Climate change and your dog
All across Europe we are seeing major changes to seasonal weather and this is in turn is bringing our all the bugs and other nasties for your dog much earlier and for much longer than usual. Even more worrying is the fact that just like humans and antibiotics, the fleas and ticks are getting resistant to even the chemical treatments on the market! Studies found that fleas develop insecticide resistance and poorly designed flea treatments become ineffective quickly. The best flea treatment for dogs should have a long-lasting formulation to prevent that resistance, as well as be safe for dogs, and easier on the wallet! So companies make the spot ons stronger and stronger- and so, more and more expensive- and these leads to major health issues in dogs. Another thing to consider is to eradicate any signs of flea infestation at home with tools such as electric flea traps, powders and other smell or sound based solutions. We say to all our adopters to use diatomaceous earth for worms, mites, ticks and fleas and normally this proves very effective.
You can use this on their beds too to repel any fleas and ticks and, IN TINY AMOUNTS, brushed into the fur if you find ticks and fleas on your dog, but DO NOT ADD WATER as it’ll be absorbed and make a sludgy mess!We recommend this product as the base treatment as our dogs are treated before travel with all the spot ons and chemical preventatives possible during their stay in foster/rescue and before travel and too much of these products are TOXIC to your dog- reactions include
mood changes
sudden dandruff after bathing
not wanting to be fussed as they have painful areas on their skin or not wanting to walk as they develop sores on their paws
'hot spots’ on the skin you can feel through their fur
biting and scratching to the point of making sores
the development of neurological disorders like fits and seizures
or auto immune problems.
So when your dog arrives DO NOT bath with a flea shampoo or put ANY spot ons on your dog- you will be POISONING them! Use the earth instead. However, some of our adopters are finding that ticks are still attaching (though not feeding as they die on contact, so easy to remove) and some fleas are more resistant to the earth. So we recommend, for at least SIX MONTHS after arrival the following products as an extra boost to keep those nasties away! This will give your dog’s system time to process six vaccinations including rabies and a minimum of four treatments for fleas, ticks, mites and worms. They have to have extra treatments before travel as they are NOT ALLOWED TO PASS through other countries’ borders without proof of administering these treatments, so their systems are maxed out and WILL NOT COPE with more chemical treatments for at least half a year. Your vet is likely to recommend steroids, this should be a final resort only. Side effects of steroids include
mood changes
an increase in biting
lethargy
nausea
and diarrhoea.
Also don’t forget! The cleaners you use on your floors, kitchen sides and in your bathrooms can also contain substances harmful to your dog. NEVER spray cleaners anywhere near your dog bowls, and always make sure the floor is totally dry before your dog walks on it else it could burn their paws. Smell and sound**: Fleas and ticks are smell and sound sensitive. So pills hidden easily in their raw food (we recommend raw feeding as it keeps the gut clear and improves immunity, as well as maintains a healthy coat, bones, skin and muscles) or wet food. Garlic can be a good one as a food supplement or spray
and drops of peppermint or lavender oil in the car/ on a harness /where they play (or planting mint and lavender in your garden or window box) can really help to keep the bugs at bay! Electric flea and tick ‘traps’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/electronic-flea-trap/s?k=electronic+flea+trap can also be useful, with no ill effect on your dog. Alternatively an ultrasonic tag for collars like this one https://www.tower-health.co.uk/electronic-flea-controller.html while on walks and on holidays on places with new woods, lakes, rivers and long grass that can be full of bities can deter the beasties… Herbal spot ons/sprays/shampoos**: There are plenty of products out there that do the job of Frontline or Advantage, without the alarming rise in cases of dogs who develop epilepsy or other neurological and auto immune disorders after being given it, true for dogs born in the UK as well as ones from abroad. A simple spritzer with 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar
repels fleas but can smell a bit strong for humans so this is best used when out for the day on long walks, camping, or in other open spaces. You can also use this with turmeric to make golden paste, a great way to keep your dog in good condition inside and out. You add it to wet or raw food. Below is the recipe we use for this at Lora's Luck- a fraction of the price of pre made golden paste and takes minutes to make! (It works on humans too!)
