Flea and Tick Prevention in PA

[ZoesMomma]

Zoe and I will be visiting a campground in the mountains of PA in a few weeks and I'd like some advice on the best and safest flea and tick prevention. Having never had a problem with them here, I haven't used any at all for years. She is a year old, and the only medication she is on is Interceptor.

Thanks!

[hokisteph5]

I use Frontline Plus for my dogs. If you're not worried about fleas as much as ticks, maybe look at getting a Preventic collar.

[beans]

My dog contracted Lyme while she was on Frontline Plus. I now use the Preventic collar (only when we are out tracking).

Also, use common sense- check over your dogs skin daily, especially if you have been in areas with tall grasses or dense undergrowth. Use a flea comb to comb the fur backwards to look at the skin. Especially check warm areas like the neck, head, ears, armpits, belly and anus.

An infected deer tick needs to be attached for 48 hours to transmit the Lyme spirochete to your dog. It won't get the disease if the tick just bites but does not attach for that duration. Also, this time of year the deer ticks are in their nymph stage, and are usually attaching to smaller hosts like mice. Its the fall when they become a bigger problem for the dogs (and deer). Right now you're likely to pick up some of the larger American Dog Ticks, which do not carry the Lyme spirochette.

Here's a link with some info: Lyme Disease

[ZoesMomma]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

I use Frontline Plus for my dogs. If you're not worried about fleas as much as ticks, maybe look at getting a Preventic collar.

Thanks! Deer ticks are my primary worry, but I'd hate to bring home fleas.

[nancyhq]

I use frontline too. It's worked. I would advise giving your dog a flea shampoo upon arriving home. There are many on the market. I usually get one at my vets office because they tend to have more up to date, quality products. Medications such as Frontline kills fleas and larva and it sterilize the unhatched eggs. It is meant to control the environment your pet lives in. It does a great job. Although Frontline will help there is still the possibility of brining home fleas from an outside area. Shampoo and you should be fine. Try to avoid using powders.

In addition, I would talk to your vet. They will give you great advice in this area. My main concerns when camping or hiking are heart worm and Lymes. There are lots of things on the market now to protect our pets. Be sure to check your dog for ticks. Good luck and have fun.

[Weily4Life]

I haven't used anything on my dogs for a couple years. They were so resistant to having the Frontline Plus put on them as though it was iritating there skin--they squirmed terribly when I tried to put it on them those previous years, and I did not like the idea of putting those pesticides on them anyway. We have not had a problem with fleas in past years.

However, because ticks seem to be so prevalent everywhere this year, I decided to get some preventative.

I found a product called Natural Defense, Natural Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs & Puppies.



Package Information:

• Kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes with natural ingredients
• Kills fleas and ticks on contact
• Safe for use around children and pets
• Veterinarian tested

Active Ingredients: Peppermint Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Lemon Grass Oil,
Clove Oil, Thyme Oil, 2-Phenethyl Propionate

Other Ingredients: Vanillin, Isopropyl Myristate

The girls did not squirm or seem irritated with the application and they smelled as though they are wearing perfume . The only place that I noticed a mosquito since application has been on the muzzle.