Fleas, Ticks, and Insect Pests 
Fleas, Ticks, and Insect Pests Even though flea allergies are the most common allergies, holistic veterinarians often comment that healthy animals are less likely to be “flea magnets.” The key to resistance, they emphasize, is feeding a superior diet.
As William Pollak, DVM, says: “The best flea control is a vital animal that radiates health and fitness, an animal consuming fresh, wholesome food and living in a good, natural balance with its environment. The presence of fleas is an indication that you need to create greater life energy in your pet.”
Florida, with its heat, moisture, and sandy soil, is a paradise for fleas. Yet Florida veterinarian Joseph Demers, DVM, says that dogs who are healthy just don’t attract the fleas, or if they do, it is minimal. The same holds true with the wild animals who are brought in. The weak ones are full of fleas, ticks, and parasites, he says. The stronger ones are much less affected.
I have spoken to both holistic and conventional veterinarians about Advantage and similar products. The consensus is that these are relatively safe and a vast improvement over the older generation of products derived from nerve gas (organic phosphate poisons) that had overt, proven negative health effects.
My advice is to use natural approaches first, and if they work, fine. But if you have a continuing problem, use Advantage, which appears to be the best of these products according to my research. However, it is not for every animal. If your animal is older, debilitated, or bat-ding an acute or chronic disease, such as cancer, don’t use it.
With any chemically based product, there may be some side effects in a small number of cases. A local, transient rash or irritation is the most common. Rarely, an animal might go off feed, vomit, or show increased thirst, urination, or diarrhea. If these signs occur, stop using the product and consult your veterinarian at once.
First, though, give natural methods a fair chance. I recommend Internal Powder, available through Earth Animal at 800-711-2292. This product is a formula I developed nearly twenty years ago that contains unprocessed brewer’s yeast and mineral-rich ingredients. Follow the label instructions. It can be mixed with yogurt and then blended into your dog’s food. You can safely double the dose on the label to gear up for flea season.
Garlic is another useful flea deterrent, as well as an all-around immune system and cardiovascular “tonic.” If you don’t like the odor it produces, add some chopped parsley.
To boost the natural program from the outside, I am a longtime fan of a product called 100% Natural Flea and Tick Repellent, made by Quantum Herbal Products and available through the manufacturer (800-348-0398) or Earth Animal.
I also recommend Cloud Nine Herbal Dip by Halo (800-426-4256). It is safe and easy to use and contains powerful aromatic herbs (pine needle, peppermint, tea tree oil, rosemary, sage, and eucalyptus) that will last a good month on your animal’s body. It can be used as a dip or spray or added for antiflea power to your favorite shampoo.
If your animal is still plagued by fleas after using these kinds of natural approaches, I suggest turning to Advantage. Use it only as often as necessary. Many of my clients stretch the dose to every six weeks and find no falloff in effectiveness.
Over the years I haven’t found that natural products work well in the face of a severe flea problem. I have a huge number of satisfied clients using Advantage, Program, or Frontline, the new pharmaceutical antiflea medications. Many of these pet owners previously tried natural products and suffered through the constant warfare. The new products appear safe and effective. I have encountered only one animal who had a skin reaction.
I don’t push the pharmaceutical products because I don’t think they are necessary in most cases. I suggest waiting until there is a problem before starting them. If a problem develops, first try brewer’s yeast, which works for some animals, or garlic, or some other natural flea control product available at pet and health food stores.
One case where I found the pharmaceutical approach necessary involved a Golden Retriever with a chronic, unremitting, severe flea allergy. He was ultrasensitive to fleas. After one or two bites, he itched for days. We tried all the natural weapons at my disposal on this dog. Frontline came along, and we started him on that. Within two weeks he was no longer scratching. Within a month the sores disappeared and the dog had a flea-free summer and a good coat for the first time in five years. Sure, it may be more toxic, but I had a happy dog and a happy owner.
Frontline and Advantage kill the fleas on the animal. Program sterilizes the fleas. If you have an animal sensitive to flea bites, Program won’t provide immediate relief because the fleas are still aboard. Eventually it will help, since you won’t have hatching eggs to renew the cycle, and the number of symptom-producing flea bites will be significantly reduced. However, if the animal ranges over any territory of consequence where it can attract a new crop of fleas, then Program is virtually useless.
As for collars, herbal or otherwise, they aren’t effective in my experience. Don’t forget regular combing of the hair coat. The flea comb is the most important thing an owner can use to determine whether the flea battle is being won or lost.
A combination of brewer’s yeast and garlic may be helpful, as long as the animal isn’t sensitive to the yeast. If scratching intensifies after you start brewer’s yeast, then you know it’s not the right thing for your pet.
You can help control fleas inside your house by using boric acid products on your carpets and floors and outside with nematodes and diatomaceous earth. These products are widely available in health food and pet stores. Follow label instructions.
Make it your routine to regularly bathe, brush, and comb your animal. If your animal is healthy, these simple measures can go a long way to minimize the presence of fleas.
