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Fleas and Ticks, The Wholistic Truth
by Dr Jeanette (Jeannie) Thomason
As Spring comes on and the warmer weather creeps up, many of us start to worry about those tough, relentless little survivors we call fleas. When your dog (or cat)is not around, they will even eat each other to survive and wait for your prt to become its new host!
Have you ever wondered why some dogs and cats have severe flea problems, while others are hardly bothered at all? In the conventional animal health industry, the fact that parasites (worms, heartworm, fleas, ticks, flies, giardia)
will attach themselves to a sick animal before they will attach to a healthy animal, is hardly ever made known to
the pet loving public however, I want you to know the facts.
People that have dogs or cats with fleas, skin problems, allergies, digestive problems and behavioral problems are spending hundreds of dollars at the veterinarian on flea prevention, antibiotics, steroids, tranquilizers, and other medication.
The sad but all too truthful fact is that these toxic chemicals, antibiotics, steroids, and many other medications take a serious toll on the pet's internal organs and immune systems. The animal's problems become a never-ending circle of medication and sickness. Skin problems, allergies and flea infestations are in reality, just the obvious outward signs/symptoms of a nutritional deficiencies and toxic overload.
We are all bombarded with advertising on how to kill parasites/pests (fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms) with toxic, lethal chemicals of all types and strengths for all sizes and breeds of dogs or cats. More then likely, you have been using some of these chemicals that your veterinarian has prescribed and sold to you. You may even be one of the increasingly many that have even seen your dog go into an epileptic seizure almost immediately upon being administered one of the lethal chemicals sold to the unsuspecting public to "protect" their cherished little companion. Are you aware that there are some breeds of dogs that are actually killed when these chemical products are administered to them?
You may be using these chemicals and maybe you are even troubled about it because your pet's health has taken a turn for the worse. You aren't sure why, but if you look back at what you have been using on your (or in your) pet to "prevent" fleas, ticks and even heartworm, you might realize that your dog's health began to decline some time after a foreign substance was applied to your dog's body or ingested. Be it a vaccination or be it a chemical to kill worms, ticks, fleas or protozoa, any time a chemical or something foreign to an animal is put into its body, there WILL be a reaction. Most of the time the reaction will happen internally and you may not be aware at the time of just how detrimental this foreign substance is. Imagine how extremely lethal a chemical has to be if it is administered only once a month or once a season or the label says not to allow the pet to come into contact with your children or bedding!
Common sense should tell us that if it is so dangerous that you have to wear gloves to administer it, must keep the pet AWAY from children or bedding that it has to be "bad news" not only for the fleas and ticks but to your poor dog whose blood stream these chemicals are now moving through.
Did you know that your dog's liver and kidneys are adversely affected by the use of flea collars, topical drops, chemical de-wormers, heart worm drugs, etc.?
Some Things Your Veterinarian Never Told You About Pesticides (Flea and Tick killers)
There is a list of side effects, written right in the PDR (Physicians Drug Reference- detail every drug any of the pharmaceutical companies manufacture) and the Owners hand out sheets (that should be given to you at the time the chemicals are dispensed for your pet. If you are not aware of these because your veterinarian does not give you one, ASK FOR ONE!
Fipronil, imidacloprid, methoprene, and permethrin are all considered highly toxic carcinogens, neurotoxins, teratogens and dermatogens, some of their known side effects are: lesions in the brain, lungs, liver and kidney damage, pulmonary edema, bone marrow ailments, and birth defects.
Pyriproxyfen and ethanol, both teratogens, cause damage to the reproductive system, causing miscarriages, smaller offspring and birth defects. Not only are your dogs and cats effected but when you pet or touch your dog (or cat) after applying these toxic chemicals, can cause reproductive damage in you and your children as well.
Carbitol is a neurotoxin, meaning it can cause damage to the nervous system, and it can cause serious organ damage to both your pets and your family as well.
Fipronil has the possibility of causing thyroid cancer in your pet and to anyone holding or petting the animal. It can cause loss of appetite, lethargy, convulsions, excessive barking, body twitches and tremors, stiffened limbs, unsteady gait, lack of coordination, labored breathing, hair loss, ulcerations, itching, and chewing.
Permethrin, which is the common denominator in most of these products, is a broad spectrum insecticide/pesticide, that works as an endocrine disruptor and a carcinogenic insecticide, causing lung cancer and liver tumors in laboratory animals. The manufactures, companies and veterinarians are made aware of this information before they buy, re-sell, prescribe, or apply it to your beloved pets. Do you think these flea and tick killers might just be part of the reason why 4 out of 5 dogs and cats in this country have cancer?
