Skip to content

Flea and worm control

Basenji Health Issues & Questions

Suggested Topics

  • Allergy to flea or mite

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    RugosaR
    If you saw tapes, that is something that requires a specific med. My vet depends on me to see them because they do not show up on a fecal that shows the eggs of other worms. Tapes can come from ingesting a flea, and it's possible the shelter did not SEE the tapes, so didn't give med for it.
  • Heart worm protection

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Sadly the vets may simply not be that knowledgeable depending on their experiences and education if the products are not routinely used. To suggest not taking preventative measures appalls me. First, contact these folks. They have always been quick to respond to my questions and I am betting you they have resources to give you better research information and suggestions on whether products have actually been found resistant to flea/mosquitoes. They should also have advice on whether switching to the older daily meds provides more protection: http://www.heartwormsociety.org/ While it is true that fleas may become resistant to some meds, first you would need a long term high usage which, let's be real– Guyana doesn't come to mind. Second, back up flea protection with flea/tick combing as suggested. Before Frontline, I had to flea comb my chow so really, it's not that big of deal I seriously doubt that heartworms are becoming resistant to meds. And while they didn't say not to, again, if they suggest that, to become resistant, they would need to survive, propagate more resistant offspring, etc. With the massive use of the drug here in the USA, we haven't seen resistance. So at least you can feel sure you can protect them. Additionally, heartguard helps protect against OTHER worms too. http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Dirofilariasis/Prevention.htm In South America, success has already been demonstrated with the reduction of heartworm infections across many countries. This can be attributed to: Better control programs for mosquito populations, resulting in a decrease in vector populations. Effective chemoprophylaxis for heartworm to prevent increase in number of disease carriers. Reduction of disease carriers with injectable ivermectin to kill existing microfilariae in dog populations. Side effect reduction of reproductive capacity of worms from ehrlichiosis control with tetracyclines. What concerns me is the mosquito issue. Frankly, not much has ever been proven to help a lot. I don't know how other types of mosquito borne diseases are there. You can help with different products, and I have found that neem tree oil spray works marvelous on humans. But here is a rundown for people products. Sadly most are not recommended for dogs due to likelihood of ingesting them.: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in419 Neem: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/pesticide/hgic2770.html Neem is a relatively new and promising botanical insecticide made from extracts of Neem tree seeds. It is used to control a wide variety of insects including leafminers, whiteflies, thrips, caterpillars, aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale crawlers, and beetles. Neem is most effective against actively growing immature insects. Azadirachtin, the active ingredient in neem extracts, has a very low mammalian toxicity. It acts as an insect feeding deterrent and growth regulator. Neem does not produce a quick knockdown and kill, but stops insect feeding. The treated insect usually cannot molt into its next life stage and dies without reproducing. Many commercial neem products exist, including Azatin XL, Neemix, SouthernAg Triple Action Neem Oil and Safer BioNeem. These products are labeled for use on ornamentals, foliage plants, trees, shrubs and food crops. Many neem products and formulations are also effective as a fungicide against powdery mildew.
  • Fleas! Help!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    6k Views
    AJs HumanA
    @khanis: I have NEVER heard of these legendary fleas or mosquitos…. and I am a Portland native... and have NEVER had a flea issue with my basenjis [Whippet, IG, RR, Newfs, or cats]. Our home ranges from 3-6 basenjis on average and still no problem, even with dogs that come/go for showing or boarding. The only time I have treated them [my dogs] was prior to traveling to the midwest or east coasts. During the time I lived in Portland, which is at the very northern end of the Valley and has more wind than the lower Valley, I noticed a lot fewer fleas and 'skeeters. I can understand why you haven't experienced them. Try camping on the shores of Fern Ridge sometime. Make sure you take lots of DEET. I grew up there and, man, the 'skeeters are horrible!:eek: I can remember our dogs and cats had a rough time of it, too. We were always picking fleas off them. But that's the difference between living in the city and living in the back woods. The conditions in the lower Valley are perfect for the growth of fleas and mosquitos: standing water everywhere and very few hard freezes. (Gramma lives in the "sticks" too and has lots of both in her area outside Salem.) But, again, back to the subject, she used Brewer's Yeast and had pretty good results with it.
  • Flea treatment??

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    15k Views
    LindaHL
    In the 15 years that we had Maxx, we never used any kind of flea product…and he never had fleas. We haven't used anything on Gracie or Blaze, either, and neither of them have fleas. If we ever do see fleas, our first line of defense would be a natural product of some kind. Only if the natural products didn't work would I resort to chemicals. Of course, YMMV. Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats has information on natural flea products. I'm sure there are other books and/or websites that do, too…just do a Google search.
  • Worm problem and a few questions.

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    WBLW
    Thanks for the update, glad to hear things are going better. Tiggy lost two of his teeth today too, I think (for as much as he'll let me look, lol) he only has his top canines left.
  • Neutering and urinary control

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    I have never had a problem with boys after being neutered… but since it has only been a week and 1/2 could be that he is still healing.... But again, I have never had that problem. If it continues I would certainly talk to your Vet..,