The dangers of chemical products


  • Apply diatomaceous earth outside on a day when there's no wind. Apply it sparingly and gently so as not to create a cloud of dust in the air.

  • Houston

    …and it only works while dry, not if put on damp soil or in water..or should I saw won't work as effectively. Like I said in earlier posts, my chickens don't have any mites or lice or fleas and I attribute that to the fact that I use DE constantly, and I use it in their feed and I have yet to have to use a "real" wormer..

    Make usre it is food grade diatomaceous earth as the pool grade is very toxic for this useage..


  • What about in the Only Natural Pet Store they have the following what do think about it?

    Sentry Natural Defense Flea & Tick Squeeze On
    Also have Brewer's Yeast and Garlic Tablets.
    Fleabusters RX for fleas plus.

    Rita Jean

  • Houston

    The Sentry one is the one with clove oil in it that made our miniture Schnauzer mix's eyes swell shut and boy let me tell you it is strong smelling, lovely if you like clove, cinnamon and lemon smell, kind of like a christmas candle. Ps. they do sell this at walmart and the various large pet stores as well.
    I have tried brewer's yeast and garlic on my westie, Bogus, and it basically just seasoned him just right for the fleas to enjoy his blood even more, i.e did nothing…but I haven't tried the fleabusters RX..i wil check it out, thanks for the idea.

    just looked on the website and it wouldn't work for us, we have no carpet..and no fleas inside yet..

  • Houston

    This sound like they might be worth a try..I like the reviews
    Grrr-Lick Garlic Snacks for Dogs also on the onlynaturalpet.com site..


  • We have to do something because we do get fleas. Usually really bad from June through Sept. If we have mild winter they are still bad.

    Rita Jean


  • @Rita:

    We have to do something because we do get fleas. Usually really bad from June through Sept. If we have mild winter they are still bad.

    Rita Jean

    While we do not have a big flea problem in No. Cal… only once in a while... I have tried every "natural" product made... with NO success... I would rather trust the use of Frontline or Advantage.... and still you need to use a flea comb... for those of you in areas with a big flea problem... I would opt for the above.. then trying the natural. Even as far as spraying your yard... for that you can try the natural products... I know that most times when we have a flea problem it is due to stray/feral cats in the yard.. and other critters.... and of course when we get days of really hot weather. Also important is to clean/vaccum rugs/funiture as that is where the eggs are dropped and laid.....


  • I do sweep my carpets and it is everyday but one that is Saturday. Try to sweep furniture off once a week. I did learn a long time ago lay white piece of paper on floor off to side if you have fleas they will get onto to it. Then you at least know if you have them in house.

    I was just worried about using any of flea stuff now. We are using Advantage had no problem (yet). Thank you for information.

    Rita Jean

  • Houston

    Well put Tanza.

    I want to use the natural product, they simply don't deliver..I do use the chemical stuff, and it works. I think the reason we have so many fleas here in Texas is because we never see a freeze here so the fleas never die off from year to year. My poor Westie, Bogus struggled for many years with fleas and once we realized his metabolism was high, the vet put him on Frontline and Program in conjunction, he finally could live a life with out his e-collar. He litterally had that collar on for three years off and on so much that most of our friends were shocked if he wasn't wearing it..he would chew himself down to his flesh,not superficial but pretty deap, but once we tried the chemical route he was Ok..and for me that is what makes me still give my dogs chemical stuff, it works and their quality of life is better..


  • I've used Advantage for years on my cats and dogs - my animals live long healthy lives and the use of the Advantage has never proved to be a problem - fleas, on the other hand, can cause real problems and the "natural" things I have tried from time to time on advice from others have never worked. With Advantage (don't know about Frontline), we've not had a problem with fleas on the animals or in the house, and in Florida, fleas are a huge issue.


  • I no longer use the spot-on products - the last time it "burned" off the hair where it was applied.
    Fleas are not as big a problem up here in the north unless Gossy catches a flea-infested rabbit or chipmunk or is exposed to feral cats (as at some friends) (in which case I give her a vinegar bath right away) .

