Ticks, Fleas and Heartworm - 2022 IMPORTANT UPDATES

Feb 01, 2023 Dan

IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!!!

We are getting reminders about heartworm testing and making an appointment for bloodwork and getting our flea, tick, and heartworm meds.  We are hearing about how bad ticks will be this year.  News reports are again highlighting the seriousness of Lyme disease and the challenge we have in Canada for timely testing and effective treatment solutions.

 

My messages this year are the same as every other year.  

 

  1. For those that have purchased and chosen to use the Earth MD Outdoor Shield as part of natural approach to the critters, START DOSING NOW! Feed 1 week every other month.  For those that are very active outdoors or spend time in higher risk areas, you can dose for 7 days every month.  For puppies, kittens, and highly metabolic dogs, you might want to consider dosing for 10 days every month.  Want to learn more about Earth MD and their approach to tick and flea protection, click on their blog HERE.

 

  1. Get the heartworm test done.  It will be peace of mind.  Heartworm risk is extremely small in Ontario.  Want to learn more about what the real risks are of heartworm and what a safe and natural prevention plan looks like?  CLICK HERE

 

  1. Most of the tick and flea prevention meds ARE NOT SAFE FOR PUPPIES AND KITTENS.  If you choose to use these on the youngsters, please read the warnings from the manufacturer.

 

  1. Seriously consider staying away from the flea and tick meds if your pets has a compromised immune system due to an underlying health issue.  We see many pets that have skin issues and itchies due to food or environmental issues.  Dogs and cats that are prone to seizures should definitely stay away from these drugs.  Putting a parasiticide into their system is certainly not going to help and could do more harm than good.  

 

IS A NATURAL PROTECTION PLAN THE WAY TO GO?

Choosing how you will protect your pet and household from the critters is a very personal choice.  I always say, weigh your options and make sure you have as much information as possible.  Make an informed decision that will allow you to sleep at night.  

There are always natural alternatives.  At the end of the day, Lyme’s disease can be effectively dealt with if caught early enough and fleas can be easily managed.  You can read more about Ticks and Lyme’s disease HERE.

 

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON TICK FLEA HEARTWORM MEDS

It is becoming more apparent that the meds we put into our pets are not as safe as we are all lead to believe.  Here are a few studies/reports that are shining a very different light on this situation.

 

PROJECT JAKE – SURVEY OF CANINE USE AND SAFETY OF ISOXOZOLINE PARASITICIDES.

This is a survey of both veterinarians and pet owners examining the use of Isoxozoline (one of the active pesticides used in some prevention meds).  This paper shows that the reporting of Adverse Reactions to these meds is significantly different than the reporting to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).  You can access the paper here  PROJECT JAKE

 

THE EFFECTS OF FIPRONIL ON EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIORS IN MAMMALS.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is widely used as a pesticide and a veterinary drug, although studies suggest that it could be toxic to mammals.  This study suggests that there should be further studies on dogs to further understand the extent to which this drug can affect our dog’s behaviour.  Very interesting and you can learn more HERE

 

EPA INTERNALLY QUESTIONED ITS ABILITY TO PROPERLY REGULATE PET COLLARS LINKED TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INJURY REPORTS.

This is not a scientific paper but an investigative report.  You always have to question the validity of what is being reported in something like this.  However, it is an interesting read.  If true, we are putting our faith in an agency responsible for the safety of ourselves and our pets when drugs are involved.  Check it out HERE

 

Natural approaches in conjunction with effective screening tools can be a solid plan when choosing not to put pesticides into your pet’s system.

If a natural approach is for you and your pet head to our Seasonal Solutions Section to checkout all the natural preventatives we offer. 

 

 

This information is intended to provide information only. Each animal health situation is unique. This information is not intended for use in diagnosis or treatment of specific health problems or diseases and should never be considered as a substitute for veterinary advice.