Hi All!

I currently live in a place where there is no reason to use flea/tick/heartworm products and thus have never had to use them for my dogs. It is too cold here for anything to live throughout the year and the ticks are only carried by Moose/Elk etc, so it is very rare to find them on a dog, unless you are working in the bush near where the herds travel and/or migrate through.

However, next year I am travelling with two Shepherds and a Pom to Hungary for a month. I have been advised that they do have these "pests" and I would like to dose my dogs with "something" so I do not have to worry while we are there. Just one "monthly" dose should do, right? Would a topical or Oral product be best?

Anyone got any suggestions?

I am very much pro limited vacs, I have only ever done puppy shots and Rabies IF I have to cross the border, so I want to make sure that I choose the product with the least amount of adverse reactions possible. Both Shepherds are working/sport dogs and will be used for breeding in the future so I am being very careful with how they are being fed/cared for etc. The Pom is a conformation prospect, that may be used for breeding as well.

Not that being intact is going to make them more or less likely to suffer an adverse reaction, I just want to make it clear that I am uncomfortable using any sort of chemicals on my dogs, but realize that it may be better for them if I did in this situation.



Anyone willing to chime in on experience, opinion etc?

You don't need to use chemicals on your dogs. You can use several on-the-market organic and/or 'all natural' essential oils products that you would apply maybe every other day for the duration of your time in Hungary. You can also just flea comb and bathe your dogs, and remove ticks by hand.

HW would be my top concern (after rabies, of course) in locales that have HW, which unfortunately Hungary does.

I'd probably discuss HW with the vet. It may be true (I don't know) that following a one-month trip with an immediate blood test is a way to go.


ETA
I'm thinking that rabies might not be the only vax required, BTW. Have you had a chance to check yet?

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=103034

http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/hungary.cfm

Thanks for the links Connie!

I have an appointment with the vet, but because we don't have HW here, I am going to have to special order the preventative.

Which one do people recommend?

Also, I do want to use a topical/oral flea/tick repellent, as I will not have a lot of time to check dogs daily for parasites.

We are taking a 3 week INTENSIVE camp/workshop to earn our certification as FCI Dog Trainers/Instructors. We will be on the field learning, working, attending lectures for 10-12 hours a day. I need to be able to focus on the training and not worry about my dogs going into the woods to pee and coming out with ticks all over them, then having to take them all off. My preference would of course be to go all-natural, but I understand that in the spirit of keeping it as simple as possible that most likely will not be an option.

I use frontline plus & Interceptor or Heartguard plus year around where I am in So West, CT. The ground zero spot for Lyme disease,the spot it was first reported & named.

But when I plan on taking my dogs where the tick pupulation if high ( deep wooded areas, tracking hi higher grass open grass fields etc) I use a topical spray product that works very well for discouraging feas & ticks. It is called Quantum Herbal Products Coat Conditioner & 100% Nautral Flea & Tick Spray. I have used it for almost 9 years. Spray it on allover & rub into the dog's coat. I get it from a local holistic vet but it is available for purchase online. It is pricey, but works very well.

Here is a linc to the Quantum product:

http://www.quantumherbalproducts.com/frame_guide.htm

" I do want to use a topical/oral flea/tick repellent, as I will not have a lot of time to check dogs daily for parasites. ..... My preference would of course be to go all-natural, but I understand that in the spirit of keeping it as simple as possible that most likely will not be an option."




http://www.ehow.com/list_6865827_flea-medications-safest-cats-dogs_.html




Quote from above link:
In general, flea and tick medications prescribed by your veterinarian are the safest and most effective. (This means, of course, of the chemical choices.)

This is more than supported by the EPA annual tallies of adverse events reported.

I do personally agree with the comment about the discount drugstore products (like Hartz, Sergeant's, etc.) because the serious adverse reaction records are so bad. I've gone into the EPA "reported incidents" (adverse events reports) online tallies, and Sergeants topped the list (by far). Sergeant's had three times as many as anyone else, followed by Hartz.

Advantage and Frontline were at the bottom of the list for number of adverse events. Again, this does not mean they are without risk ..... not at all ..... but it does mean that they have far better records.

I use Frontline Plus.

For HW, I use Heartgard. But this is something to talk over with your vet, way in advance. (For one thing, you need a blood test done before you start using it.)

All JMO! I'm not a health professional.

Thanks Connie and Anne! This is the information I was definitely looking for. Realistically, if Frontline and Heartguard are what you guys are using, I will take that as an awesome referral and ask my vet about them too!


Anne, thanks for the tip on the Quantum products! I will definitely be checking those out too!

Thanks again everyone!

 Quote: Niomi Smith

Thanks Connie and Anne! This is the information I was definitely looking for. Realistically, if Frontline and Heartguard are what you guys are using, I will take that as an awesome referral and ask my vet about them too!


Anne, thanks for the tip on the Quantum products! I will definitely be checking those out too!

Thanks again everyone!

" ..... I will take that as an awesome referral ..."


I wouldn't don't want you to. I use them because I've carefully weighed the risks of the chemicals versus the parasites and I came down on the side of the chemicals, and these chemicals beat out others' safety records when I researched.

I know what you mean, and thank you ( ) , but I want to be really clear about the fact that there are risks either way.