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    A
    Although natural care products / removed URL / for dogs are generally safe, there are still potential risks and side effects to consider. Some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to certain natural ingredients, causing skin irritation or other adverse reactions. Additionally, natural products are not regulated the same way as prescription drugs, so it's important to research the product and manufacturer carefully to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Always follow the product instructions carefully, and start with a small amount to monitor potential reactions. Finally, consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new products, especially if your dog has a preexisting health condition or is taking other medications. Taking these precautions can help ensure the safety and effectiveness of natural care products for your furry friend.
  • FDA alert on tick/flea product

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    AntigoneA
    @debradownsouth I am on the list because the site allowed me to join by Identifying myself as a Vet Tech, which I was. I am just reporting what the Vets are saying about insecticides. Dogs and Cats can get Lymes Disease. Horses too can get it. In Horses it mimics EPM which is Horse Multiple Sclerosis. I will find the link to the site tomorrow and post it. DE has always given my Horses a clean Fecal exam. There is not enough of the DE to be a hazard when mixing it with Applesauce. Generally, the Veterinary Community dislikes Homeopathic Modalities but more and more Homeopathic Vets are joining the American Homeopathic Veterinarian Association. These Vets have the same training other Vets because the Homeopathic aspect can only be achieved by becoming a traditional Veterinarian first.
  • Flea Products

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    DebraDownSouthD
    I have used frontline and advantage for over 20 yrs without issue, but I do the spray on frontline, not the top spot. I have had maybe 10 fleas in 6 yrs at most so I rarely use anything most years. See a flea? I hit them with frontline. It has been 4 yrs but I just found a flea so I ordered a new bottle on line from amazon. I know many give monthly pills but I hate giving my dog internal meds for external issues. (Except capstar, which I do use if I pick up a rescue with fleas and give it an hour or 2 to do it's job before taking it into my house!) As for natural, people swear by them, but study after study after study finds they do very little. Fleas carry disease. Some of the store brands are worthless, others report major issues. If they only got them at kennel, then you might luck out with one treatment but probably you need one now, one in a month, one in 2 mos and that should clear it. Cedar is toxic and no longer recommended at all (though some put in center of bedding, cover with other material, which is probably safe). Frontline and Advantage are safe for older dogs, and they have proven low rates of any issues if used right. Additionally, they sterilze the fleas so they help stop the problem. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=545
  • Small Dog Vaccination Danger Alert

