We have fleas in Mississippi almost year round. I have tried several products which although
they worked, they were causing problems for Kirby. First we used Promeris, a monthly spot on
application. Not only did it have a very
strong odor for several hours, Kirby acted as if I were forcing him to undergo
a painful ritual each month. He would
come to me very slowly with his head down and once I had applied the magical
liquid he would frantically do the "face rub" on the rugs or grass
afterwards. His reaction really
bothered me. Then I read of a dog that
may have died from this very same product.
True or not, I wasn’t willing to take the risk.
We then tried Advantage followed by Frontline with nearly
the same reactions from Kirbs. I finally
began using a flea collar until a local veterinarian said it was like putting
poison around his neck. Damn fleas! My search intensified as I scoured the web
for information on flea preventatives, both good and bad.
First, I’ll share the bad news I discovered. The
EPA (pesticides fall under their jurisdiction) has issued an advisory about
“spot-on” chemical products used on dogs and cats due to a significant increase
in reported adverse reactions -- everything from mild skin irritation to
seizures and death. In 2008 there were
over 44,000 reactions, including 600 deaths, presumed to be tied to spot-on
products reported by pet owners, veterinarians and other animal
caretakers. The following facts were cited:
Most adverse reactions were seen in dogs weighing between 10 and 20 pounds; Reactions in mixed breed dogs were most commonly reported, however, the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Bichon Frise seem particularly at risk; Products containing cyphenothrin and permethrin were especially problematic for small breed dogs; Most incidents occurred in dogs under three years old, likely at their first exposure to a spot-on product; Adverse reactions for both dogs and cats were primarily skin, GI tract and nervous system related; Skin reactions included redness, itching, hair loss, sores and ulcers; Gastrointestinal symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and salivation; reported nervous system symptoms included lethargy, nervousness, ataxia (movement problems), tremors and seizure; A number of adverse reactions in cats were the result of the cat either being treated with a product intended for dogs, or through exposure to a treated dog. Cats treated with products intended for dogs had an especially rate of serious reactions and fatalities; Inert ingredients in spot-on products were generally assumed to contribute to toxicity; dosage ranges were considered to be too wide in some cases; Product labeling was identified as needing a revamp in many cases, and; The EPA’s Companion Animal Studies guidelines are insufficient to predict the toxicity of spot-on products.
Do I have your attention now?
The flea collars contain Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) and/or
Propoxur, both which have the potential to cause cancer in humans. These collars release chemicals onto the fur
around the neck area which is eventually absorbed through the skin. The chemicals are further spread whenever the
dogs groom, scratch or lick their bodies thus ingesting the chemicals as well.
So every day I can feed Kirby a healthy, natural dog food such as Honest Kitchen and top it off with a serving of dangerous chemicals? No thanks!
And don’t even get me started on the new Comfortis, a
monthly pill that works by circulating within the dog's bloodstream targeting
the biting adult flea's nervous system to cause paralysis and death. It is not supposed to have the same effect on
the dog's nervous system but it could be years before we know the adverse
effects. Not a risk I’m willing to take.
The good news is there are safe, effective products
available. My research has led to
several safe options, the most promising being neem oil, which I will focus on
today. A seemingly miraculous substance
that comes from the bark, leaves and oil of the neem tree which has been used
in India for centuries as a natural remedy for a multitude of ailments and
preventatives. Neem oil promotes a
shiny, healthy coat, a strong immune system and healthy skin. In fact quite a few cosmetic skin and hair
products contain neem oil.
Using neem oil as a rub for flea control on dogs is
easy. Just place a few drops of neem oil
on palms and simply rub hands through your pet's fur for effective flea and
tick control. Please note that neem oil
is best used this way for dogs only, not for cats. For sensitive dogs, dilute the neem oil 1:10
in a light oil like almond or jojoba and rub palms first. Then run hands
thoroughly through the dog's coat for natural, effective flea and tick control.
Organic neem oil makes an excellent flea and tick
spray. To prepare mix a ½ ounce of
organic neem oil with ¼ to ½ ounce of mild soap or detergent and 2 cups
water. Use warm, not hot, water to
dissolve the oil. Mix water and soap
first and then slowly add the neem oil.
Add to sprayer and use immediately. Discard after use since neem oil is
unstable and breaks down after 8 hours so mix a new batch each time.
You can also add neem oil to your favorite pet shampoo at a
rate of roughly ½ ounce for every 8 ounces of shampoo. Use the lesser amount for a preventative
maintenance shampoo adding more neem oil to the mix if the dog has an existing
or severe infestation. Blend shampoo
well into the coat. It will leave an
odor that will continue to repel unwanted pests. Treat weekly or more often for effective flea
and tick control for dogs and to catch all insects in their various stages of
development.
Kirby’s regular shampoo is Papaya 2 in 1 by Tropiclean which is all
natural, soap free and smells yummy. They
now carry Opti Neem Flea & Tick Shampoo. This shampoo doesn't claim to repel fleas but relieves itching and irritation due to fleas and ticks. It has a
strong pine like smell which disappears after a few hours. He does have to wait in the tub for fifteen
minutes before rinsing per the instructions.
We have been using this shampoo for several months now with good
results. As for his coat, it’s still
shiny and soft.
I also use premixed Neem Protect Natural Flea Spray once or twice a week. It contains neem oil and citronella oil which gives it a lemony smell. This spray claims to not only repel fleas but also repels lice, mites, flies mosquitoes, and ticks. I spray it on his coat and then rub it in
being careful not to get it in his eyes. It is water soluable so it does have to be reapplied if your dog gets wet. You can purchase an 8 oz. bottle for $9.25 online at Herbal Remedies.Com.
Keep in mind that some dogs may experience an allergic
reaction to neem oil. Most commonly, you
may see a rash or red spot appear where neem oil was applied. If so, simply wash the area. You may want to conduct a small spot test to
make sure your dog is not sensitive to neem oil before applying it over his
entire body. If your dog experiences a
stronger adverse reaction to neem oil application, consult a veterinarian
immediately.
Remember,
-Use only pure, 100% organic neem oil.
-Caution is advised when using on animals that are breeders
or about to be bred. Use neem oil at
half strength for flea and tick control.
-Do not treat cats with concentrated neem oil. Using neem leaf tea is far safer for felines.
I would love to know if you use these products or have discovered another all natural
remedy in the war against fleas!
