When you think of citronella oil often times you imagine a candle burning on a humid summer’s evening keeping mosquitoes at bay. But it does come at a price as you must endure the overpowering scent of citronella. While citronella does ward off insects it might also ward off your friends too!
Citronella comes from the lemongrass family which is why it smell so bright, but it’s actually that same smell that wards off the insects. The distinctive scent makes it difficult for insects to locate you.
Citronella has been found very effective on a species of mosquito, called Aedes Aegypti whose bite causes the dreaded Yellow Fever. However, it’s also effective on fleas, ticks and all types of mosquitoes.
Dirty & Hairy OUTDOOR has managed to create products that contain citronella so they ward off insects, but to the human nose they have a lovely fresh smelling green tea and lime smell. Spray it on your legs or on your dog and up goes that anti-insect force field
The best part? According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) citronella oil has little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent.
Advantages of Citronella oil over Insecticides
Insecticides like Permethrin can be used to repel insects. Permethrin is highly effective against ticks and mites, but at the same time may have harmful side effects for humans and animals. Likewise, the biggest disadvantage of DEET is that it is toxic. DEET goes into the bloodstream through skin and hampers the body’s nervous system.. On the other hand citronella oil has no side effects, and is considered very safe. Also citronella uses water as a carrier, as compared to alcohol which is used in DEET. The natural insect repellents are safe to use for all ages and pets.
Citronella Oil and Dogs
Outdoor insects are more prevalent in the summer which is the same time that dogs are the most itchy—hmmm… not a coincidence! Flea Allergy Dermatits (FAD) is the most common inflammatory skin disorder in dogs. Although all dogs can become infested with fleas not all dogs will develop FAD. This condition only arises in certain dogs that have an allergy to the flea’s saliva. When fleas bite your dog, they inject their saliva into his skin. In dogs that are prone to FAD, this sets off an allergic reaction, causing the dog to irritate the wound even more than expected. Dermatitis results and the damage to the skin allows for bacterial invasion. Now the problem snowballs even more due to this secondary bacterial infection of the wound. What is a dog owner to do?
Remove the live fleas and prevent new fleas from jumping on board. There are countless over the counter products like Advantix to help kill live fleas on your dog. They are relatively safe but not for every animal. If yours is older, or battling an acute disease, don’t use it. We recommend trying natural products that contain citronella first like Dirty & Harry OUTDOOR spray.
Other Ways to Manage Flea Allergy Dermatitis
As a last resort…
by Dr. Nicola Parry
Does your dog have a flea allergy? If so, his constant paw licking is likely driving you insane. And if it makes you feel this way, imagine how he is feeling! Even though his allergy can’t be cured, there are definitely things you can do to manage this problem.
How Can I Help To Manage His Skin Problem?
You can help your dog in two important ways, and they involve treating the cause as well as the symptoms:
Is your dog’s paw licking driving you insane? Get our FREE 13 Page guide: 18 Ways to Stop Paw Licking for Good!
If you’ve ever suffered the wrath of poison ivy, you’ll know how it feels to have itchy skin. So do your dog a favor and help keep his flea allergy and itchiness under control. You can be sure he’ll then be licking your face instead of his paws!
Is your Dog’s Paw Licking Driving you insane? Get our Free ebook, click to download.
]]>by Nicola Parry, DVM
Ticks are parasites that need to feed on animals to survive. They attach to the dog (or you!) by inserting their sharp mouthparts into the skin, and begin feeding on your dog’s blood. Only when feeding is complete (after hours or days) will they leave the dog. Typically when they attach they are small, and may go unnoticed, especially if your dog has a long coat, or if they attach in a difficult-to-see region of the body. After feeding, however, they are larger because their body expands as they engorge on their blood meal.
The risk of tick infestation varies in relation to the time of year, with the summer months being a particular problem. Geographical location is important too, and some regions (like the northeastern United States where I live) can present more of a problem than others. Although ticks are typically associated with disease transmission, not all ticks actually carry diseases; however, because they can transmit conditions like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (also transmissible to people), the threat of disease should be taken seriously.
8 Signs Associated With Tick Infestation
Tick Prevention Techniques
Tick Removal
Many methods are described for tick removal, including the use of commercially made tools, but the simplest technique involves using regular tweezers.
If At First You Don’t Succeed
Don’t panic! If some of the tick’s mouthparts remain accidentally attached to your dog after your removal attempt, this is not an urgent problem. Your veterinarian may be able to remove the remaining portions and treat any inflammatory reaction that may arise at the site. You too can help to reduce any irritation that your dog may feel, simply by using his favorite grooming products. Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo and Fur Butter conditioning treatment will help to reduce the itchiness. Then follow up with a spray of “Itchin’ For Relief”. It also never hurts to be using “Healthy Skin Shiny Coat” – these easy-to-administer drops are given by mouth, and help to improve skin and coat quality in general, as well as having the added benefit of helping to reduce itchiness over time.
