I just can't stand how cute she is!!! I wanna squeeze the bejeezus out of her, she's too dang cute!

Ok - some of here don't use flea and tick meds, but will use other natural repelants that have other health benefits. I'll have to find the thread here on the forum, but I believe that mixing 50/50 water and ACV (the unfiltered kinds with 'the Mother' in it) and use it as a spray will help repel flea and tick. Some of us also mix in ACV (apple cider vinegar) in our dog's food to help repel parasites. ACV also help with kidney and liver function and other stuff....I'll try to find the thread and repost, but Evie is 15 weeks so I'm not sure about giving her ACV in her food just yet.

Another thing I learned here on the forum was switching to a holistic vet. Someone said, 'The best thing I ever did for my by was going to see a holistic vet.....' and mentioned her reasons why. I did the same, and LOVE my vet. The 2 holistic vets I have dealt with will give me several different options: natural and traditional, with different cost options. They will also inform me of which options are conservative and what are extreme. They will educate you instead of 'tell you what needs to be done'.

I don't have experience with puppies as my 2 are rescues, so hopefully others with puppy experience and de-worming will respond. The one thing I was told when your pup has worms is when they go to poop, you need to pick it up right away. Maybe that's if you have another dog around...

For heartworms, I use Heartguard, and I only do flea and tick prevention in the warmer months when we're hiking more. Since fleas and ticks cannot survive in the winter months, I don't use flea and tick prevention during the winter when we're snowshoeing. I've used First Shield in the past which also kills head lice.

What's ironic about the black spot on Evie's tail is that Storm has a black spot on his tail, and Ginger has a dark red spot on her tail!

Heartworm Meds and Flea and Tick prevention

Here's the topic that talks about different heartworm prevention and natural flea and tick prevention. On the second page about 2/3 the way down, you'll see the ACV recipe to repel flea and ticks.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Claudia! I am most definately going to try to find a holistic vet. Sounds like it could be the best thing for me to do. I hate the high pressure tactics of our vet and how she seems to belittle what I say I KNOW about these dogs from the research I have done. She was apalled that I was feeding her TOTW. Grrr.

I did read previously here about the benefits of ACV, so if anyone knows if 15 weeks is too young to start please let me know. As far as the worms, I am meticulously picking up poop and scouring my house, washing toys, beds, the whole 9 yards. I too only intend to use flea prevention for the summer months, but want to be sure what I put on her won't harm her. I read that one owner that put Vectra on her dog accidently got a drop on her finger and the entire thing burned and went numb. And I'm supposed to put that on 3 spots on my dog? WTH is this stuff?

That is too funny that Ginger and Storm have the spots too! Evie's looks like a spot of grease. I can't get over how much her markings change everyday. Ginger and Storm have the most gorgeous ice blue eyes! Beautiful beautiful dogs.

Going to read up on Heartworm prevention now. thanks again Claudia!

Just a note that the Amherst Paw Park has its official leash cutting ceremony next Saturday, June 4th. They are hoping to make a decent event of it so if you have time stop by.

http://www.amherstpawpark.com/

Jill, I think Interceptor may be better for getting rid of the intestinal parasites than Heartgard Plus. We started on Heartgard but changed to Interceptor. I thought he would never get rid of those worms! If you read about the different meds and whether they kill the larvae or the eggs or only the adults, you can figure out if Evie has been medicated through an entire life cycle of a worm yet. Especially if she has had multiple types of worms, you will be seeing lots of worms as she rids herself of each type. From what I understand, It can be a long process. Sabaka had round worms for about 2 months and then they were just gone! I actually never gave him any more of the "de-worming" medicine after the two or three doses he had been given by the breeder. I just let the Interceptor and Heartgard do their job and eventually they worked.

Good Luck! She is such a cutie!! I want all of her nasty worms gone, too!

Thanks for the info Len! Checked out the link and it looks like a great time. We'll see what next weekend brings.

Hi Lisa and thank you! Sounds like you went through just what I'm going through. I think I will just stick with the Interceptor then. I can't imagine that these meds haven't hit the whole cycle of these parasites yet. The vet said even the interceptor is just a preventative though and will not get rid of the infestation. I don't know...it's making me crazy. She has done Strongid, at least 2 rounds of Panacur, and will have the Drontal monday. I feel like I'm constantly medicating her. Maybe after the Drontal I'll say enough is enough and just keep a close eye and pray the Interceptor is working and her body fights em off. I love her so much just want her well, poor babe.

Still learning how to navigate and find topics, so sorry I'm asking some things here. I did read the link Claudia posted and know I am NOT putting that Vectra on her.

JillC wrote:

The vet said even the interceptor is just a preventative though and will not get rid of the infestation.

I don't know about that... I think it kills roundworms and hookworms in one of their life stages. You may have to wait until the eggs hatch or something. It does not kill or prevent tapeworm, I believe.

I'm sure there is Interceptor information online.

im not a husky owner...........YET, but can say this about ur puppy....



SHES INCREDIBLY CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!! hoping when the time comes, that I'll have a house with a big enough yard for a husky .


oh.......by the way.....welcome from elmira, NY