Naturally Healthy Dogs
Flea and Tick Control

April, 2012

Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter, Naturally Healthy Dogs!

If you find this newsletter useful, please do a friend and us a big favor and "pay it forward." Forward this issue to all the dog lovers you know. Dogs everywhere will thank you for it!

If a friend passed this issue along to you, and you would like to subscribe, please visit click on the "Subscribe" link above.

In this issue:

• Flea and Tick Control
• Product Pick - Milk Thistle
• Recipe - Livertaters

Spring here in Japan is beautiful. Cherry blossoms are everywhere and many dog parents enjoy taking their dogs' pictures with cherry blossoms in the background!

However, with Spring also comes pests! Yes - It's the beginning of the flea and tick (and mosquito) season again!

If you are still using one of those chemical "spot-on" flea/tick products on your dog, read this and understand the danger:

In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an advisory on the danger of "spot-on" flea/tick products for pets.

According to the EPA, there has been a significant jump (from 28,000 in 2007 to 44,000 in 2008) in reports on adverse reactions (ranging from mild skin irritation to seizures and death) after the use of spot-on products on dogs in the USA.

In 2010, the EPA issued a report on a year-long study on the adverse effects of spot-on products on pets. These are some of the findings in the report:

• Dogs weighing between 10 and 20 pounds were most susceptible to adverse reactions.
• Age-wise, most incidents occurred in dogs under three years old, most of whom had their first exposure to a spot-on product.
• Reactions in mixed breed dogs were most commonly reported; however, the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Bichon Frise were also at high risk.
• Products containing cyphenothrin and permethrin were especially problematic for small breed dogs.
• Adverse reactions were primarily skin, GI tract and nervous system related. Skin reactions included redness, itching, hair loss, sores and ulcers. GI symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and salivation. Nervous system symptoms included lethargy, nervousness, tremors and seizure.

Pretty scary stuff...

Natural Flea and Tick Control

There are a lot of natural alternative choices for flea/tick prevention.

First and foremost, understand that these pests (and other parasites) usually feed first on unhealthy animals. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to strengthen the immune system of our dogs, which will make them naturally more resilient and less attractive to parasites. Then there are a host of natural remedies and products, from essential oils to diatomaceous earth to herbs, that are effective in flea and tick control.

Tips for Reducing the Risk of Using "Spot-on" Products

If you must use a chemical "spot-on" pest control on your dog, at least take the following precautions:

• Follow the dosing directions on the label. Be extremely cautious with small dogs, especially if you own one of the breeds reported to be at high risk for adverse reactions.
• Try to rotate natural preventives with chemical ones. An every-other-month rotation may work just as well.
• Monitor your dog for adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time. Keep an eye out for symptoms mentioned above.
• Even though "spot-on" products are put on your dog's skin, inevitably some chemicals will get in your dog (by absorption through the skin or ingestion during grooming). As a result, your dog's liver will be working extra hard to process the chemicals that make it into the bloodstream. It can be very beneficial, therefore, to give your dog the herb milk thistle to help detoxify her liver.

This milk thistle herbal tincture is glycerine-based (not alcohol based) so it is safe and easy to administer to dogs. Canine Milk Thistle is essential not only for dogs with liver disease, but also for dogs on medication such as chemical tick/flea preventives, heartworm preventive, steroids, etc.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound liver
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ¼ cups potato flakes
• Beef or chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Cut liver into approximately 1-inch pieces.
3. Place the liver pieces, egg, garlic powder and potato flakes in food processor.
4. Pulse ingredients to combine.
5. Add as much broth as needed to make the mixture spreadable (the consistency will be very thick).
6. Spread mixture into a greased 13 x 9 pan.
7. Bake for 25 minutes; cool on wire rack for 5 minutes.
8. Loosen sides with a knife, turn pan over and empty mixture onto wire rack.
9. Cool completely before slicing.
10. Place slices in airtight container and refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.