Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Flea,Tic, and Heartworm Preventatives

Flea,Tic, and Heartworm Preventatives

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • A

    I’d like to switch from prescription medication (Interceptor and Bravecto) to natural homemade solutions. Way too many listicles about ACV and oil/extract concoctions online though.
    Anyone here have experience with holistic alternatives? Preferably in the same general environment (greater NYC or tri-state area). Thanks!

    0
  • elbrantE

    No guarantees, but...

    Fleas & Ticks:

    • Cedar is a natural repellent for fleas: Scatter cedar shavings inside the "dog house" if you have one. Or, fill a dog bed with them. The kind they sell in the pet stores work fine.

    • Flea & Tick Spray: Combine ingredients in a spray bottle: 1/4 C Witch Hazel, 1/4 C Aloe Vera Juice, 10 drops of Lavender and Lemon Oils, 20 drops Cedar Oil. Do not spray this on the dogs face, avoid getting it into their eyes.

    • Homemade Flea Bath: Mix 1/4 C White Vinegar, 1/4 C Dawn Dish soap, and 1/2 C water. Lather up dog with solution (avoid face, eyes, ears, mouth, nose). Wait 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Dry pup well.

    Heart worms:
    Heart worms are passed to the dog by mosquitoes who have bitten an infected dog. This concern is less prevalent in NY than in other eastern locations. It may be a concern if you are traveling south during the summer months. Mosquitoes require a mere tablespoon of water to breed, but the cold winter months tends to kill off the mosquito population. I do not know of anything that would be effective in preventing mosquitoes from biting an animal. Being a coastal NC resident, I swear by Avon's Skin So Soft spray. I do not know if this is safe to use on an animal.

    elbrant.net

    3
  • A

    Very belated thanks for these. Your spray formula works well in wooded areas from Westchester County up through the Hudson Valley area.

    1
  • tanzaT

    I would never take a chance with heart worm... I use NuHeart that is just for heart worm... small pill once a month... we do not have issues with heart worm in NoCal but I do not take a chance. I use it year round. In the area that there is frost/frozen for the winter you can use it just in the spring/summer/fall months.
    For fleas/ticks I use frontline but only when I see fleas... again in NoCal not too much of an issue.. I need to use it maybe about twice a year and only when need or if I am traveling with the pups.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    2

Suggested Topics

  • C

    Lots of spots...

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    1 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    helle deviH
    @coloradocolby Yes, freckles. If ever my girl has to be shaved, she'd be like a pink spotted lil' piggie :hugging_face: !!!
  • KipawaK

    Flea treatment

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    P
    I rarely have flea problems with my Basenjis -they have garlic regularly which I think may be the reason. They are around all sorts of wild animals so must be in contact with fleas at some point.
  • lvossL

    This Was All Preventable

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    61
    0 Votes
    61 Posts
    17k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    Thanks to all who have put questions and answers forward. I'm kind of glad I pushed the issue, I have learned much more about the syndrome from the people who actually have the experience. As Jason stated, there are a lot of questions that people have who have never had an afflicted dog. And as Andrea states, some do better on the protocol than others, while some have different organs affected over time. It's all a learning process for us. And, it opens our eyes to some of the more difficult aspects of Fanconi. This is the part of the education that I wanted-some real discussion on living with them. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but I really want to know. I guess I have an enquiring mind and feel a need to understand.
  • nobarkusN

    Flea control

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    3k Views
    nobarkusN
    @MacPack: We are in Florida and some years fleas are terrible in the summer. We use either Advantage or Frontline when we start to see a few fleas, and re-apply when we start to see fleas again, usually about every 6 weeks through the summer and fall. I have used it on an 18 year old with no problems. I feel that the problems fleas can cause outweigh the occasional use of a fairly benign chemical, and certainly keep the dogs more comfortable! If we lived where fleas were not a big problem, I would try some of the more natural remedies. Anne in Tampa You have an 18 year old? Wow how is he or she doing? I had a Tri color many years ago live to be 17-1/2.
  • lwicksL

    Heartworm medicine

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    lvossL
    @Ninabeana26: I use Sentinel for Dallas' heartworm meds & I give it monthly. He has only had 2 months so far but I have never noticed anything funny after giving it to him. I just place it in with his evening kibble & he's been fine every time. Sentinel is actually two medications in one. It has the active ingredient for Interceptor and the active ingredient for Program. It is supposed to protect against heartworms and fleas. If you are still having problems with fleas, I would seriously consider changing to Interceptor only so you are not giving your dog an medication that is not working and then look for a more effective flea control.
  • M

    Heartworm and flea prevention

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    DeeD
    I have used it for about 3 months now. Seems to be doing good so far. I was Leary at first, I'm so used to the oral heart worm preventive !! Doesn't seem like something that goes on the skin could work as well. My Vet says it's great and she has been using it and advantage on her dogs since it came out.