So there are certainly ways for you to help reduce the chances of ticks causing problems for your dog. And remember that some diseases that ticks transmit to dogs, can be transmitted to you too. So controlling your dog’s exposure to these annoying parasites and their associated problems can be beneficial to your health too.
Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles
]]>What is Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
“Dermatitis” means inflammation of the skin, and flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common inflammatory skin disorder in dogs. Although all dogs can become infested with fleas if they are not treated preventatively, not all dogs will develop FAD. This condition only arises in certain dogs that have an allergy to the flea’s saliva.
When fleas bite your dog, they inject their saliva into his skin. In dogs that are prone to FAD, this sets off an allergic reaction, causing the dog to irritate the wound even more than expected. Dermatitis results and the damage to the skin allows for bacterial invasion. Now the problem snowballs even more due to this secondary bacterial infection of the wound. Although my little old Jack Russell terrier is no longer with me, I remember all too well the perils of his FAD!
5 Important Signs Of FAD
4 Areas Typically Affected By FAD
The ABC’s of FAD
A – Attack the bacteria
Your veterinarian will no doubt prescribe some form of antibacterial agent to treat the secondary bacterial infection. This is especially important because even if your dog’s flea infestation is treated effectively, if the bacterial infection goes untreated, the problem will continue to snowball as your dog further traumatizes the affected area.
B – Break the cycle of itching and scratching
In addition to any pharmaceutical products prescribed by your veterinarian, there are 3 products that can help bring about some immediate relief.
Comfy Dog Oatmeal Shampoo helps to relieve the itching associated with allergies, and is ideal for dogs with FAD. For maximum relief, follow up on this shampooing with Fur Butter, an ultra-rich, deep conditioning treatment that also contains oatmeal. And last, but certainly not least, Itchin’ For Relief can be applied to your dog’s irritated skin. This fast-acting spray can help bring some immediate relief for your itchy dog.
C – Counteract flea bites
Flea The Scene is a safe 3-in-1 spray that is ideal for use on your dog, especially when outdoors. Its ingredients effectively help to ensure that fleas and other pests really do flee the scene, acting as a great complementary product alongside any pharmaceutical products that you might use in your fight against fleas.Remember too that the flea’s life cycle involves some time spent away from the dog’s body. So don’t forget to take the necessary precautions to treat his environment in the home as well! You could also try the Dirty & Harry trio of products. These products are formulated with citronella which fleas and other insects hate. But unlike other citronella based formulas, these products actually smell good!
Although fleas are a very common type of pest that you can’t prevent your pet being exposed to, you can, however, take some easy steps to alleviate the problems that they pose to him. If your dog is unlucky enough to be prone to FAD, it is important to remember that flea-control therapy alone will not be enough to combat this problem. This allergy causes additional self-inflicted trauma that can lead to increased redness, hair loss, damaged skin and secondary bacterial infection. So if you hope to effectively manage FAD in your dog, don’t forget your ABCs!
Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles
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by Dr Nicola Parry, DVM
Start From Scratch!
Fleas are no longer just a problem in the warmer months – our central heating now means that “flea season” lasts all year round. Thankfully though, you can take action and get ahead in this battle.
2 Simple Ways To Recognize That Your Dog Has Fleas:
A couple of things, however, that might alert you to a current problem:
This might sound obvious, but frequent scratching tends to indicate a flea infestation, whether or not you see fleas.
Adult fleas may be hard to find, but you can usually find other evidence of their work! “Flea dirt” is actually the flea’s fecal material – digested blood deposited after feasting on your pet! Just brush back the hair to investigate, and look for the classic pinpoint dark specks on the skin. I always enjoy confirming my suspicions by transferring these to a white tissue, adding a drop of water and watching it turn red-brown!
Breaking The Cycle
Knowing the life cycle of the flea will help you understand how to attack the problem. Fleas love warm, moist environments, and will live on the dog and feed on its blood. The females lay eggs on the dog’s skin, and these can fall off onto the carpet, bed, your clothes, the floorboards, and anywhere else that the dog goes. Later, eggs develop through larval and pupal stages into a new generation of adult fleas.
So now you begin to see that it is not just your dog that needs to be treated, since most of the flea’s life cycle can be spent away from the dog.
Your 2-Sided Attack
Your plan of attack needs to be aimed not only at your dog, but also his environment. Here are some tips to help you prepare your battle plan:
4 Ways To Treat Your Dog
A hair cut if necessary!
Bathing
Flea control products
Daily brushing
4 Ways To Treat The Environment
Vacuuming daily
Then get rid of the vacuum bag to prevent flea reemergence!
