We had a huge problem with fleas.We were renting a 2 bedroom flat on a plot and they had not finished building the kitchen yet. When you walked through the kitchen your legs were covered in fleas, it looked like you had just put on a pair of black knee height socks.
We tried every product on the market we could get our hands on, from flea powder to fumigation tabs. The fleas would diminish for a few days, but in no time you would be wearing your black knee high flea socks again. The infestation of fleas made our home feel grimy and dirty. I had problems sleeping as I could feel the Fleas biting me, and I would feel itchy and scratchy the whole night.
Flea powder and flea collars weren’t helping for the dogs anymore.
After six months of this nightmare we had one of two choices
1. Move (which wasn’t an option at the time due to financial constraints and circumstances) 2. Burn the fleas. We were contemplating how we were going to successfully implement this dangerous strategy.
Fortunately our neighbor had visitors who heard about our desperate plans of getting rid or our flea infestation problem. They suggested that we use Pine Gel. I had never heard of this product and was willing to give it a try. We found a tub of 500ml Pine Gel at a local soap shop, ADA Distributors.
We diluted the 500ml Pine Gel tub with 20 liters of water, first we washed our dogs with Pine Gel and then sprayed the infested area for 3 days until our 20 liters of diluted Pine Gel was finished. What we saw was an incredible sight, as we started spraying you could see a black cloud of fleas as they were fleeing from the Pine Gel solution. You have to see it to appreciate it or believe it, there is no other way I can describe it to you.
Needless to say we were rid of our Flea infestation and without having to take any drastic measures. Our home and our dogs have been Flea free ever since we discovered Pine Gel. We have washed our dogs once a month with Pine Gel solution and have had no side or unwanted affects to date, we have used this product for 3 years now. I hope you benefit from this information. Please read this note as I have copied it from the Product for your information for you to make an informed decision if you decide to make use of this product.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Pine Gel is a thick green concentrated all purpose cleaner with a pleasant fresh pine smell. It can be used safely on most surfaces but could be harmful on painted surfaces. Ideal for bathrooms, showers, toilets, walls, restrooms, floors, tiles, counters, doors, tables, windows, shelving, and many more uses. If it is used as a laundry supplement check for color fastness before using product.
Not to be used on food preparation areas. Use as supplied or dissolve in water. Store away from food in a cool place out of reach from children.
Discus fish health truly has 2 main areas of concern and those are the fish’s water and the discus fish’s food. Of smaller concern, but worth discussing is that you must do a little analysis before you put your discus fish in with other species in your tank. They may not be good tank friends and this could cause your new pet stress.
Knowing what signs to have a look for can help enormously with discus fish health for the easy reason that treatment of sicknesses is boring and hard. It’s best to do everything that you can to be preventive in your attempts at frustrating any stress causing environmental issues.
There are occasions where adding some medication to the water will solve the problem, however this is not the case almost all of the time. Your discus fish’s water is like the air that we breathe as humans. Should our air be soiled and polluted, we’ll develop health issues. With discus fish, you need to keep their water clean and at the right temperature and pH levels. You will need to do a partial change in the water one or more times a week changing out between twenty-five and fifty percent of the water. You should have an excellent biological filter and ensure that it stays clean.
An alternative way to be fully certain that your discus stays healthy is by utilizing and reverse osmosis filter. A reverse osmosis filter uses a little, semi-permeable surface that permits only water molecules to pass through it, filtering out minerals and trace substances which are unhealthy for the discus. When using one of these, you could have to think about adding some minerals as this removes everything except pure water and there are a few things that your fish wants.
One of the largest health concerns with discus is bugs and worms that they can develop, and their immunological systems will keep them in check till they become stressed. Observing the fecal matter of your discus fish can show symptoms of bugs or worms in your fish. White feces, clear feces are 2 signs. Apart from their feces, you can tell mostly by their behaviour. Bugs can bring about a number of observable symptoms from hiding, developing a darker color to food strikes and not eating.
Often times if a number of these symptoms happen, you can try doing a water change in the tank. Discus fish are terribly delicate to their environment and could cause them stress. If this doesn’t do the job, there are medicines that you can put into the water that can help clear up any discus health issues.
Among those are metronidazole. Metro as it’s known is step one in treating bugs should your discus get infected. Also common with these bugs are worms, so you must find a de-wormer to be employed in coordination with your Metro treatment.
