’t help much. I still use advantage on my dog but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything at all in this situation and it’s so sad for me to see her itch and chew all the time. I’m considering registering her as a emotional support dog to bring her to my apartment. But until then does anyone have suggestions on what kind of flea meds I could use? I was thinking about bravecto since it covers three months but idk tbh I’m not sure anything will keep them off completely. Ideally I’d love to have something that repelled the fleas or killed them instantly if they jumped on her. Any suggestions would be nice. I intend of calling around to vets and asking their opinions as well.

[pitlove]

Not Marie, but we don’t treat our yard. Our dogs occasionally graze on the grass so all we use is diatomaceous earth for fleas and ticks. As far as weeds go, we just mow the grass a lot as short as we can get it. I saw a new product advertised on TV that you drop on the weeds themselves and it kills them without touching your grass. Can’t remember the name though…

[InkedMarie]

I use more natural methods: Bug Off garlic sprinkled in their food. They wear natural flea/tick collars from HoliticFamilyandPets dot com. I use Wondercide on the lawn & spray it on them if we go to areas where ticks will be. I’ve had great luck with this. Others claim natural methods don’t work but since they work for us, that is all that is important to me. Good luck!

[anonymous]

Yes, some flea/tick products are toxic, lethal to cats

Please, do not give anything to your pup until you have the dog examined by a vet.
There is a lot of incorrect information on the internet

Wake up. Listen to a veterinarian that has examined your dog.

[Lora J]

Thank you all for the continued replies with ideas! I have contacted Washington State University about flea control and they said the only topical that has been tested for use on MDR1 dogs is Bravecto. I am going to stop the Parastar topical, and find another method, and I will be trying these natural ideas. Our local Aussie Rescue recommends Sentinel flavortabs for heartworm control in Aussies, so I will probably switch him to that when his Heartgard is gone. I understand from WSU that any heartworm pills on the market are tested and approved for MDR1 dogs, except those with spinosad, which would be Trifexis. Thank you again, and I will keep watching this thread for more information!

[Acroyali]

The only MDR1 dog we ever had was mutant/normal and he never got any form of conventional flea control. The MDR-1 gene seemed to exceed the norm, many “regular” medications made him act off so we opted to test several times a year for HW and (thankfully) he was always negative.
As far as garlic, etc. goes, we’ve had excellent results with this.
Last year we used nothing. No EO’s, no garlic, no lawn sprays or anything and didn’t have a flea problem. We’d find the occasional dead flea in the water bowl but the dogs never had fleas or flea dirt, the bathwater was always 100% flea-free, and the cats got flea combed as a precaution with no issues. Maybe we were just lucky.
We’ve had some nasty experiences with topicals in the past, when we would use them, but a few of our breeds over the years have seemed to have extra sensitivies to chemicals, which was enough to convince me that there has to be another way.

[anonymous]

Home Remedies That Will Not Get Rid of Fleas and Ticks — and May Hurt Your Pet
By Laura Cross | July 18, 2016
Do a quick Internet search on natural ways to prevent fleas and ticks and you’ll come up with thousands of links. You could spend all day researching these home remedies. The problem: As much as we love using natural solutions when they work, many simply aren’t effective at controlling parasites. In some cases these ‘remedies’ can cause more harm than good for your pet.
So before you add chopped up garlic to your animal’s food or bathe her in essential oils, check out our quick list of home remedies to avoid.
Parasite Prevention and Removal Remedies That Don’t Work
Bad Idea: Putting Garlic in Pet Food
Even though a lot of people think this a safe and effective way to prevent fleas, there’s no scientific evidence that garlic — whether it’s fresh from the bulb, powdered or in a supplement — can keep the parasites at bay. Even worse, garlic can be toxic to pets. Garlic contains substances that damage red blood cells in dogs in cats, potentially leading to life-threatening anemia if ingested in large quantities.
Bad Idea: Dipping Pet in Motor Oil, Bleach, Vinegar or Turpentine
Bathing your dog or cat in motor oil, bleach or turpentine is dangerous way to attempt to get rid of fleas or ticks. Depending on the substance, it could cause serious health problems, chemical burns, even death. Vinegar, while it may seem like the safer bet, also has its problems. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, ingesting undiluted vinegar can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, mouth irritation and pain.
Bad Idea: Burning a Tick off with Lit Match
Holding a lit match next to fur to remove a tiny parasite should set off alarm bells in your head. If anything, this tick-removal technique could set your poor pet on fire. You should also avoid freezing off a tick with an aerosol-based freezing gel, as you’re more likely to hurt your pet than help him.
Bad Idea: Using Undiluted Essential Oils Directly on Your Pet
Some essential oils, like citronella, may help repel parasites, but that doesn’t mean you should use them on your dog or cat. Essential oils can be toxic to pets at certain concentrations, and these substances can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or licked by your pet. Some natural flea and tick pet shampoos may contain essential oils, but because the oils are diluted with other ingredients, they are more likely to be safe if used according to label directions.
Bad Idea: Using Nail Polish and Petroleum Jelly to Kill Ticks
It’s an old wives’ tale that nail polish is an effective way to remove ticks. Many people think painting over a tick with varnish or smothering it in petroleum jelly will drown and kill the tick. But it could cause the tick to salivate or regurgitate into the bite wound, increasing the risk of infection. So keep nail polish on fingernails — not on your dog or cat.
The Best Ways to Prevent Parasites
Want to know what will work for you dog or cat? Talk with your veterinarian who can recommend safe parasite-control products that are effective for the parasites in your area. Then make sure you use them as directed.
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/home-remedies-that-will-not-get-rid-of-fleas-and-ticks-and-may-hurt-your-pet