Treat other pets
If your dog has buddies at home, make sure they too are treated. And not just dogs either – cats, rabbits, and hedgehogs for instance, can also be infested and may contribute to the cycle.
In reality, all dogs will have fleas, so it’s always wise to follow these steps regardless. Flea control should never be considered a onetime deal – it requires constant vigilance. But although we will never be flea-free, the good news is that we can definitely take steps to break this vicious cycle. These efforts will go a long way toward improving your dog’s health as well as your sanity!
Nicola Parry is a veterinarian at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is ACVP board-certified and her career has taken her along various paths, including general practice and academia. She enjoys teaching veterinary pathology, as well as writing for the veterinary, medical and scientific worlds. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her oddball cat, Tiddles
]]>Many pharmaceutical pesticides are available to protect our dogs from fleas and ticks, including over the counter products as well as those from your veterinarian. These options, however, aren’t for everyone.
Would you prefer to take a more natural approach to pest control? Then read on for some tips on how to do this without the use of pharmaceuticals!
The 2-Pronged Attack
Since much of the life cycle of the flea is spent away from the animal, it’s not enough to just treat your dog – you have to treat his environment at home too. And don’t forget to treat any other pets you might have – like cats or rabbits.
4 Ways To Treat Your Dog Naturally
Spray products
Some essential oils are helpful – add a couple of drops to the neck and tail base
4 Ways To Treat Your Home Naturally
1. Vacuum regularly
Carpets, furniture and bedding
2.Washing
Dog bedding, your bedding, and any removable furniture covers
3. Borate crystals
Sprinkle this powder on carpets, floors and upholstery
4. Cedar wood chips
Place these around your pet’s bed to help deter fleas and ticks. They have the added bonus of smelling good too!
Natural alternatives for flea and tick control are chosen by many dog owners who wish to avoid the conventional medications. Regardless though, remember that no single method is effective on its own – multiple products should be implemented together. Using the combination of “Dirty and Hairy, Protect” shampoo and conditioner, along with “Flea The Scene” spray, for instance, can be very effective when fighting the war against these pests. And don’t forget to treat your home too!
]]>Photo by Pawprince Studios
You probably already know that dog’s don’t sweat in the same way humans do, the main way they regulate their temperature is by panting and this system works quite effectively until the thermometer starts to climb into the 90s. When high temperatures are combined with high humidity it can be doubly dangerous as this reduces the level of evaporation that keeps your dog cool. The combination of heat and humidity is referred to as the heat index; a temperature of 90 degrees coupled with 70 percent humidity creates a heat index of 105 degrees, a very uncomfortable situation for both you and your dog.
Bathing your dog is a great summertime cool off
Your dog’s body temperature is higher than yours (usually between 100 and 102.5 degrees) but when body temperature climbs above 106 the normal cooling mechanisms become overwhelmed. Like humans, dogs can suffer from heat stroke, heat exhaustion and cramps all of which can be life threatening if not treated immediately.
High risk groups
• Puppies
• Older dogs (7 years and older for large breeds 14 years and older for smaller breeds)
• Overweight dogs
• Brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs such as bulldogs or pugs
• Large double-coated breeds like the chow chow
• Dogs bred for cold climates such as malamutes, huskies, American Eskimos and Newfoundlands
Sunburn
Most people think that because their dog is covered in fur sunburn is not an issue, this is not true, Dogs do not burn as easily as humans do which is a good thing however this means that if your dog does have a sunburn it is no small thing and you should take him to the vet immediately. You will know when your dog is starting to burn by the redness of the skin however the burn does not always appear red and may in fact turn the skin lighter. You can prevent sunburn by limiting your dog’s exposure to the sun, especially during the heat of the day but an even better way is by spraying with Flea the Scene an all natural insect spray which contains a natural sunscreen.
An ounce of prevention:
• Keep your dog inside in a cool, well ventilated area
• Exercise early in the morning or later at night when it’s cool
• Never leave your dog in the car ! Hundreds of dogs die every year in this country because there owners were only going to be gone for a moment
• If your dog is walking on hot concrete help heal cracked paws (and noses) with bowWow Butter balm a shea butter based balm that will soothe and protect.
• Make sure you provide plenty of water, an ice cube will not only help your dog keep cool but can be a source of amusement for you; just put one on a wooden floor in front of your dog and enjoy the fun
• Baby pools are a great way to help your dog cool off
With a little forthought and planning summer can be the best time to own a dog, just remember no matter how hot it may be outside your best friend always wears a fur coat.
By far, the most common cause of skin allergies and itching in dogs is fleas. These tiny insects survive on a diet of fresh blood, and their bite will make your dog nibble and scratch at his skin to try and ease the irritation. They’re not fussy; if there are a lot of fleas around, you’ll find they’re quite happy to feast on your blood, and you’ll start scratching too.