As stated before, prevention is way easier than treatment when it comes to discus health. Following these tips, while ensuring your discus has proper nutrient elements and feeding will insure that you could have satisfied and healthy discus fish.
Neem oil is a vegetable oil from the Azadirachta indica evergreen, (Neem tree). It has a strong mixed aroma of garlic and peanut butter. It varies in color from golden yellow, yellow-brown, red-brown, dark brown, green-brown to bright red. At room temperature it remains a liquid. Exposure to cold temperatures, (below fifity-five degrees), causes separation, thick consistency and solidification. As a liquid, it quickly absorbs into skin without a greasy feeling.
Neem is used in commercial and homemade products for people and pets: soaps, lotions, creams, shampoos and sprays. It’s rising in popularity in Europe and the USA. Neem bark, leaves, fruit, seeds and oils all have medicinal properties.
The Neem tree grows up to sixty-six feet with wide spreading branches, white fragrant flowers and fruit, similar in appearance to olives. It thrives in sub-tropical or tropical regions. It’s native to India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
OIL EXTRACTION METHODS
Neem oil is extracted by cold presing seeds, mechanical pressing, steam pressure or by chemical solvents. It is highly unlikely the exact same mix of compnenets will be produced more than once during extraction. The oil content in Neem seeds is higher than in the leaves.
— Cold Pressing: These oils retaing their flavor, aroma and nutritional value.
— Mechanical Pressing: Dried Neem seeds are fed into a mechannical pressing machine. Oil is collected in a drum with unwanted particles filtered out. This oil is lighter in color and odor when compared to toher extraction methods.
— Steam and High Pressure: Neem seeds are fed into a steam boiler, causing seeds to sweell. Squeezing the oil becomes easier. Oil is driven from the seeds, due to the steam and boiler pressure, without any pressing. Unwanted particles are filtered out. This method is not as good as others, since heat degrades flavor, nutrional value, color and may expose toxins.
— Chemical Solvents: A petroleum/alcohol solvent is mixed with seeds after drying. Solvents only help to extract oil out of the kernel up to a percentage. In addition, Neem seeds may be prerssed. Maxium oil extraction is ensured with this method.
NEEM CAUTIONS
— Avoid if pregnant or trying to conceive.
— Keep away from children, the weak and elderly.
— May cause skin sensitivities at high concentrations. Test Neem based solution on small area of skin before using on larger area.
— Avoid use with pre-existing medical condition. Consult health care provider.
— Neem oil is potent! It can irritate the skin and scalp. It must always be diluted in carrier oil, soap, lotion, shampoo or buffering agent to minimize risk of irritation.
NEEM OIL BENEFITS and HOMEMADE REMEDIES – (Body, Skin, Hair)
Anti-viral: Inhibit growth of viruses.
Homemade Remedy: Neem tea is an herbal tea made from ground leaves, flowers or bark of the Azadirachta indica tree. Relieve colds, coughs, allergies and other upper respiratory ailments. Detoxify the body. A general ratio of three to five whole leaves per cup of hot water is often preferred. Steep with boiling water from five to fifteen minutes.
Anti-fungal: Inhibit growth of fungi. Gedunin and Nimbibol are powerful anti-fungal compounds. Combat Athlete’s foot, ringworm and nail fungus. A neem lotion can prevent future infections.
Antibacterial/Antimicrobial: Destroy bacteria and growth of microorganisms.
Anti-inflammatory: Reduce redness and swelling.
Anti-Aging: High levels of fatty acids and vitamin E restores and rejuvenates skin cells. Increase skin elasticity. Extract skin impurities. Tighten skin pores. Balance skin tone. Prevent and treat acne scars. High level of antioxidants protect skin from damaging free radicals. Reduce appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, discolorations and uneven skin tone. Exfoliate dead skin cells. Moisturize. Soothe dry itchy skin. Restore natural, youthful, glow to skin.
Skin Care Tip # 1: Exfoliate dead skin cells with gentle Neem body scrub.
Skin Skin Care Tip # 2: Cleanse with gentle Neem soap.
Skin Care Tip # 3: Moisturize. Apply gentle Neem lotion before bed.
