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Tick prevention while hiking. The medications, they do nathing!
On our last camping trip,our pooch picked up 27 ticks in four days, plus another 4 I found in the tent and my sleeping bag. This was despite applying Advantage before we left, purchasing a flea collar and using flea spray before every hike. The first step when we would get back to camp became pulling the next wave of ticks off the dog :(
It's not a seasonal thing, either, (though perhaps it is regional to Norcal? I'm surprised that I have seen zero discussion of this online.) Earlier in the year (the only other hiking trip we've taken the dog on), she picked up 7 friends in a couple of hours.
So, tick medication works unless there are actually ticks around. So what are our options? At this point we aren't planning on taking the pooch hiking any more.
Would a hair cut of our spaniel mix be a good alternative? I'm thinking specifically of reducing her underside to about an 1". I see all sorts of hysteria surrounding doggie haircuts, which make it difficult to make a good decision.
Asked by
Guest 528117
on Jul 6th 2009
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in Flea & Tick Prevention
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- Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!
Answers
I'd consult several vets about this. I use Advantex on my dogs we hike everywhere and nary a tick in sight.
Kayak
answered on 7/6/09.
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I agree with Kayak, talk to the vet. Different dogs respond to different products differently. It doesn't sound like Advantage is the right product for your dog.
Aster
answered on 7/6/09.
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i don think you want anything to repel the ticks then they will get on you. Definately get your pet a lyme vaccine for lyme disease. frontline works great! get it from your vet! i used to work at a vets office and learned somethings about frontline, not only that but i use it on my dogs. It doesn't repel the ticks you will still find them on your pet but they ill be died it kills them, it takes the tick 24-48 hours to transmit the lyme disease. Frontline also works great for fleas!!
Potter
answered on 7/6/09.
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We live in a heavily wooded area and I swear by Frontline. We don't need to be on a hiking trip to get ticks. We just have to step out the front door. Once the Frontline gets on the dogs, ticks are no longer a concern. If we do find one, it is dead or dying. Bandit is often taken out into the deeper woods for a good run. Again no ticks because of the Frontline.
bandit
answered on 7/6/09.
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Hi - that is great you all go hiking! Good for you -
If you do need a hair cut go for a Puppy cut.
Nice and short!
We go with the all natural options for tics and fleas....
D.Earth powder will be wonderful for your dog and for the bedding in your tent and camp. The Human grade D.E is the one you need :
SEE here:
Supplements, D.E and Critter oil:
Natural Diatomaceous earth for tics-
en.allexperts.com
Miss Priss
answered on 7/7/09.
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