The toxic chemicals in these products can, over time result in seizures, chronic skin itching and infections, renal failure (kidney failure )and/or liver damage to the point of the liver becoming unable to filter the blood and in many cases, complete liver failure and many more dis-ease conditions.
Contaminated blood circulating throughout your pet's body day after day will most definitely contribute to other more complicated health issues, such as diabetes and arthritis to name just two of the most common long term side effects.
The side effects from these toxic chemicals are so bad that in many cases, pets can actually die within days of receiving these lethal doses of chemicals prescribed to kill a little bitty parasite.
Question..........
Does your pet really need to be poisoned just to kill a little parasite that could is easily prevented or removed without any of these dangerous side effects listed above? Especially when it is a known fact that there are a whole variety of God given remedies in nature; that were placed on this earth by the Creator to keep His little creatures free of parasites if only "man" was intelligent enough to discover and use them?
Still people continue to use toxic chemicals and drugs because they don't know there is a better, simpler, less expensive, SAFER way.
The presence of fleas (and/or any parasite) should be viewed as an indicator of an animal's overall, general health. Yes, you read that right ... Parasites in general, and fleas in particular, are most attracted to the weak, unhealthy, or very young animal whose immune system is not functioning properly. The long-term solution to a flea problem is quite simply to reduce your pet's susceptibility to fleas by improving his/her health.
Let's take a Wholestic approach here and begin with the foundation and cornerstone of good health.
Species Specific Nutrition
Good, proper nutrition from foods appropriate for the species (carnivore)can actually prevent (and dare I say the word?) "Cure" disease by providing the proper nutrients to keep the immune system balanced and functioning at optimal levels.
The food you feed your pets should provide all of the nutritional components which are necessary for all organs and systems of a healthy body to perform in harmonious unison. A properly functioning body does an amazing job at preventing disease and healing itself, however it requires the energies and nutrients of a species appropriate diet. In terms of finding the proper diet for our companions, this means learning to look beyond our own needs, opinions, and agendas to address the natural needs of the animals that we are responsible for by feeding and raising them according their species and nature. Dogs, are carnivores and need to be fed accordingly for optimal health.
One of the first things I recommend is researching and switching your dog (or cat) to a raw meat, organ and bone diet that their bodies are designed to eat and thrive on. (if you feeding raw meat and bones is a new concept for you, please request a consultation as there is a lot of conflicting and confusing information out there.)
Hopefully you will study into the benefits of a raw, species appropriate diet and the dangers of feeding kibble - all kibble is kibble is still kibble no matter what the ingredients are or if it is labeled "natural, holistic or organic" it is slow death in a bag for our beloved animal companions. All kibble is cooked at high temperatures that de-nature and destroy all nutrients. All kibble has to be sprayed or layered with some kind of vitamin/nutrient mixture before packaging since there is NO nutrition left after processing, no matter what great ingredients they may have started out with.
I do not recommend any kibble as a diet for our carnivore pets. However, if you still feel the need to feed kibble after reading more about it, there is only one that is layered with freeze dried RAW nutrients as opposed to the synthetic soup used to spray on all other kibbles out there. It is also grain and potato free. You can read a little about it
HERE
Remember, flea problems do not stem from the presence of fleas, but from health related and environmental circumstances which enable to fleas to thrive and reproduce. They are opportunists, preying on the weak and unhealthy whose immune system is not balanced and functioning at full capacity. Dry flaky skin, constant shedding, scratching, chewing on its self reveals a general susceptibility in the animal's immune system which in turn, provides the perfect environment for parasites.
If your dog is unhealthy, suffering from poor digestion, itchy skin, dull coat, goopy eyes, food allergies or the like, then these are symptoms reveal that his/her ability to deal with and fight off fleas (or any other parasite) are decreased. A healthy dog eating a fresh, species specific diet and a resulting strong immune system will not be bothered by parasites.
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are highly recommended to aid the animal's immune system come into balance. By assisting the transport of nutrients through the body and aiding in the breakdown and removal of waste products, probiotics and digestive-enzymes help alleviate allergy symptoms brought on by lack of proper nutrition and toxic overload.
FISH OIL
Fish oil contains linolenic acid, which is broken down into the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). When the immune system is activated by infection or injury, inflammation occurs, which can be evident by redness, swelling or pain. EPA and DHA fatty acids found in fish oil can modify the immune system response by decreasing inflammation.
Read more: about the benefits of fish oil for your pets Here
Other Supplements
Organic apple cider vinegar added to your pets water can also help in supplying lacking minerals and nutrients
In some cases, B-complex vitamins, trace minerals and zinc added to your pet's meal are very beneficial. (check with your Veterinary Naturopath or Certified Animal Nutritionist for dosages).
