Tick Season and Grooming

[Marlie]

I have my first beardie puppy and I'm already worried about the upcoming spring. We live in an area with a large tick population. Is there anyway to keep beardies free of ticks? Our previous dog was not a long-haired dog, but he didn't have short hair either, and Frontline didn't seem to help at all. Suzanne mentioned in her last post that she bathes her dog ever two weeks with JDS insecticidal or Dezynadogs norishing shampoo. Does insecticidal shampoo, if used frequently, keep them free of ticks? Which ones work? Which ones don't? How often do they need to be used? Has anybody had any success with natural remedies to repel them? Thanks very much in advance.

[Suzanne Morrison]

Hello Marlie,

I dont bath the girls every 2 weeks only when they are smelly! My girls get four seasons antiparasitic which is a herbal/homeopathic remedy. I put it on their food once a week. It works on fleas,ticks and worms. I think Stewart also does a tick preparation.

Suzanne

PS My girls are in the van with me all day and I often get flea ridden dogs in - I rarely find fleas on them. (Mischief sleeps under the grooming table)

[Marlie]

Hi Suzanne, Can you give me information about this four seasons antiparasitic? I tried to find it online but had no luck.

Has anybody had experience with garlic pills made for dogs to repell ticks? I heard of one type (Bug Off Garlic) that was said to be safe for dogs and effective. Any personal experience?

Thanks!

[Priscilla Potter]

I use Frontline Plus -- I have two beardies in a tick infected area and neither of them have ever had a tick on them. Some breeders are opposed to this tx but I have not found it to be an issue at all. Check with your vet.

[twenty]

We use Advantix twice a year (early spring and late summer) and so far we've found only two dead ticks...

[Priscilla Potter]

I use Frontline Plus and always have -- I only use it during the summer months when there is a risk in this area. Absolutely no adverse effects -- it's a little expensive, but worth it and takes the worry away. The vet recommends monthly treatment, but I use it every 6-8 weeks. Hope this helps. P. S. Started them on it as puppy -- medications is dispensed according to the weith of the dog or in this case, puppy.

[Christine Stafford]

I use Frontline plus also, about every 6-8 wks in the summer months, and not until i find a flea on them, so that way they get a break, But cos the girl goes Hydro, the chlorine kills them anyway!!But cos i have 2 Beardies, they both get done, and i wouldnt use anything else but Frontline Plus, available online from Discountvetsupplies.co.uk !!!!

[Rita Miller]

Marlie I am new to this forum, actually found site yesterday, I had my girl for almost nine years, her name was Pearl and loved dearly. We live in West Virginia and also have a tick population, My girl has been sick ever since I found her. Yes she was a stray but everyone who saw her said she was a beardie. Ohio State Vet School when check for hip dysphlagia said if not full she was 99.9%. My Pearl died on Sunday, August 9, 2009. She was bit by a tick and developed babesia organism.. My little girl had liver disease for years so I was so careful of using or giving anything that was not needed so I neglected using her frontline thinking I was protecting her. She was checked regular for ticks. So please everyone who has an animal don't pay the price I am paying, check and protect you babies. Again at this time my husband and I are devaistated she was a big part of our life.

[Tamara Gonzalez]

Hi Marlie,

I used to use Frontline on my beardies, but after a number of years it didn't work as good anymore as in the beginning. My vet told me she had heard that comment more often and suggested a different tic/flea treatment. I now use Prac-tic (from Novartis). It works really well! Two capsules a year per dog: no tics and no fleas!

All the best

Tamara