Although most dogs are bothered to some extent by fleas, some are actually allergic to them. When a flea bites, it injects saliva into your dog, and it is this saliva that causes a severe reaction in sensitive dogs.
Skin changes asssociated with flea allergy typically appears on your dog’s rump, along the top of his tail and down his hind legs. His skin will be red, and his scratching can actually break the skin, leading to infection and open sores. The infection is also itchy, and so the scratching continues.
Treating flea allergy takes effort.
Firstly, you need to treat the inflammation and infection in your dog’s skin. If his skin is particularly bad, you’ll need to visit your veterinarian. She will prescribe anti-itch medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to stop his scratching, and antibiotics if secondary bacterial infection is present.
Choose a shampoo carefully, as the wrong product has the potential to make his skin feel worse. Comfy Dog shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal which has been approved by the FDA to relieve itchiness, and its gentle formulation won’t dry out or irritate his sensitive skin. After rinsing, follow up with Fur Butter conditioning treatment, which also contains oatmeal, as well as shea butter and all natural herbal extracts. His coat will feel soft and shiny, and smell great!
The second part of controlling flea allergy is to keep your dog flea free. Even though you don’t see fleas on his skin, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. It doesn’t take many fleas to make an allergic dog itch.
Although you can use flea shampoos, they aren’t the best option for flea control. With sensitive skin, it’s better to use a soothing shampoo such as Comfy Dog to keep your dog’s skin in good condition, and rely on other methods for flea control.
There are a variety of products that are available for flea control, from monthly tablets to products that are applied to your dog’s skin once a month. Flea the Scene is an important part of any flea control regime. Peppermint oil and tea tree oil are effective natural insect repellents, and it is safe and gentle enough to use frequently on traumatized skin.
Keep in mind that the fleas you find on your dog’s body are only a tiny part of your problem. The majority of your fleas can be found in your environment, in the form of eggs, pupae and larvae. To get the most effect out of any flea control program for your dog, you must stop fleas from breeding, and prevent these immature fleas growing into adults.
One option is to give your dog a tablet once a month which contains an insect growth regulator. This will break the flea lifecycle by interfering with its development within the egg and preventing eggs from developing into adult fleas. Another option is to use a chemical spray in your home or yard which contains a similar insect growth regulator.
If your dog has an allergy to fleas, you can’t be complacent. Keep him flea free with Flea the Scene, and control his itch with Comfy Dog shampoo and Fur Butter, and you’ll help to prevent him developing red, itchy infected skin. He’ll be a much happier dog.
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Flea Control in the News
What’s a dog to do? The itching . The misery. The fleas! But there are so many options. Your dog can’t really tell you which one he prefers. How can you safely fight fleas?
Pyrethrins not so safe
The Environmental Protection Agency is taking a close look at all kinds of flea and tick control products. The EPA has been reviewing the safety of pyrethroid-based flea products for some time. They ordered some of these products to be phased out and insisted on new labeling for other products. Pyrethrins are the active ingredient in many over-the-counter flea and tick products. They affect the nervous system of the pests on your dog. They may not be as safe as previously thought.
Taking another look
Now there is news that the EPA is also taking a new look at spot-on pesticide treatments, sprays, collars and shampoos. This includes Frontline, Frontline Plus, Advantage, Revolution and other popular topical treatments. Frontline contains fipronil; Advantage contains imidacloprid; and Revolution contains selamectin.
These products have been thought to be safer than the flea control products containing pyrethrins. Topical flea products are generally applied between the shoulders or along the back, in an area where the dog can’t reach to lick the product off. These products are also either absorbed into the skin or into the hair follicles. Again, this means that the dog can’t lick the product off. The active ingredient continues to work for several weeks.
The new EPA notice indicated that they had seen a “recent sharp increase” in reported adverse reactions. Some of the reactions were mild skin irritations but there were also reports of seizures and deaths. One expert indicated that the EPA may be most concerned about less expensive topical flea treatments sold over-the-counter in retail stores and not with products such as Frontline and Advantage, which are usually sold through veterinarians.
This doesn’t mean that you should stop using Frontline and Advantage. If you live in an area where fleas are a serious problem you have to weigh the pros and cons of the various flea treatments, or of letting your dog go untreated for fleas. The chances of your dog having an adverse reaction to a topical flea treatment, especially Frontline, Advantage or another product sold by your vet, are still very small.
All-natural alternatives
If you live in an area where fleas aren’t bad you may want to try an all-natural approach to flea prevention. Try some of these alternatives:
If you live in an area where fleas are bad each year you don’t have to give up using Frontline or Advantage. The EPA has not said that they are dangerous to use. But it never hurts to look for natural solutions when they will work instead.
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