GSD in trouble with TIcks - Page 1

Q-What is the best possible way to keep dog away from ticks.?? I have Gsd female which has so many tick currently what to do please advice.????

You need to cut back all vegetation in area dog is in and separate it from wild areas with a mulch border. Hand pick all ticks off the dog. Ticks will drop from trees too, so keep this in mind when housing dog. Visually check dog for ticks, daily. Use appropriate tick killing products. Get appropriate vaccines, although they are only considered 70% reliable in my area. 

Others will suggest various killing products, I am sure. Good Luck and be vigilent. I hate ticks.

thanks beetree

We had many ticks at our vacation house in Pa, which is in a wooded area. We fenced in a large area, keep the grass short, and removed all the trees from the area. Sprayed nematodes for fleas on the lawn and the area surrounding the perimeter. The flea nematodes really work! So  far, so good.

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate 

Neem, such as Ark Naturals Neem Protect or make your own out of 1 part neem to 10 parts coconut oil, rubbed in. Also works to repel mosquito bites. Preventic collars are very effective but act as mao inhibitors, are toxic (unlike neem) if ingested and should not be exposed to cats.Also get the new SNAP 4 dx test. Tics are killing dogs via Bartonella, babiosis, erlichia. SNAP ® 4Dx ® Plus Test Know more with every result. The SNAP ® 4Dx ® Plus Test raises the standard of care for annual parasite screening. It provides an accurate result in just 8 minutes. But the benefits of vector-borne disease screening go far beyond the well-being of an individual pet. With the addition of two new claims for Ehrlichia ewingii and Anaplasma platys, the SNAP 4Dx Plus Test replaces the flagship SNAP 4Dx Test as the most comprehensive in-house vector-borne disease screen—that’s in addition to heartworm, Lyme disease, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis.

In addition to the other great suggestions here there are some other ways to help too.  

Tall grass, evergreen trees and bushes in particular are favorite places for ticks.  Determine what kind of tick it is that you are having a problem with and see what things are effective against your specific species of ticks.  
How much land do you own?  Are you allowed to have poultry?  Chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl are excellent tick eaters.  
Consider planting things that are repulsive to ticks and fleas, namely aromatic herbs (Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Oregano, Basil, Citronella, etc.) also the Beauty Berry bush repels fleas, flies and ticks.

In any dry places that your dog hangs out you can also put down food-grade diatomaceous earth and crushed, dried, aromatic herbs (or aromatic herb oils.)   Cedar chips and other things too.  Please note that these things can cause eye irritation and respiratory irritation when in large amounts.  

The immune system also plays a role in how much a dog attracts parasites.  Re-consider the food your dog is being fed and you may also want to re-consider any breeding plans for your dog.  Infestation of ticks is a good indicator of immune system problem and may be genetic.  

Besides applying frontline or advantage (or similar quality topical product) you could also make a homemade spray or cream for your dog's coat to repel the ticks.  
below are some recipes for sprays.  If you don't want to do a spray then you can substitute the water/vinegar/soap for coconut oil.  Just add a few drops of your choice essential oils to a couple tablespoons of coconut oil, mix well and rub into the dog's coat.  Yes, it's a lil messy and your dog may be a tad greasy, but smells good and ticks hate it.  

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/qt/Flea_Spray.htm   http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/homemade-flea-treatment.html   http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/homemade-flea-treatment-for-the-house_768.html   http://www.ehow.com/how_4536875_make-homemade-flea-repellent.html

Doxycycline given for 5 days 10 mg per kg after seeing a tick on your dog can be given and will prevent tick disease. It is often prescibed for humans to prevent malaria when traveling. These tick borne diseases are terrible better to be safe than sorry.