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    Kris_ChristineK
    Debra, I'm happy to send you a copy of the report if you e-mail me at ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com. Below is information I excerpted from the report: The quotes in red below are from the attached scientific report covering adverse events within 3 days of vaccination in dogs over the course of 2 years. Reports of dogs having vaccinal adverse reactions within the same time frame were not included if heartworm medication had been administered along with the vaccines. This study did not include adverse reactions such as development of fibrosarcomas and/or other conditions which take longer than 3 days to develop. Moore, George E. et als., Adverse events diagnosed within three days of Vaccine Administration in Dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol 227, No. 7, October 1, 2005 Animals—1,226,159 dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals. Results—4,678 adverse events (38.2/10,000 dogs vaccinated) were associated with administration of 3,439,576 doses of vaccine to 1,226,159 dogs. The VAAE rate decreased significantly as body weight increased. Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs and 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9 months old. The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased; each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs ≤ 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Young adult small-breed neutered dogs that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of a VAAE within 72 hours after vaccination. Records for dogs that received both an injectable heartworm preventive and a vaccine during the same office visit were not included in analyses. Population—In the 2-year study period, 4,531,837 vaccine doses were administered to 1,537,534 dogs at 360 veterinary hospitals. Among breeds with 5,000 or more dogs vaccinated, Dachshund, Pug, Boston Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, and Chihuahua breeds had the highest rates of VAAEs with 121.7, 93.0, 83.8, 76.4, and 76.1 adverse events/10,000 dogs vaccinated, respectively (Table 1). The VAAE rate for mixed-breed dogs was in the bottom quintile of all rates. The VAAE rates decreased significantly as body weight increased (P for trend < 0.001; Figure 1). For all vaccines or for rabies vaccine alone, the VAAE rate for 10.1- to 45.0-kg (22.2- to 99.0-lb) dogs was approximately half the rate for dogs that weighed 0 to 10.0 kg (0 to 22.0 lb; P < 0.001; Figure 2). For rabies vaccine administered alone, VAAE rates/10,000 dogs that weighed 0 to 10.0 kg, 10.1 to 45.0 kg, and > 45 kg were 32.1 (222/69,178), 15.3 (69/45,088), and 0.0 (0/1,966), respectively. The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccines administered per office visit increased (P for trend < 0.001). In all dogs, each additional vaccine administered per office visit increased the rate of a VAAE by 24.2%; the rate increase was significantly (P <0.001) greater in dogs that weighed 0 to 10.0 kg, compared with dogs that weighed 0.1 to 45.0 kg (27.3% vs 11.5%, respectively; Figure 4). The 3 dogs with recorded deaths each had received ≥ 4 vaccines at their last office visit. The lowest rate was observed with parenteral administration of Bordetella vaccine (15.4/10,000; 82 VAAEs/53,238 doses), and the highest rate was observed with Borrelia (Lyme disease) vaccine (43.7/10,000; 132 VAAEs/30,201 doses). The risk of a VAAE in this study population was inversely related to a dog’s weight. Factors known to cause vaccine reactions include the primary vaccine agent or antigen, adjuvants, preservatives, stabilizers, and residues from tissue cultures used in vaccine production. The overall formulation of various vaccine components (eg, antigen, adjuvants, and diluent) is proprietary information that was unavailable for analysis in our study; thus, the variation in VAAE rates among single-antigen vaccines may not be solely attributable to the primary vaccine antigen. … because of genetic heterogeneity, the relatively low VAAE rate observed in mixed-breed dogs suggests that laboratory safety trials that use such dogs may underestimate the VAAE rates that would occur in purebred dogs. This is important because purebred dogs comprise at least two thirds of the US dog population. The risk of allergic reaction has been reported to increase after the third or fourth injection of a vaccine (ie, a booster response). Neutering appeared to increase risk of a VAAE more than sex. Females mount stronger immune responses after vaccination or infection than males because of a dimorphic enhancing effect of estrogens and a protective effect of androgens. Below are links to excellent information on veterinary vaccines from authoritative sources: Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.puliclub.org/CHF/AKC2007Conf/What%20Everyone%20Needs%20to%20Know%20About%20Canine%20Vaccines.htm Age and Long-term Protective Immunity in Dogs and Cats, Dr. Ronald Schultz et als., Journal of Comparative Pathology January 2010 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WHW-4XVBB71-1&_user=10&_coverDate=01%2F31%2F2010&_rdoc=17&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236861%232010%23998579999.8998%231578454%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6861&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=24&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=fb57fe5e84a086c6b1fa65abea55dbd8 Genetically Engineered and Modified Live Virus Vaccines;Public Health and Animal Welfare Concerns by Michael W. Fox BVetMed,PhD,DSc.MRCVS http://www.twobitdog.com/drfox/specialreport_Article.aspx?ID=273f53f4-bcdc-474f-a189-cca1d1a81c38 Vaccination: An Overview Dr. Melissa Kennedy, DVM360 http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=568351 World Small Animal Veterinay Association's 2010 Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats http://www.wsava.org/VGG1.htm (scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2010 http://www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/VaccinationGuidelines2010.pdf World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF) The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm . The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf 2011 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines https://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/CanineVaccineGuidelines.pdf Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary vaccines at http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/ October 1, 2002 DVM Newsletter article entitled, AVMA, AAHA to Release Vaccine Positions, http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=35171 July 1, 2003 DVM Newsletter article entitled, What Do We Tell Our Clients?, Developing thorough plan to educate staff on changing vaccine protocols essential for maintaining solid relationships with clients and ensuring quality care http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61696 July 1, 2003, DVM Newsletter article, Developing Common Sense Strategies for Fiscal Responsibility: Using an interactive template to plan service protocol changes http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61694 Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview Listen to Animal Wise (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07) The Vaccine Challenge Animal Talk Naturally Online Radio Show ? The Vaccine Challenge - Show #91 Rabies Prevention – United States, 1991 Recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP), Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly March 22, 1991 / 40(RR03);1-19 http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00041987.htm "A fully vaccinated dog or cat is unlikely to become infected with rabies, although rare cases have been reported (48). In a nationwide study of rabies among dogs and cats in 1988, only one dog and two cats that were vaccinated contracted rabies (49). All three of these animals had received only single doses of vaccine; no documented vaccine failures occurred among dogs or cats that had received two vaccinations. "
  • Doggie sunburn product

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    Shaye's MomS
    Any product made for babies will work on your B's. Aloe gel is fine if they do get pinked up out there. We keep an aloe plant growing in our yard (of course that's probably not possible in Canada) and break a shoot off, slice it, and put the aloe directly on us when we get it. So far though, even at the Florida beaches, our girls have not shown any sign of sunburn. (Fingers crossed)
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    T
    I just used the 1800petmeds.com/hop coupon code and got the 10% off plus free shipping!!!!! It was a sweet discount, Thank you… Here are some coupons i use a lot: ** This is for Petco.com**: You can place these codes in the check out area at petco.com Coupon Code –Report10 gets you 10% off any purchase Coupon Code –Report gets you 10% off Free shipping on purchases over $65.