Natural Insect Repellent: Repel a variety of pests: cabbage worm, mealy bug, locust, beetles, mites, gnats, mushroom flies, fleas, ticks, ants, mosquitos, caterpillars and more. Neem oil is used for organic farming due to its insect repellent properties. It is not known to harm mammals, birds, earthworms, butterflies, honeybees or ladybugs if it’s not concentrated directly into their habitat or on their food. Neem soap and shampoo are popular with dog owners. Sprays are used on horses, cattle and live stock to repel insects and skin parasites.
HOW to MAKE SOAP with SOAP RECIPES
Soap Making Tips: Neem oil blends well with earthy scents, geranium, cedar wood, florals, sandalwood, lavender and lemongrass. Store oil in cool dark place, away from sunlight.
HOMEMADE SOAP RECIPE – (with Neem Oil)
(By Spencer’s Farm)
1 cup Goat Milk Soap Base (Melt & Pour)
1/4 cup Neem oil
1/4 cup Water (if necessary)
10 drops Citronella essential oil
5 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
1 tablespoon dried, crushed, Pennyroyal leaves
Learn how to make soap using the melt and pour method. Mix all ingredients by stirring vigorously. Pour mixture into prepared soap molds or hand mold into various sized balls. Depending on how much extra oil you add, it usually takes a couple of hours for soap to set up. Use after soap hardens. Congratulations! You’ve just made a homemade soap and natural mosquito repellent!
HOMEMADE SHAMPOO RECIPE – (with Neem Oil)
Directions: Combine appromimately ten percent Neem oil with complimentary oils: avocado, olive, coconut, castor and shea butter. This comination of oils will clean hair with a tingly scalp sensation. Rinse hair with water. Gently towel dry. The hair and scalp receive nourishment and conditioning. Moisturize hair, soothe dry scalp, get rid of dandruff and combat pesky insects, like head lice.
Disclaimer: I will be writing this series based on my years in the veterinary industry, and from my experience as an Registered Veterinary Technician. I am NOT a veterinarian, nor should any of my writings or advice be used in place of a veterinarian. Please contact your local veterinarian as every clinic and hospital and veterinarian does things different. It’s always good to do a second point of view, but the ‘Internet’ and ‘Dr. Google’ is not a replacement for your veterinarian. If you find something on the Internet that you feel is pertinent to your pet, it is always good to check your sources and above all, CHECK WITH YOUR OWN VETERINARIAN. This series is meant to be educational to teach folks more about their pets veterinary needs, but always check with your vet before starting or changing any form of treatment. Thanks!
Vaccines… Are they Really Necessary? Part One
This is a very common question that I hear from clients. Some are concerned about pumping chemicals into their pet, while others are financially limited. Some vaccines are referred to as ‘core’ vaccines, meaning they are important for all pets regardless of lifestyle. Others will depend on their lifestyle and risk of exposure.
A lot of vaccine information can be obtained from your vet, and there are a lot of websites that can tell you more detailed information, such as pets.webmd.com, or peteducation.com. However always check with your veterinarian. So I will just be going over the basics and explain why they are important. These are the vaccines that I use in my region, which is the Western United States.
Dogs –
DAPP – A Core vaccine that is recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. It stands for Distemper, Adeno-virus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Some clinics give DHPP, which is same thing. Also some vaccines will be labeled DALPP or DAPP-C. In this case “L” stands for Leptosporosis, and “C” stands for Coronavirus, we’ll get to them later.
All the viruses in the DAPP vaccine, are really nasty viruses… seriously… Some of them are transmitted through infected stool or other bodily fluids, while others are airborne. And like all viruses, once they present themselves, most of the time all you can do is hospitalize the pet and give supportive care. Supportive care involves IV fluids, medical injections to control the symptoms. It’s a long, tedious process. And these pets are also contagious, so they need to be isolated. So now pet owners are going to have to go to a 24/7 hospital and pay for hospitalization, and all the other supportive care… for at least a few days; which I guarantee will be a very expensive vet bill totally in the thousands. And there is a slim chance the puppy won’t make it anyway.
Best way to prevent your puppy from getting these is to isolate your pet from any contact with environments where there are other dogs or even where other dogs have been. Parvovirus can exist outside the host for an ENTIRE YEAR, also any dog that survives Parvovirus will shed it in its stool for an ENTIRE YEAR. So all you have to do is walk your puppy through these areas and the virus gets on their paws and soon they lick themselves and suddenly they are infected.
