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What makes a dog tick?

What are the preventive measures to protect your dog from getting ticks, and also the remedies available? Dr. Noo shares with you his thoughts and some tips...

First and foremost, as what another concerned pet parent has enquired about Frontline range of products, be aware that there are other ways of prevention so not resorting to the mentioned does not spell an end-all for our companions.

Just to share this important message with all concerned pet parents, Frontline is one of the many "Spot-On pesticide" that alot of pet parents gleefully (and religiously) administer on their companions. Industrial standards dictate that (most of the time before they discover more toxic stuff) the active ingredients in these solutions are imidacloprid, fipronil, permethrin, methoprene, and pyriproxyfen, all of which have been found to cause serious health problems in animals in laboratories. Even some of the inert ingredients can be hazardous to our companion’s health. We have come across dogs being highly allergic to pesticide overdose, with symptoms like vomitting, diarrhoea, trembling, seizures, and respiratory problems. Suffice to say, we'd be killing our companions slowly if we do not stop using 'over the counter' anti-parasitic products.

Prevention should be done with relentless efforts throughout your companion's lifes, in the form of an appropriate diet and the necessary topical administratives.

I'd like to highlight that companions on a commercial diet (poor quality) would suffer from deficiencies in one form or another. Such deficiencies, though not life-threatening, may lead to serious health problems in time to come. Unhealthy companions invariably are the preferred targets of fleas and ticks sp watch out for that as a tell-tale sign. As such, I can't help but emphasize that optimal and sound nutrition is the the first line (and best) defence against the dreaded parasites.

I'd briefly outline some natural ways all pet parents can consider adopting in their fight against fleas and ticks.

Garlic and brewer's yeast has been found to be an effective deterrant when being ingested over a period of time. A full spectrum of vitamins (esp vitamin B complexes) and minerals (appropriate doses of Copper, Iron, Lithium, Nickel, Selenium, Zinc) is highly recommended to complement your companions' daily diet.

Preparations from neem oil, rose geranium oil, tea tree oil or oil extracted from red cedar wood (individual concoction or in combination) does serve as natural ways of controlling flea and tick infestations.

Here's a concoction you can easily prepare at home (be warned that it can be quite odorifous for some) :

In a 500ml bottle, mix 30ml of (each) neem oil, emu oil and/or jojoba oil, some extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil with just a few drops of tea tree oil, To this, add a tablespoon of golden seal extract. Fill the rest of the bottle 1/2 with organic white vinegar and water. Mix all the mentioned ingredients well and massage the mixture into the entire surface of the skin. DO NOT rinse. This routine should be done once or twice a week and you won't have a tick in sight :)

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