Fleas and Tick control

How you I recommend you control fleas and ticks in dogs and cats

Why not use the potent insecticides from Bayer et al?

Environmental concerns and side effects

But

“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on September 20, 2018 about the isoxazoline flea and tick products fluralaner for dogs and cats (Bravecto®), afoxalaner for dogs (Nexgard®), and saroloner for dogs (Simparica®). The recently introduced isoxazoline, lotilaner (Credelio®) for dogs falls into this same class.

See here for the FDA warning

Dogs and cats with no known prior medical history of muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures have experienced those adverse reactions to this class of flea and tick preventive pesticides. While the FDA is not pulling the four flea and tick preventatives off the market at this time, they will all have to carry an FDA warning on their packaging.”

“Animal Drug Safety Communication: FDA Alerts Pet Owners and Veterinarians About Potential for Neurologic Adverse Events Associated with Certain Flea and Tick Products.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 20 Sept. 2018,

So what can we do?

I will write more when I get chance but for now I leave you with formula I know works

So what are the natural alternatives? CIVT’s Principle, Dr Barbara Royal, has a favourite home-made formula she uses on her own dogs to prevent fleas and ticks. It’s simple, effective and she’s sharing it today!

Essential Oils:

Geranium Oil – 20 drops

Lemongrass Oil – 7 drops

Peppermint Oil – 6 drops

Cinnamon Cassia Oil – 4 drops

Cedarwood Oil – 3 drops

Thyme Oil – 2 drops

Add to:

40ml Apple Cider Vinegar

15ml Sweet Almond Oil

Add water to fill a 240ml spray bottle. Shake well. 

Application:

Use weekly on dogs as a gentle spritz for fleas and ticks, or spray on a cotton or hemp collar that can be used for outdoor exposure and then removed when indoors. 

*Dr Royal recommends prior to use owners patch test any dogs that are sensitive to topical applications. In areas prone to paralysis ticks, dog owners should consider the use of commercial tick products.

 http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm620934.htm.

Dodds, Jean. “Heartworm: A Real and Present Danger.” Dr. Jean Dodds’ Pet Health Resource, 3 May 2015, http://www.drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/118052606336/heartworm-dogs-danger#.W7OlAWhKjIV.

Dodds, Jean. “MDR1 Gene Mutation in Dogs.” MDR1 Gene Mutation in Dogs, 26 May 2017, http://www.drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/158855646346/mdr1-gene-mutation-in-dogs-and-cats#.W7OmzWhKjIV.

“Exzolt.” European Medicines Agency, 20 Oct. 2017, http://www.ema.europa.eu/medicines/veterinary/EPAR/exzolt.

“MSD Animal Health Launches First Systemic Treatment for Poultry Red Mites; EXZOLT® Eliminates Infestations in European Poultry Houses.” Merck Animal Health, 5 Sept. 2017, http://www.merck-animal-health.com/news/2017-09-05.aspx.

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