This vaccine should be given to puppies at 6-8 weeks, and then repeated every 3-4 weeks until the pet receives at least two more boosters. Adult dogs should receive it every 1-3 years.
Now some breeders will give the first vaccine as early as 4-6 weeks, which is a gray area depending on who you talk to. Remember the puppy gets antibodies from the mom through nursing, but those antibodies will only last for so long. Usually around 8-12 weeks of age is when the maternal immunity wears off. Which is why most vet hospitals will recommend at least 1-2 more boosters until the puppy is at least 16 weeks of age to ensure full protection. So if you buy a puppy at 8 weeks and the person says they have had all their shots; you still need to take it to the vet.
And just because they’ve gotten their first or second booster does not mean they are fully protected. The vaccine causes a mild immune response in the body so antibodies can form. However, it’s such a small level that if the puppy is exposed to the virus, they can easily be overcome by the virus and the puppy gets sick anyway. I have seen a few cases where a young puppy, despite receiving vaccines still get sick with Distemper or Parvovirus. So, in between vaccines, it still is recommended that you isolate the pet until they are fully vaccinated.
So is it necessary? Unless you want a vet bills that is in the thousands, it’s better to splurge the $20-30 each time to make sure your puppy is protected. Even with your adult dog, failing to vaccinate will eventually leave them vulnerable to these viruses.
Bordetella – Also a Core vaccine recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle. Vaccinates for Bordetella Bronseptica aka Kennel Cough. Transmitted through nasal secretions and airborne. It’s basically an upper respiratory infection. Relatively easy to treat with antibiotics, but with all the coughing, the dog will need to be isolated at home. It can develop into a more serious form, but usually can be treated by your vet.
Very commonly transmitted in shelters, kennels, doggy daycare, dog parks, basically anywhere your dog can be exposed to other dogs. It is highly contagious, so again any puppies should be isolated until they are vaccinated. Most of the time it’s given either via Intra-nasal drops, or Injectable form. Usually good for a year, but some boarding facilities or doggy day care will require it to be boosted every 6 months.
So it is necessary? Even if your pet doesn’t have contact with other dogs, considering it’s highly contagious, it’s better to splurge the $20 just to be on the safe side.
Rabies – A core vaccine… and I really don’t think I need to argue that this is necessary, since this vaccine is required by law.
While films like Cujo or Old Yeller can give you a stylized idea of what happens; it’s not too far from the truth. I will go into what happens if a pet is NOT vaccinated for rabies in another article.
So is it necessary? You really have to ask?
Leptosporosis – This is NOT a core vaccine, and is limited by a pet’s risk of exposure. Lepto is usually spread though the infected urine of wild animals, so deer, raccoons, rats, skunks, etc… Lepto IS treatable, but can really mess up the liver and kidneys if not caught in time. Boosted once in 3-4 weeks and every year.
So is it necessary? If your pet is going to be hiking or camping or anywhere where there is wildlife, it’s probably a good idea to ask your vet.
Lyme – Also not a core vaccine and is limited by exposure. Transmitted through tick bites, and while it is treatable can mess up the kidneys. So it’s highly recommended again with hiking/camping or anywhere your pet can pick up ticks.
So is it necessary? Again if your pet will be going anywhere where they can get ticks, it’s a good idea to get this along with Lepto. Besides your pet should already be on a flea and tick prevention product like Frontline or Revolution.
Coronavirus – Not usually a core vaccine, but this one varies on location. It’s similar to Parvovirus, and is transmitted through infected stool. It’s nasty and also requires hospitalization to isolate the pet and give supportive care. But this will vary by location. I learned about this is school, however, I have not seen any hospital that I’ve worked for use it. However I know it is given elsewhere.
So is it necessary? – Depends on your location. If your vet recommends it, I would listen and get it to be safe.
So concludes my first article for VTV. I will cover Cat vaccines in my next one. Please leave a comment as to how you liked this, and how I can improve it.
It is always a pleasure when cat owners have a furry friend in their corner to give them a comforting feeling during depressing times. But what if the cats are suffering silently in pain due to some external factors that are not in their control? Isn’t it the duty of the owner to ensure that their pet does not suffer from these pesky parasites? It is an extremely uncomfortable sight when the pet is suffering.
