Tick & Flea Meds Analysis 5-2020

[Olesia711]

Although this is a little off-topic, we feel it is well worth mentioning because so many EPI parents have questions about using which tick and flea med on their EPI pet. What is safe, what isn't.

We cannot tell you which product to use except to
1. stay away from the multi-purpose products that address tick, fleas and heartworms all in one..... we want to stay away from these kinds of products with our dogs (and cats) that are compromised due to EPI.
2. stay away from products that are too potent and only recommended to be given every 3, 6 , 9 or 12 months.... these are way too potent for our compromised dogs (and cats) due to EPI.

To read the indepth article / research..... please check it out here: https://epi4dogs.com/tick-flea-meds-analysis-5-2020/
It has a comprehensive list of tick and flea meds/ death rates/ rates of various health conditions triggered by certain products. A very good read.

[Madelon]

Thanks for the great information!

[sapresley]

I wanted to include reference to a link on giving dogs a foot soak at the end of the day. Alesia and I had a discussion on pesticides/herbicides and affect on animals and this link also addressing and goes deeper into those concerns since dog's feet and nose are the 2 places dogs sweat. This Dr. calls dog's feet little Swiffer dusters which is cute and so true. Below is the place to go to listen and watch this piece on the benefits of giving our dogs foot baths in the summer especially, cutting down on allergies, toxins, yeast and bacteria. She also had several alternatives to flea and tick control that are healthy and can be used alternately with chemical treatments. I found this very helpful and feel so badly that I didn't know about this a few years ago - it might have prevented the death of one of my dogs.
Sherry - Maddie's mom

MercolaHealthyPets
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http://healthypets.mercola.com/ Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian demonstrates foot soaks for your dogs.

[Olesia711]

Thanks Sherry!

Great article.... but i had to go in and specifically type"Dr. Mercola foot soaks" and this came up.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/h ... -bath.aspx
... in short, just soak your dogs feet nightly (especially in summer) with povidone iodine (betadine) and water.... use just enough to make the water look like tea..

I used to wash my Lulu's feet whenever she started chewing them a lot.... but i only did it because she had allergies, i never thought to think it thru further,,, that as a dog walks outside, they step on and pick up all kinds of toxins.... so this is a really good routine to practice!

[Jean]

it would likely be useful for grass seed intollerances as they get between the pads

Kai my middle Shepherd had this all of his life we used to wash his paws when he came in from a walk anywhere near grass

he had to take anti histamines all the time we had him, 10 years


Jeanx

[Olesia711]

THat's how i started out with Lulu's allergies... i too used to just wipe down the paws, but then i started dipping in a little bowl of water with Betadine (same thing as Povidone ) and for us it worked better with the allergies.

[Barb]

Great information. Thanks!

Barb

[sapresley]

This is a very good post subject, not something I ever thought about doing even though I knew our dogs were probably getting a lot of herbicides on their feet! I didn't know the Betadine was a natural product either. So glad so many knowledgeable people on here; way too much for any one person so remember:)

[Molly]

I’m glad I read back a few posts. I wonder if this is what is going on with our dog’s paw right now. He’s on an antihistamine and a light steroid and that has started to promote some healing. I should wash his feet every time he comes in. Allergies are awful this year. Especially right now.

[Madelon]

I've had great results using a Chlorhexadine shampoo (recommended by our dermatologist) and athletes foot cream on the paw (recommended by our vet after several cultures and all coming back as yeast). It's definitely a puzzle figuring out what works with allergies.