[anonymous]

@ Lora J
Whatever method you decide to use for a heartworm/flea/tick/Lyme preventives, I just wanted to stress the importance of routine testing.
“Using a single test, your veterinarian can check for any combination of the following diseases, including all of them: heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis”.
“SNAP” testing refers to a group of quick, convenient, blood tests that can be performed at your veterinarian’s office. There are various SNAP tests for different purposes:
SNAP Heartworm RT Test—screens for heartworm infection
SNAP 3Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis
SNAP 4Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
above 2 paragraphs are excerpts from: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/heartworm-disease-lyme-disease-ehrlichiosis-anaplasmosis-snap-testing-in-dogs

I once had 3 dogs test negative for Lyme in April, when one showed symptoms in September I had them retested. All 3 were positive for Lyme.
It is important when this happens to start the antibiotic protocol ASAP
Good luck.

[anonymous]

@ Lora J
Whatever method you decide to use for a heartworm/flea/tick/Lyme preventives, I just wanted to stress the importance of testing.

“Using a single test, your veterinarian can check for any combination of the following diseases, including all of them: heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis”.
“SNAP” testing refers to a group of quick, convenient, blood tests that can be performed at your veterinarian’s office. There are various SNAP tests for different purposes:
SNAP Heartworm RT Test—screens for heartworm infection
SNAP 3Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis
SNAP 4Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
above 2 paragraphs are excerpts from: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/heartworm-disease-lyme-disease-ehrlichiosis-anaplasmosis-snap-testing-in-dogs

I once had 3 dogs test negative for Lyme in April, when one showed symptoms in September I had them retested. All 3 were positive for Lyme.
It is important when this happens to start the antibiotic protocol ASAP
Good luck.

[anonymous]

@ Lora J
Whatever method you decide to use for a heartworm/flea/tick/Lyme preventives, I just wanted to stress the importance of testing.
“Using a single test, your veterinarian can check for any combination of the following diseases, including all of them: heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis”.
“SNAP” testing refers to a group of quick, convenient, blood tests that can be performed at your veterinarian’s office. There are various SNAP tests for different purposes:
SNAP Heartworm RT Test—screens for heartworm infection
SNAP 3Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis
SNAP 4Dx Test—simultaneously screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
above 2 paragraphs are excerpts from: http://www.vetstreet.com/care/heartworm-disease-lyme-disease-ehrlichiosis-anaplasmosis-snap-testing-in-dogs

I once had 3 dogs test negative for Lyme in April, when one showed symptoms in September I had them retested. All 3 were positive for Lyme.
It is important when this happens to start the antibiotic protocol ASAP
Good luck.

[pitlove]

Hi Amanda-

Asking on here you are going to get a wide range of opinions that will only make your choice more difficult. Once you get the puppy and find a vet that you trust, I would recommend asking them for advice on flea and tick prevention. Especially if you live somewhere that is heavily populated with fleas, ticks, mosquitos etc. They will know the area best and the statistics on how often people are getting fleas and dogs are coming up heartworm positive or positive for lyme from ticks.

[anonymous]

Not just opinion, a scientific fact. Natural flea/tick remedies do not work.

Ps: Wondercide stinks! I’ve used it in the past and found it to be ineffective, same with the brewers yeast and garlic supplements.

Believe what you want.

[Lora J]

Thank you! I am definitely interested in trying natural flea/tick control!

[InkedMarie]

“Natural flea/tick remedies do not work”. In your opinion but not mine! I’ve used Bug Off Garlic for years and added in flea/tick collars from Holistic Family and Pets last year after a tick was found in the yard, on my grandaughter. We Wondercide the yard which kills grubs too.

There are many people who swear by natural methods.