Burdock root, dandelion root and red clover are great blood cleansers and naturally eliminate waste which help the immune system fight the itching and inflammation of flea bites. A low-alcohol tincture is best, squirted directly into your pets mouth or added to the water.
Bovine Colostrum is an all natural substance that contains transfer factors that work by "teaching" your pets (or your own) immune system to identify infectious agents that attack your body every day.
To keep a body healthy, the immune system must do three very important things each time it comes in contact with a pathogen: First it must first recognize the pathogen as a threat to the body; second, it must then attack and kill off the threat; and third, it must remember that pathogen so that your body can rid itself quickly of it the next time it is attacked. The naturally occuring transfer factors in Bovine colostrum do just this.
Natural Flea and Tick Deterants
Essential Oils as Flea and Tick Deterants
Plants produce essential oils as their own survival technique to repel bugs This makes essential oils great insect
repellents for animals (and humans, too). Essential oils are all natural, mild and will leave your dog's coat healthy and
vibrant. For centuries, EO's have been used in a variety of ways to repel fleas, ticks and other biting insects. These oils
are nature's own God given repellants. They ward off unwanted hitchhikers. Some of the more common oils that act as flea and insect repellants are citronella, cedar, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint and lavender. Essential oils are naturally designed to repel fleas and ticks without using potentially dangerous pesticides found in common insect repellents.
Essential oil formulations do need to be applied more frequently than toxic, synthetic pesticides, but the benefits far outweigh the exposure to harsh chemical smells and toxic side effects. They are great for misting your dog's legs (and your own) any time that you go out where fleas would be likely to be found.
See more information and recipe for EO spray Here
NOTE I only recommend using Young Living Essential oils as they are scientifically tested to assure thier purity and medical grade theraputic quality.
For a listing of some All Natural Products to aid in flea prevention, Click HERE
CAUTION Some Essential Oils are not well tolerated by cats.
Please only use 100% pure, grade A essential oils (Young Living) and only in very small diluted amounts with the supervision of your veterinary naturopath or a certified animal aromatherapist with cats.
DE
Diatoms workhorses as flea killers:
In certain sections of the United States and other parts of the world,there are glacial deposits that consist of diatoms that were prehistoric one-celled animals. When these diatoms are mined and ground into a fine powder, organic farmers have used this gift of Nature to eliminate lice, worms of all sorts [including heart worms], mites, ants, spiders and other parasites from their chickens, ducks, pigeons, dogs, cattle, horses, goats and all their other farm animals as long as the powder has been available to them.
Diatoms are one celled microscopic algae whose walls consist of two parts and contain a mineral called silica. Under a very strong microscope, diatoms have very sharp edges. When a flea, ant, spider, etc comes into contact with the remaining sharp edges of the diatoms, they lacerate the waxy exoskeleton of the bug and the powder DE (diatomaceous earth) absorbs the body fluids causing death by dehydration.
NOTE: Be sure to us only food grade DE. The kind used in swimming pool and pond filters is to highly refined and can be dangerous to breath or ingest.
When given internally it will ingested by any intestinal worms and it will cut the insides of the worm and it will die. So this is a great natural womer as well. Not to mention you are giving your dogs trace minerals to boot!
DE or Diatoms are approximately 3% magnesium, 85% silicon, 5% sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium.
Organic farmers have been using natural remedies such as Distoms/Diatomacous Earth to get rid of parasites for their pets and their livestock for years. Eliminating the little, nutrition stealing parasites inside and outside of your dogs and other pets is critical for the health and well being of your animals.
Remember the flea spends 80% of his time in the surrounding environment, not on your dog or cat. Vacume EVERYTHING about every three days, treat the area with products containing Young Living oils of juniper, cedar, eucalyptus, canadian fleabane, lavender, lemongrass or citric oil. Canadian flea bane and citrus oil contain d-Limonene which actually kills fleas. Or sprinkle DE or Borax around your baseboards, under furniture cushions and around the dog's bed to kill them via dehydration.
So, at last, there really is something a lot more healthy and beneficial that you can do for your pet to eliminate parasites. You can draw upon God's own pantry in nature and provide your beloved companion what the Creator has provided as natural insect/pest deterants. A species appropriate raw diet along with supplements, herbs, essential oils and or DE.
Remember, fleas are a symptom. The key to dealing with parasites is to make your pet undesirable to them, and to take steps to prevent an infestation. A healthy dog (or cat) should not be troubled by an occasional flea.
Copyright � 2006 - 2011 The Whole Dog,
Dr Jeannie Thomason, All rights reserved.
No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. All the articles at The
Whole Dog.org.
This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified canine health professional. Dr Jeanette (Jeannie) Thomason, The Whole Dog, does not assume any legal responsibility.
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