Keeping this in mind, there are loads of flea prevention treatments available in the market today. Some of them are topical, while others are in the form of ointments, tablets and even flea bombs. Each of the products has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example; topical treatments cannot be used when the cat wants to go in the water while oral treatments can help in this respect. Flea bombs work when the cat is in the house, but as soon as they step outside it is a different ball game altogether.
One such treatment that is highly effective in keeping fleas in check is Comfortis. It comes an oral chewable form with beef flavour that is loved by cats. So the question is why should you go for this product? Let us find out the reasons:
Comfortis comes in a great tasty flavour which is loved by even the fussiest of cats. Hence, there is no need to force your cat to eat this tablet. Simply mix it in the food or give it orally and avoid the inconvenience of topical treatments.
It is the first beef flavoured tablet for flea prevention in Australia.
It consists of Spinosad as an active ingredient that starts causing muscle contractions and tremors in fleas resulting in activation of motor neurons causing paralysis and death of fleas.
It is a monthly treatment that starts working in half an hour after administration by eliminating fleas that are feeding on your kitty. It kills 98-100% fleas within 4 hours of administration.
It is recommended for cats and kittens of at least 14 weeks of age and 2 pounds of body weight.
Kills fleas before they eggs on your cat
No need to keep your feline separate from other pets. They can go and play with you and other pets after ingesting the tablet.
Prevents flea infestation in cats and prevents different flea infested diseases like Flea Allergy Dermatitis
It is one of the most recommended flea prevention treatments by veterinarians in Australia. If you still have any doubts about this effective treatment, then get in touch with your veterinarian and clear your doubts today. Get this flea preventive treatment at a never-seen-before price at an online pet supplies store near you!!
You must be wondering why do border collies lick so much. I’m sure it happened to go see a friend and as soon as you opened the door a dog came out and started licking your face like crazy. Or maybe you yourself have a dog that has to lick you every time you come home or when you pet him. This is a habit that all breeds have, even border collies. What you must know is that it’s absolutely normal for a border collie to lick, because it’s his way of greeting you, although not everyone thinks the same. That’s why you should never punish him for this.
Why do border collies lick so much?
Border collies use their tongues in order to investigate the environment they live in. That’s the reason why this part of their body is vital to them. They use it to taste food, discover new animals and people, and show their love. But, sometimes excessive border collie licking can be rather annoying when he suddenly comes out of nowhere and starts showing his affection.
For this reason, you should start understanding your border collie licking habit. Most of the time it means that he’s affectionate, but the meaning is not always the same. It could also be a sign of various behaviors. You just have to observe its licking and figure out the cause.
Do border collies lick a lot?
As stated before, a border collie would normally lick because he wants to be affectionate and show his commitment and love. You can realize this because his body is relaxed and he has a happy and joyful mood. The dog could also lick because he’s anxious or stressed. In case he feels unhappy because of a certain problem, he can be obsessive with such behavior. To help him get rid of this habit you can take him out to do more exercise or you can pay him more attention. In some rare cases, the dog can also lick people because he’s spoiled.
But why do border collies lick so much is there can be with excessive licking? A border collie licking can also be the cause of some health problems. This may happen because you don’t give him enough water or the food you give him doesn’t have enough nutrients. Try to include more vitamins in his diet and always provide him with fresh water daily. He may also have ticks or worms. This often causes skin irritations that make him lick others.
To avoid this you have to always give him worming treatments. Learn how to deworm your dog or puppy. For some people, not precisely the owners but the visitors or friends, a border collie licking can be quite disgusting. They often think that the dog’s bacteria can easily be transferred to them and thus get certain diseases. That’s why you should try to change his behavior. You cannot stop him from licking, but you can limit this habit. That depends of course, on the reason.
What you can do is come home a little earlier or just find some free moments to give him some play time, grooming and exercise. In case the border collie licks you because he’s happy let him do it and don’t punish him. But, if you really don’t like it you can change your body language and the dog will immediately understand. For example, you can walk away or you can say a “No” command every time he wants to lick you. Be calm, don’t shout and have patience until your border collie finally understands.
why does my border collie lick me so much? If you are annoyed and start asking this then remember that this is their natural behavior. However, if he is licking you much more than usual try to figure out the reason and then solve the problem.
