Helpful articles and information for springer owners:
Castration Decisions -- 20018the_cruelty_of_castration.docx
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Flea and Tick Control Heartworm Prevention Spay and Neuter Considerations Dog Food Recommendations
Immunizations Ear Infections Blue Power Recipe Trifexis, Comfortis, Sentinel
Itchies and Allergies?? Grooming Puppy Tips K9 CPR
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Flea and Tick Control: Please, please do NOT use the combination flea/tick/heartworm medications which are on the market right now with our springers. This would include medications such as Trifexis, Comfortis, and Sentinel, etc. There are just too many reports of dog ill side effects such as vomiting, seizures, and deaths which may be related to these medictions.
I do not believe in putting poison on my dogs unless there is a reason to do so....I do NOT use preventive medications in case we might get a flea or tick. This is my preference. What I do is to use Advantix II IF I notice a flea or tick problem occurring and may use for a maximum of two months, usually in the summertime. I NEVER use the monthly topicals around the clock all year...not necessary. Remember, if you have a flea problem ,,, be sure to also treat your home and yard I use the kind of spray which attaches to a garden hose to spray the yard once or twice a year if needed. This seems to do the trick for me.
More Trifexus, Comfortis and Sentinel information: In recent months there have been FOUR episodes, two resulting in death, two resulting in vomiting and seizures with CK springers within three different families. The only common denominator is Trifexis. Two of the incidents occurred within four hours of administration of Trifexis. The other two are not confirmed due to Trifexus but these dogs also took Trifexis. Please do NOT under any circumstances administer Trifexis (the heartworm/flea pill) to any of our springers. Call me to discuss other options if you would like, or drop me an email.
This is just too coincidental and in my heart the problems are due to the chemicals used in Trifexis. There are many other options for heartworm control/prevention and flea/tick treatments. While monthly heartworm is absolutely necessary, the treatment for fleas and ticks can be based upon need, not requiring treatment each and every month. Many other products available besides Trifexis.
I do NOT recommend any combination pill which combines heartworm and flea treatment/prevention. It is too much poison to put into a dog or any animal. I also do not recommend using flea/tick prevention ALL the time....only when needed and absolutely necessary. There are also natural ways to fight off these pests besides using poisons. Please, please be vigilant ...research every medication and select any of many other products. NO TRIFEXIS EVER!!!
The same company which makes Trifexis also makes Comfortis and recently bought out Sentinel. Some of the primary ingredients found in Trifexis are manufactured in China according to the information from the manufacturer. Beware.Call me for additional details if you would like. In recent months there have been FOUR episodes, two resulting in death, two resulting in vomiting and seizures with CK springers within three different families. The only common denominator is Trifexis. Two of the incidents occurred within four hours of administration of Trifexis. The other two are not confirmed due to Trifexus but these dogs also took Trifexis. Please do NOT under any circumstances administer Trifexis (the heartworm/flea pill) to any of our springers. Call me to discuss other options if you would like, or drop me an email.
While monthly heartworm protection is absolutely necessary, the treatment for fleas and ticks can be based upon need, not requiring treatment each and every month. Many other products available besides Trifexis.
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Heatworm Prevention: I use Ivemectin, available at the farm supply store of your choice. This is a liquid given once a month orally. Talk with your vet on dosage level and use. I do NOT recommend using the combination heartworm/flea/tick pills....too much poison as it doubles up on the Ivemectin. See the above paragraph. Ivemectin is only for adult dogs...no puppy dose...Another recommended heartworm protection is heartguard, based on weight of dog. It is much easier to purchase the heartworm medications from your vet and the dosage level will be perfect, just do not use a combination heart worm / flea pill.
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Food: I currently use Diamond Naturals - Lamb, Beef or Chicken, which does not have any soy, wheat, corn or preservatives in it. It is important to avoid foods containing a first or second ingredient of corn (a filler only) and NO wheat in our lines. This works well for us. We also recommend using the lesser known proteins...we feed Lamb and Rice. This avoids using meats which may be more commonly fed antibiotics, steroids, etc. Try buffalo, duck, lamb, or other uncommon proteins.
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Spay/Neuter Decisions: Please read this article before spaying or neutering your dog. I have long felt that the early spay/neutering was WRONG....and have shared this with many of you. Now we have research showing why we should consider leaving our dogs intact, the way they were born....please decide wisely and always protect your dog against unwanted and unplanned pregnancies....do not add to the dog population problem...but protect your family member from hip dysplasia, cancer, and other disorders now linked to spay/neutering.
Read the article in full... CLICK HERE for article.."as published in Perspectives, the AKC Delegates Newsletter, Vol. 28, No. 1, March, 2015."
And if you must spay or neuter, please consider these alternatives to the traditional surgeries which in turn are not linked to certain cancers and other health issues: Here is the article ""as published in Perspectives, the AKC Delegates Newsletter, Vol. 28, No. 1, March, 2015." Click the link below....
Medical Information
Immunizations: By law, we must give rabies vaccinations every three years in NC.
Check with your state to see requirements.
It is important to complete a series of three puppy immunizations and a one year update immunization. It is not necessary to give additional unneeded immunizations unless kenneling your dog in a day care or overnight kennels. See a complete list of what I recommend or do not recommend and why in my new puppy book.
Ear Infections:
If you have a lot of ear infections, be sure to dry springer ears whenever they finish swimming, and consider using the Blue Power Treatment weekly to prevent recurrent infections. See your vet for antibiotics if needed.
Click the link below for the recipe.
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