Canine Fleas and Ticks

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Canine Fleas and Ticks - Combat with Herbs and Essential Oils

 

by Sevi Kay

 

No matter how much of a nature lover one can be, it sure is another

thing to have these critters on you and your dogs. Fleas are

everywhere and though we live in a city, I still battle fleas on my

German shepherd. If your dog is allergic to fleas as our dog is, you

will especially need to stay on top of your combating tactics when it

comes to these bloodsuckers.

 

For those holistic followers the following recipes can be wonderful

remedies. Since they are all natural, they will only help repel

fleas, ticks and flies etc. and must be applied more frequently as

well.

 

Herbal Critter Repellent Mix: Dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf

herbs, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, clove buds.

 

Crush your botanicals well and fill a muslin bag or use it in the

cedar chip mixture of your dogs bed. The muslin bags can be placed

near your dogs bedding area.

 

Tick Spritzer Blend:

2 drops of Lavender, Basil, Lemon, Opoponax, Eucalyptus

1 tea spoon apple cider vinegar

1 tea spoon vodka

1 cup of dried marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary

2 cups of water

 

Flea Spritzer Blend:

2 drops of cedarwood, lemongrass, rose geranium

1 tea spoon apple cider vinegar

1 tea spoon vodka

1 cup of dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs

1- 2 cups of water

 

Add the essential oils and vodka in a bottle, tighten the lid and

shake well. Once the mixture blended (should turn white), add apple

cider vinegar. If you have some herbs mentioned above you can make an

herbal tea to use in your spritzer.

 

Boil 2-4 cups of water and remove from heat. Add your dried herbs in

the water and let is simmer for 30 minutes. Once cool, drain and use

instead of plain water in your spritzer. If you are using an herbal

tea, this mixture must be kept in the refrigerator as the herbal teas

have the tendency to go bad faster.

 

Once you have your spritzer you can use this by gently spraying it in

to your dogs coat, legs, tummy and back. Rub it in well and apply it

as necessary. Do not use any of the essential oils on your dogs face

or around nose, ears and eyes. Respect the sensitive nose he/she has

and go easy when using aromatic substances such as essential oils.

 

Check your dog often for fleas and ticks by play petting and

inspecting. I always have the following handy when we are conducing

an inspection.

 

Tweezers

Jar filled with rubbing alcohol.

 

Tissues

 

Cotton balls

Keep in mind that not all ticks carry a disease causing organism, and

just because you had a tick bite does not mean you will get Lyme

disease. Even if a tick is a carrier, it's bite may not always cause

the development of disease, but proper caution and care always is

crucial in prevention. If you see any abnormal rashes after a tick

bite, you should consult your doctor or your dog's vet immediately.

 

" Ticks may carry various infectious organisms that can transmit

diseases to cats and dogs, including the following (listed with

possible symptoms):

 

 

babesiosis: lethargy, appetite loss, weakness, pale gums

 

ehrlichiosis: high fever, muscle aches

Lyme disease: lameness, swollen joints, fever, poor appetite,

fatigue, and vomiting (some infected animals show no symptoms)

tick paralysis in dogs: gradual paralysis, seen first as an unsteady

gait from uncoordinated back legs (some infected dogs don't develop

paralysis). " Dixie Farley- FDA Consumer magazine (July-August 1996)

Being hikers, we always encounter ticks and carry our tweezers and a

small jar of alcohol on each trip! Use a fine-point tweezers. Never

squeeze the tick's body. Try to grab it (with your tweezers) where

its mouth-parts enter the skin and pull gently without letting go. It

will eventually releases its hold by withdrawing its barbed mouth-

part from your skin.

 

Do not try to pull it out within seconds - proper tick removal will

take time and needs patience. Keep an eye on any abnormal rashes and

consult your doctor if necessary. Once you have successfully removed

the tick from your skin or your pets skin, we suggest that you store

it in a small jar filled with alcohol for a few days before disposing

it.

 

Good luck and stay flea & tick free!

Sevi Kay

 

About This Contributor: Sevi Kay is a former chef, crafter and a

botanical dog products formulator and the founder of Mundo, L.L.C.

She has been working with herbs and essential oils on dogs for the

past 6 years. Sevi is also studying animal behavior and training with

canine specialist and Schutzhund trainer Doreen Reinhart. Sevi and

her German Shepherd Mundo can be visited at

http://www.cybercanine.com/founderbios.htm