[dogsandpups]

My 5-year-old Spaniel Holly has ticks on her body. Last year, because of ticks she had suffered from a blood parasite diseases and her platelet count had come very low. How can I prevent her from the dreadful ticks...

[CorkyMax]

I don't believe in the poisons that are sold for tick prevention and I especially wouldn't want to use them on a dog that has a low platelet count--immune system is probably compromised right now! And I have a Cocker Spaniel that would go nuts when I put any poisons on her body--allergic I think. So I found something just now on the net
on natural prevention.

This sounds like a very good site but I am pasting here the whole article so others will notice it better and therefore 'bone up' on it----Tick season may be about over for colder climates but this is worth reading (and copying) for future reference!

All Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs

Many dog owners today are looking for all natural tick prevention for their dogs. While these owners worry about the dog's tick problem, they're also concerned about the effects the tick treatments have on their dog's digestive tract, internal organs and overall health, both short and long term. They're looking for more all natural products to alleviate the problem. Here's a guide to treating tick bites with all natural products.
Use Several All Natural Tick Prevention Products Together

When looking at the all natural tick prevention products, keep in mind that these products will most likely have to be used in combination with each other in order to provide effective coverage. A dietary solution, combined with a topical and an environmental product, provides broad-spectrum protection while avoiding the complications that introducing chemicals into the dog's system and surroundings can bring.

There are many all natural tick prevention products out on the market and that can be made at home. The following, while not an exhaustive list, can give you an idea as to what products will work best for you and your dog.
Dietary Tick Preventatives

Yeast - Brewer's Yeast comes in tablets and powder, with or without garlic. It's easiest to give Brewer's Yeast in tablet form, 1 tablet for every 10 pounds of weight. Tablets can be added to their food or tossed to the dog as treats. The tablets are chewable and dogs like the taste. The Brewer's Yeast makes the dog's blood acidic and repels both ticks and fleas.
Garlic - Garlic given as a dietary supplement makes the dog less appealing to ticks too. The smell is excreted through the skin and repels both ticks and fleas. However, garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs. If you use garlic as your tick prevention, use it sparingly.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar adds acidity to your dog's blood, making it less appealing to ticks and fleas. Add 2 tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar to the dog's water bowl as a preventative.

Topical/External Tick Preventatives

Herbal flea/tick powder or spray - There are several herbal flea and tick powders and sprays on the market utilizing various herbal combinations to prevent ticks. Apply these powders sparingly to your dog's coat.
Herbal flea/tick collars - There are several herbal flea and tick collars on the market, but you can also make your own at home. Using a web or rope collar or even a bandana, apply several drops of essential oils (Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Citronella, Lavender or Geranium) to the fabric and allow it to absorb. Reapply the essential oil to the collar weekly.
Citrus repellent - Cut a lemon into quarters and put into a pint jar. Cover with boiling water and let steep overnight. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray all over the dog, especially behind the ears, around the head, at the base of the tail and in the arm pits.

Environmental Tick Preventatives

Nematodes - Beneficial nematodes are a microscopic, worm-like organism that live in soil. They feed on tick larvae so break their life cycle and kill off the parasite.
Diatomaceous earth - Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder consisting of ground fossils, marine life and fresh water organisms. While non-toxic to humans and animals, this powder is lethal to ticks and fleas.

Preventing ticks doesn't need to be a chemical based treatment. There a many all natural methods of prevention so your dog can live a healthy, chemical free life.

Related Links:

Treating Dog Hookworm With Diatomaceous Earth
Natural Flea and Tick Control for Dogs
Natural Dog Flea Wash Products
Non-Toxic Remedies for Dogs' Flea Problems
What Is the Best Way to Control Fleas Naturally?


Read more: All Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs - VetInfo
Because of all the related links to this article I am also putting the site link here so you can check it all out:

All Natural Tick Prevention for Dogs - VetInfo

I put vinegar in their supper meal every day---but easy for me as I feed raw and home cooking--easy to mix in and sometimes add cinnamon to help with the sour taste. Actually my 2 get cinnamon everyday as I give them dried sweet potato chips that I dry in my Ronco dryer to which I sprinkle cinnamon on after putting the chips on the trays to dry. (Don't overdue on the cinnamon --just me being overly cautious) I also 'pulverize" garlic in some of their home made meals--but you do have to be careful of the amount as it can cause an anemic type condition if overdone and your dog being on low blood platelets prob not a good thing for her--at least not now! The bandana idea sounds interesting to me. Do you live where the ticks are esp. bad--in the country, etc? There are some things mentioned in this article about trying to get rid of ticks outside too.

I have never seen a tick or flea on my 2 dogs---Hope it is the vinegar and garlic---I use cinnamon a lot too and have read fleas (ticks?) don't like it either. I do not use anything else. I also have read that fleas (prob. ticks too) tend to stay off of healthy dogs.

Hey I hope you look into (check the net out for ideas) doing things to get her blood platelets back to normal!! I hope she gets healthier and please post again---keep in touch--esp. love to hear good things about dogs improving and also just about them in general. This is a very dog loving forum and sometimes a person gets 'attached' to the dogs and want to know more about them.

I just checked out the net for low blood platelets. I think this is prob. something you want to see--I say that because right now my 'sound' isn't working on my computer and I can't hear this video but it looks like a good one for you; Video: How to Raise Low Platelet Counts in Dogs | eHow.com

This thread will tell you how to remove ticks from your dog (or you) safely:
Easy Tick Removal--Lol, The Dog or You!

[Lara's mom]

If you live in an area where ticks are a problem. I'd consult your vet.

[dogs rule]

Although I do believe alot of things can be treated naturaly, I have always given all my dogs Sentinel. Never had a problem with fleas or ticks. You give it with their meal once a month, and it prevents fleas, ticks, heartworm disease and also controls parasite infections
such as hookworm, adult roundworm and adult whipworm. I only give it to them, during the warmer months, usually 6-7 months out of the year.You can only get this from your vet, so I would discuss your dogs health, as this may not be something you will be able to give.
Take care.

[akismaster]

If you had a history of dogs having ticks in your place, it's better to treat your place first. Make sure that you cover all the cracks because ticks will live within cracks and can last months without blood.

I use REVOLUTION Anti-ticks for dogs. It has a lot of content in it like heart worm prevention and ear-mites if I'm not mistaken.

[blackdove]

I used Frontline Plus before. It's very effective, but has become expensive for me. Nowadays, I use diluted Sevin. Here's how I make an anti-tick solution for my dog. It's effective, cheap and way more economical.

blackdovenest.com/2012/02/best-anti-tick-solution-for-dogs.html

[My Lil Babies]

I have always used drontal plus on my dogs and have never had a problem with fleas or ticks in the 4 years of owning a dog. The dogs have never had a reaction from it either.