For flea and other insect bites, the homeopathic remedies Apis mellifica and Rhus tox often provide relief within twenty-four hours from the usual scratching.
Apis mellifica 6C: Give up to five times daily if there is a raised red bump at the site of the bite.
Rhus tox 6C: Give up to five times daily if there is less sign of inflammation.
For situations where your animal is bothered by a few fleas and there is no major infestation, and you don’t want to use a poison, try Flee Free, a liquid flower essence remedy from Molly Sheehan’s Green Hope Farms (603-469-3662). You can use it as a spray or give directly to the animal.
Follow label instructions.
If you need to resort to a dip, I have found an excellent nontoxic product that works well for virtually all patients, whether they are very young or very old. It is called LymDyp S and is a ready-to-use solution of sulfurated lime that leaves a nice scent on the animal. It is available through DVM Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (305-575-6200), but needs to be ordered for you by your veterinarian.
Follow label instructions.
The homeopathic remedy Ledum works well for puncture wounds and in particular to counteract tick-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease.
Use Ledum if you see any swelling or sensitivity at the site where a tick has been removed. Most of the time there is no reaction. However, if you live in an area where there is a known prevalence of tick disease, Ledum is an effective preventive measure that can be used during the height of the tick season.
Give Ledum 30C once after removal of tick. For general prevention, give every five to seven days during tick season.
Spider bites usually produce a local hard swelling without heat. If you suspect a bite of this nature, Ledum is a good remedy.
Ledum 30C twice daily for two or three days or until the swelling disappears.
I have seen more dogs develop the fever and arthritic symptoms of Lyme disease after being vaccinated for the disease rather than after being bitten by a tick. I have treated many animals who have become lame after vaccination—some within a matter of days, others in two months or more. Some medical experts have mentioned the connection between the vaccine and symptoms.
The homeopathic remedy Ledum is excellent for any kind of puncture wound in general, and for Lyme disease in particular, it is one of the best natural medicines available. A tick bite is like a puncture wound. If your animal gets a tick, remove the insect and then use the Ledum.
Echinacea is also useful as a natural immune booster, and I recommend it for cases of tick bite. I prefer the capsule form, which is tasteless and can be mixed right into the food.
Ledum 30C: Once within twenty-four hours of removing the tick. If the tick is engorged with blood, this is an indication that the insect has been present longer. In such cases, give Ledum once a day for two days.
Echinacea: Dogs under twenty pounds, one-quarter the human dose; dog up to fifty pounds, one-half the human dose; dogs over fifty pounds, full human dose. Give for five days.
For insect bites and sudden swelling, the homeopathic remedy Apis is most effective. Apis is good for situations involving swelling. Many times you see the swelling go down after the first dose.
Apis 30C: Once may be enough, but the dose can be repeated as often as every ten minutes, for a total of four doses a day if needed.
These minuscule mites, normally present in the hair follicles of dogs, often multiply in young dogs with weak immunity or who are under considerable stress. The sign of mange is the development of skin irritation, sores and scratching, and hairless patches on the face, undersides, elbows, and paws. Often veterinarians see the problem in puppies after vaccination, spaying, and neutering.
I have used a three-part Ayurvedic herbal approach to this problem with excellent results. With only a few exceptions, this method eliminated the parasites within three to six weeks. The individual products—neem oil, ashwaganda, and triphala—are available through Ayush Herbs at 800-925-1371. Neem is well-known for its antiparasitic properties. Ashwaganda counteracts stress and enhances the immune system. Triphala is the classic Indian herbal formula to cleanse the intestinal tract.
Neem oil: If dog is chewing its paws because of mange, put 10 to 15 drops of oil in a basin of warm water. Soak paws twice a day for five to ten minutes each time. Afterward, gently rub oil into affected skin. If mange is present elsewhere on the body, use a washcloth that has been soaked in warm water to cleanse the affected area. Then gently rub oil into the skin morning and evening.
Caution: Do not use the oil around the eyes.
Ashwaganda: Dogs under twenty pounds, give 10 drops of liquid ashwaganda twice daily for each ten pounds of body weight; dogs up to thirty pounds, one 500-milligram capsule or tablet twice daily; dogs up to sixty pounds, 500 milligrams three times daily; larger dogs, 1,000 milligrams twice. Give after feeding.
Triphala: For store-bought triphala, available in powder or capsules, calculate dosage according to dog’s size compared with a human’s. For triphala supplement from Ayush Herbs, give dogs up to thirty pounds 1/2 to 1 tablet twice daily; dogs up to sixty pounds, 1 tablet twice daily; larger dogs, 1 1/2 tablets twice daily.
I recommend a broadside of reliable supplements along with a homeopathic approach, depending on the individual animal. Some of the products that help fortify the immune system and give relief include colloidal silver drops, vitamin E, or aloe vera applied directly on the sores. These products are available in health food stores.
Animals with mange frequently have a marginally functioning thyroid gland. For such cases, kelp is useful to stimulate the gland, which governs the skin. An excellent kelp product is Sea Meal, made by Solid Gold (1-800-DOG-HUND). Follow label instructions.