[anonymous]

Interceptor and Sentinel have primarily the same ingredients. Lately the vets have been recommending Sentinel plus which has an added ingredient to target another worm/parasite that has been showing up lately.

Anyway, all my dogs have been doing well on Sentinel/Interceptor, one of my dogs was a corgi (herding breed), however she was never tested for MDR1

Natural flea/tick remedies do not work, I would ask your vet what would be best for your dog.
I have had luck with Preventic collars they are supposed to be good for 3 months (I think 1 month is more like it) I get them at chewy dot com, they are reasonable there.
There is a new 8 month collar (flea/tick) that has been getting positive feedback, ask your vet about it.
K9 Advantix II topical is okay, except it gave one of my dogs a localized rash.

[Lora J]

Hi! Thanks, sorry, I wasn’t clear… the one I want to switch meds for HAS been tested, he is the one that is MDR1 mutant/normal. He has just never had Sentinel before. From what I can find on the net, Sentinel SHOULD BE safe, but I am just trying to get more input. I think Interceptor is safe for him also. What natural flea treatments do you use? We live in SE Texas, in about the worst flea/parasite area in the county. Thank you for your reply!

[Amanda D]

I’m taking full advantage of the “Health” portion of of this board lol Anyways I’m getting a puppy in the summer and it will be my very first dog ever. What Flea and Tick prevention products do you guys recommend. I don’t have any experience with anything on the market.

[InkedMarie]

Why not have him tested? I never tested my shelties but only used Interceptor for heartworm and onky natural stuff for fleas/ticks.

[Susan]

Hi how is your poor dog doing?? what did vet do is he on Metronidazole??
All organ meats are very rich & can cause diarrhea when feed too much, my boy gets diarrhea from those liver treats, Beef liver treats chicken liver treats… when I first rescued him 4-5yrs ago, I took him to the Hunter rescue second hand shop they raise money & sell worm, flea products, collars, name tag’s, toys, jackets etc everything for dogs/cats they raise money for people that don’t have the money to desex their cat & dogs, I wanted a new ID tag & a few toys for Patch & showed all the ladies my new rescue boy, the elderly ladies kept giving Patch liver treats & these were real big thick chunky black liver/beef treats, they could have been beef liver, I don’t know, anyway that night we were up all night with bad diarrhea, pain, feeling sick, I took Patch to vet next morning cause I have never had a dog get this sick, he was put on Metronidazole an antibiotic for the bowel & stomach & Royal Canine, Hydrolyzed dry vet diet just to let his bowel rest & heal, that’s when Patches new vet told me organ meats are very rich & can cause diarrhea, so since then I have never given him any liver, beef, or chicken liver treats again…
Years later I went thru a Naturopath to put Patch on a raw diet cause of his IBD & Skin allergies & he wasn’t given any organ meat or bone in his diet cause he has IBD, he was put on a probiotic & digestive enzymes & a supplement powder to balance the raw diet but the raw diet didn’t agree with Patch cause of his IBD, it cleared up his itchy skin & red paws cause we were just feeding Kangaroo with blended broccoli, apple, celery, we were starting an elimination raw diet but Patch kept feeling very sick & regurgitating the raw back up….Maybe stick with the cooked diet, I know raw is so much easier to do there’s no cooking just start with 1 lean white protein & a few blended veggies (2-3) like broccoli, apple, celery etc & only add 1-2 spoons of the blende veggies with 1 cup raw..

[Lora J]

Hello all, I have 2 Aussies, one is MDR1 mutant/normal, and one is untested. One was a rescue dog and was on Sentinel aready, and doing fine with it, so I plan on keeping her on it. My other has been on Heart Gard plus and parastar, and doing fine with that. But I want to get away from the parastar topical because I feel like our family is getting the chemical residue on us, even days after application his shoulder fur is stiff from it. What do you all do for your MDR1 dogs, and what experiences have you had with meds? I would like to put him on Sentinel but I am worried about side effects. From what I have read on the Washington State Univ site, Sentienel should be safe for him (note that they recommend against Trifexis). I am just a nervous nelly and I want to get a lot of input before I change his meds from a pill+ topical to a combo product. Thank you!

[Jazzlover]

Acroyali, I have not been successful in finding a holistic, homeopath or NAET practicing vet in my large surrounding area. I don’t feel it would be all that helpful to consult w/ one by phone as so many recommend.

I don’t agree w/ giving flea/tick meds and choose to go w/ a natural spray remedy.

I am quite knowledgeable and absolutely an advocate for Jazz and is why I am seeking advise from others who have had success stories. But again I’m unwilling to compromise his health w/ something like Apoquel, steroid and cortisone injections.

Anon, One of the stories on the link you sent me said they gave their dog Zyrtec. I would if it worked. I was told human allergy rx has not been a proven remedy for dogs.