You can add a few drops of lavender https://www.naturesbest.co.uk/aromatherapy-range/lavender-oil/?gclsrc=aw.ds or peppermint https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freshskin-Beauty-100ml-Peppermint-Essential/dp/B00BBXTK8Iessential oils (check they’re ok for skin and not for burning to scent a room) to make it smell better for humans for equally unpleasant for fleas and ticks.An eco friendly dishwashing liquid gently dissolves the carapaces of fleas and ticks before they can do any damage https://naturaler.co.uk/best-eco-friendly-dishwasher-detergents-uk/ and can be used DILUTED 1 to 20 as a shampoo, oddly enough, and again, smells better than chemical flea and tick shampoos. Good wormers like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-WORMclear-Tablets-Small-Dogs/dp/B01JZBW2AK/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2K53YFUZLJFCA&dchild=1&keywords=natural+dog+wormer&qid=1586434545&sprefix=natuural+dog+wo%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-6 can be added to food with no side effects and are recommended by many vets over Drontal and other harsher treatment. Or you can use a wormwood based wormer that’s equally good. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pets-Purest-Wormwood-Alternative-Intestinal/dp/B07B4J9PKH/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2K53YFUZLJFCA&dchild=1&keywords=natural+dog+wormer&qid=1586434678&sprefix=natuural+dog+wo%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-5
But we use Glimmermann’s (see below) for bathing dogs and cleaning our home and rescue(s), and have had no issues with skin problems or any fleas, ticks or mites at Lora’s Luck. Approved gentle shampoo, cleaners and dog coat sprays**:Glimmermann’s pet shampoos, cleaners and coat sprays are DEFRA checked and we’ve used them for years with no side effects on any of our dogs, even ones with special needs. Mites** (that cause demodex) are different, common on all pups under the age of 1, and is usually the result of stress, a low immune system after all their vacs, or not getting enough vitamins in their diet. Keep using the diatomaceous earth, and a 'Hibiscrub’ brand shampoo
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-hair/a6844/hibiscrub-chlorhexidine/ DILUTED 1-20 (vets and NHS staff use this as humans can get it too, not ‘catch’ it from dogs but can develop demodex themselves under stress or if not eating right.) If this happens, change to a raw diet (advice given by Lora’s Luck all the way on this), add vitamins to their diet (such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beaphar-Vitamin-Tablets-Dogs-180-Count/dp/B004JLBHPS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=M24VUP4EY80U&dchild=1&keywords=dog+multivitamins+and+minerals&qid=1586435134&sprefix=dog+mulit%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-5)
and make up a weak solution of Hibiscrub and water, and only apply with a cotton pad to the areas where fur is lost NOT keep bathing the whole dog. LINKS FOR PRODUCTS ALL TESTED BY LORA’S LUCK (other links above we have not tried but they have good reviews): Diatomaceous earth- MUST be for fleas, worms, mites and ticks: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MULTI-MITE-5KG-DIATOMACEOUS-EARTH-Red-Mite-Worming-Fleas-DE-Feed-Supplement/232309179420?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 garlic pills and other products: https://www.dorwest.com/search/?search=garlic No More Critters herbal spot on https://www.amazon.co.uk/Animal-Herbology-NATURAL-RABBIT-REPELLENT/dp/B079ZVK7HV/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=no+more+critters&qid=1586434453&sr=8-2
Glimmermann’s pet shampoos, coat sprays and cleaners (all smell great too, we use the bubble gum/baby powder ones.) https://www.glimmermannproducts.co.uk/category/pet
Dorwest herbal flea and tick shampoo if the dog already has them https://www.dorwest.com/product/pennyroyal-dog-cat-shampoo/ Tick removal tool https://www.amazon.co.uk/OTom-02-3785-Otom-Tick-Twister/dp/B0089BOK12/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1UBI80EG34CWW&dchild=1&keywords=tick+removal+tool+for+dogs&qid=1586438436&sprefix=tick+removal+ti%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-6 Hibiscrub for mites https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battles-Hibiscrub-Antibacterial-Wash-500ml/dp/B00JKL1OXC/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=hibiscrub&qid=1586434418&sr=8-5 Raw food and all meat treats supplier who deliver to the door and we at Lora's Luck have used for years: https://www.daf-petfood.co.uk/4-raw-frozen-food Raw feeding and treats with no additives are proven to boost the dog's immune system, cut down on allergies and provide all the nutrients dogs need throughout their lives. They also help to clean their teeth and promote healthy growth, fur and skin. NO kibble is needed and you can feed your dog (size depending) for as little as 30p a day!
**If symptoms continue, please consult your vet. They are well aware of the increase in flea and ticks over the past year in dogs and cats, and good vets will discuss all possible treatments with you, rather than just chuck the dog on steroids.