Tick season blues - Page 2

Nexgard and Bravecto were mentioned, but watch out for Simparica as well. It is alleged to cause neurological issues. My vet gave it to me for Wicca when she was three months old even though the box clearly says six months and older. When I said this, my vet tells me, "yes it says that, but we've given this to eight week old puppies with good results." Are you fucking kidding me?!

No BeeTree we are living in a forested area. It is when going South to train, track and/or trial that there is a problem. Only 20 miles away (all downhill) out of our mountains in the agricultural areas with mixed farm and bush that the ticks have become an infestation going from rare to an invasion over a short 5 year period.

From what I gather so far people do not have much confidence in natural repellents when the ticks and LD are plentiful.

koach

I have used neat essential oils mixed in water with great success at deterring ticks and fleas. I live in Minnesota, you might have different results in other parts of the country. However, there have been times when I have gotten ticks, but my dogs have not, so I do believe it works well. I have also read apple cider vinegar repels ticks and fleas, but have never used it.

I live in Western Pennsylvania which has a high incidence of Lyme disease with approximately 50% of deer ticks positive for it. My German Shepherd puppy was started on Frontline in May at age 3 months and that summer had fleas and at least one tick and she tested positive for Lyme. She was treated with Doxycycline for a month and fortunately never developed any disease symptoms. She was switched to Simple Guard 3 and at age 5 has had very few (2-3) ticks and no fleas. While I hate having to use this product on her, she has had no side effects and it has kept her relatively free of ticks.

Yes, Koach, the transition from forest to farmland is going to be the prime tick zone. I don't put much stock in the natural repellents. We had a mild winter so the tick forecast is daunting. I will probably have to use one of the vet products if vigilence isn't working. I also have used the LD vaccine for my dogs, and have for years. No ill affects and no Lyme symptoms for them, either. Can't say the same for my son. Plenty of other dogs, especially the puppies! are known to have contracted Lymes in my area.

I am sure you will do what works best for you.

According to my vet, there are many dogs in the area I live in, near Gulf Coast, that have been diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If it is caught early enough, the vet can treat it with Doxycycline.

About to trade my seresto collar for a preventic collar. Experts say 2017 will be a horrid season for tick infestation