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by dogshome9 on 02 May 2013 - 00:05
Beautiful boy
by Ruger1 on 02 May 2013 - 09:05
Thanks for all the comments,,For those of you recommending a flea prevention I have been researching which one I will use should we find even 1 flea..My local vet recommended Parastar , Trifexis, or Sentinel,,I am hoping the current natural prevention methods will work along with being more proactive now that I know he has a potential for a flea allergy..
Nan, thanks for the cinnamon info, I do remember that now..Also it seems to me that one of my daughters friends was telling me that body builders use it for another reason,,Something about cinnamon being used to help metabolize something in the body,,,????I can not quite remember...
Fawndallas,,We have been using diatomaceous earth for the cracks and crevices,,I will have to look into salt,,Interesting information..Thanks..
Bubbaboo,,If we have another episode like this one without the evidence of fleas I am certainly going to consider a possible thyroid issue,,
Sunsilver, LF , Sitasmom,,Thanks for the compliments..:) LF, I call him my lil grisly all the time...:)
VKGSD..The antibiotic has made a 100% difference ..:)
Dogshome,,Thank you..:)
Nan, thanks for the cinnamon info, I do remember that now..Also it seems to me that one of my daughters friends was telling me that body builders use it for another reason,,Something about cinnamon being used to help metabolize something in the body,,,????I can not quite remember...
Fawndallas,,We have been using diatomaceous earth for the cracks and crevices,,I will have to look into salt,,Interesting information..Thanks..
Bubbaboo,,If we have another episode like this one without the evidence of fleas I am certainly going to consider a possible thyroid issue,,
Sunsilver, LF , Sitasmom,,Thanks for the compliments..:) LF, I call him my lil grisly all the time...:)
VKGSD..The antibiotic has made a 100% difference ..:)
Dogshome,,Thank you..:)
by Blitzen on 02 May 2013 - 10:05
Fleas are driving me nuts. We haven't had a killing frost in FL for 2 consecutive winters, they ever go away. It's necessary to switch products from time to time, fleas can develop resistence to the insecticide. In my experience, natural products aren't going to help much unless you are prepared to wait for several months to see results. When you get fleas under control then I think natural products have some value.
Keflx is the drug of choice for skin infections. Bacterial infection will also cause atopy, it's a vicious circle - flea bites dog, dog reacts to the saliva by scrathing, dog damages skin and bacteria invades the site. If that dog is bitten again, even one bite from just one flea, it will begin to scratch at the site of every previous unhealed flea bite.
I did notice that Ruger's skin is rather thickened and black. That could be the result of the bacteria, but if it doesn't return to normal, I'd too would be thinking about having his thyroid tested at Jean Dodd's lab. I believe someone else suggested that too. Thyroid malfunction can cause many issues, skin and temperament concerns for example.
Keflx is the drug of choice for skin infections. Bacterial infection will also cause atopy, it's a vicious circle - flea bites dog, dog reacts to the saliva by scrathing, dog damages skin and bacteria invades the site. If that dog is bitten again, even one bite from just one flea, it will begin to scratch at the site of every previous unhealed flea bite.
I did notice that Ruger's skin is rather thickened and black. That could be the result of the bacteria, but if it doesn't return to normal, I'd too would be thinking about having his thyroid tested at Jean Dodd's lab. I believe someone else suggested that too. Thyroid malfunction can cause many issues, skin and temperament concerns for example.
by starrchar on 02 May 2013 - 10:05
Deanna, Prince is so handsome! As others have said, don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. I know I sure have!
My female GSD, who just passed away 2 months ago, was very reactive to flea bites like your Prince. Like you, I prefer to go the natural route if possible. I rarely have a flea problem, but since we take our dogs out with us a lot, on occasion they will pick them up. Here is what has worked for me: I have resorted to using Advantage on the dogs, not monthly, but only when absolutely necessary. I have tried all the natural topical products, but with no success. Using the DE was a disaster. It may work, but I'll never know! My dogs were walking dust bowls so I bathed them shortly after I applied it. I'll treat the area rugs and carpets with borax and/or DE and vacuum real good. I keep the lawn treated with beneficial nematodes (Arbico.com). At the first sign of a skin reaction I will put Mometomax on the area and usually it clears up within a couple of days. Neo-predef also works sometimes. I've tried Colloidol Silver and it seems to work ok, but not as well as the Neo-predef or Mometomax. If all else fails, I will resort to oral antibiotics, but that is extremely rare. On a regular basis my dogs get a raw diet of varied proteins, salmon oil, probiotic, digestive enzymes, small amount of garlic, parsley and various herbs, which are rotated on a 2 week cycle. Although they get a good diet i don't really think it wards off fleas or ticks :(
We had a tick problem a year ago, for the first time in 15-20 years. After trying an all natural approach, which i had no success with, I called a pest control company and had the yard and house treated with the least toxic chemicals possible. I hated the thought of using the chemicals, but felt I had no choice. During the time I tried to treat the problem myself it got much worse and my only regret is that I wish I would've called in the professionals sooner. Sometimes we just have to being out the big guns!
Anyway, I'm so glad your boy is on the mend and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
My female GSD, who just passed away 2 months ago, was very reactive to flea bites like your Prince. Like you, I prefer to go the natural route if possible. I rarely have a flea problem, but since we take our dogs out with us a lot, on occasion they will pick them up. Here is what has worked for me: I have resorted to using Advantage on the dogs, not monthly, but only when absolutely necessary. I have tried all the natural topical products, but with no success. Using the DE was a disaster. It may work, but I'll never know! My dogs were walking dust bowls so I bathed them shortly after I applied it. I'll treat the area rugs and carpets with borax and/or DE and vacuum real good. I keep the lawn treated with beneficial nematodes (Arbico.com). At the first sign of a skin reaction I will put Mometomax on the area and usually it clears up within a couple of days. Neo-predef also works sometimes. I've tried Colloidol Silver and it seems to work ok, but not as well as the Neo-predef or Mometomax. If all else fails, I will resort to oral antibiotics, but that is extremely rare. On a regular basis my dogs get a raw diet of varied proteins, salmon oil, probiotic, digestive enzymes, small amount of garlic, parsley and various herbs, which are rotated on a 2 week cycle. Although they get a good diet i don't really think it wards off fleas or ticks :(
We had a tick problem a year ago, for the first time in 15-20 years. After trying an all natural approach, which i had no success with, I called a pest control company and had the yard and house treated with the least toxic chemicals possible. I hated the thought of using the chemicals, but felt I had no choice. During the time I tried to treat the problem myself it got much worse and my only regret is that I wish I would've called in the professionals sooner. Sometimes we just have to being out the big guns!
Anyway, I'm so glad your boy is on the mend and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
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