Amy, which shampoo works for your scooby. We bath Jazz every 2 wks. Also read this if you have not already – http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/wouldnt-give-dog-new-allergy-drug/

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Acroyali]

I’ve used NAET and homeopathy with excellent results. NAET is totally non-invasive, which is awesome. Please don’t ask me *how* it works, but it works. My dogs’ allergies were diet related, and all but one allergy cleared (and one became much less intense) with two sessions.

Homeopathy has amazed me time and time again, but the big secret is finding an experienced homeopath who knows the science, and finding one who doesn’t write off other assets in assisting your dogs health…some homeopaths will refuse to work with anyone who uses nutritional supplements, etc. which is something I would absolutely avoid. A good holistic vet examines the big picture and doesn’t stick rigidly to one answer only. Holistic = whole!

The most common mistake I see with homeopathy is people choosing incorrect remedies, by themselves, within 5 minutes of reading about the symptoms present and not taking into account the smaller, more subtle symptoms that would point to a different remedy. Then they claim it didn’t work, even though they took no time at all to study it themselves or seek out someone competent to help them through, who will also be knowledgeable about selecting the correct potency. It would be no different than if you or I had a headache and decided to take Zantac. When we take the wrong medication for the wrong symptoms, the problem we’re experiencing isn’t going to go away, and it would be unfair to complain and tell everyone that Zantac doesn’t work because we took it for the wrong problem. If you try a remedy and it does not work, you should consult your vet to decide on what remedy to try next.

I would also research vaccines and develop a close relationship with a trusted vet who will only vaccinate your dog if and when he needs it. I would ALSO research problems associated with any flea and/or tick prevention you may be using or have used in the past (what works good for one dog may be hurting the next), as well as things like what household cleaners you use, right down to the quality of water you put in your dogs water bowl every day. If you haven’t done so yet, I would consult with your vet about the possibility of a good blood count as well as discussing whether or not a thyroid test would be a good idea for your particular dog. Discuss immune support with your vet; not all immune support is necessarily stimulating but balancing instead.

I hope this helps you and you’re able to find someone who can help you and your dog. Allergies are a pain, but they CAN be helped.

[Marie P]

Frontline, Bravecto, Flea product dangers; Here is a good article on some LESS dangerous flea products from your VET and Safe Natural products to combat fleas/tics; I try to go natural when possible. Good list of Natural Flea fighters here http://bulldogvitamins.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-good-and-bad-of-dog-flea-treatment.html

[anonymous]

Just curious, how was your dog diagnosed with a chicken allergy? Or are you assuming…..

Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea may meet your criteria, see chewy dot com for reviews and prices.
Check the search engine “allergies” I have posted a lot of information, maybe you will find something helpful.

Allergies can be broken down into inhalant, contact, or food allergy origins. Flea allergies, grass allergies, and environmental toxin induced allergies are the most common causes of skin conditions in Cairns. Allergies can be chronic or seasonal. They can be minor or severe in occurrence. They tend to become worse with age. Treatment is much better than in bygone days. Environmental controls, antihistamine treatment, and desensitization injections have made huge strides in the last few years”.
“Glucocorticoids should be used only as a last resort due to serious side effects. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic or severe cases by a Board Licensed Veterinary Dermatologist is recommended”.
(excerpt from:) http://cairnterrier.org/index.php/Static/health
This was copied from a site regarding Cairn Terriers, however, the information applies to all dogs (imo)

[melissa p]

I have a very spoiled walker hound pitt mix with a bit of an attude .. who is all diva and is not aware she’s a four legged fuzzy at all.. she is high maintenance all the way and not so socially acceptable yet l9rd I’m trying .. her and I are traveling and I had to grab some food at an truck stop or it would be all bad I got Purina not her normal food strike one I know second we stopped at my father in laws .. since I was unsure of his condition and by the house condition I left her in the entrance of the house.. his dog and cat where in horrid conditions.. I mean I’m shocked then again so was he.. we left shortly since his pit decided to try and eat my baby.. a day or so later she started to itch a lot.. since she’s white I do apply sun block she burns and yes she’s spoiled she gets her fur done when I do my hair she has her face washed when I wash mine she’s high maintenance.. so she a little ocd about her fur it humorous..I checked her with a fine toothed comb no fleas but these bump are only on her hind legs and she’s chewing like crazy.. being hound it’s a breadful sound and now her breath is bad and she’s not happy with her teeth getting brushed more.. before I bring my AKA Hanna bell lector as they nicked named her at the vets I was hoping someone had something I could try at home equity to help my neurotic baby stop being so itchy..we changed her food but her and I are still traveling so it’s difficult to get to our local vet..help