Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - flea collar ok?

This is kind of a silly question but is it ok for Charlie to wear a flea collar? Should I ask the vet?

carol wa

Carol, I would definitely not use one on my dog right now. I have used Revolution and Advantage on Kahlu before AIHA, but only when I saw fleas on him, never to prevent them. Right now I am saying I will never use those products again, but then talk to me when he is covered in fleas. I think I would try something more natural, but don't ask me what. There is a Naturopathic Vet in our area that I might consult if the need arises. I just don't want anything toxic on my dog if I can help it. Going through this again is just too scary. I know there are more natural ways to get rid of fleas, I just don't know if they are effective. I have never used them. Best wishes to you and Charlie, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

Carol, My holistic vet recommends using flea shampoo, but I do not agree with her. I don't want to use any chemicals on my dog. I use the flea/tick comb daily on Darcy and bathe her occasionally with oatmeal shampoo for dry skin. I have been trying Burts Bees, which is all natural and safe for humans and pets. Have also used the Liquid Net for pets and it is all natural botanicals, too. Haven't found any fleas or ticks yet. We're keeping our paws crossed! I don't know if you have a yard, but, if you do, you might want to check out the Liquid Net Yard Spray. I ordered some, but haven't yet received it. I'm trying to keep the grass cut short, since I've read that is very important in flea and tick control. All of the Liquid Net products can be purchased on the Liquid Fence website. I have been using their products for two years to protect my garden from deer and rabbits and that's how I found out about their line of pet products. Sorry. You asked about flea collars. My local health food store carries a small line of pet products and they have all natural dog and cat flea collars. Haven't tried those yet. I did purchase the brewers yeast and dried garlic wafer treats, which are supposed to help ward off fleas. I know that raw and cooked garlic is bad for dogs, but the folks at the health food store say that dried garlic is different and they have been giving the wafers to their dogs for a long time. Good luck and I hope this info helps. Karen

Karen NC

Will the chemicals cause a relapse? I found a couple fleas and have always used a collar on my other dog. I'm not in control over my yard where I rent.

carol wa

My vet has said that Maidson is to have no flea treatment/vaccinations/worming ever again. This is what casued her AIHA in the first place. i will stick to her rules and that includes flea shampoo. Not sure what i will use if she ever gets fleas but she hasnt had them before so hopefully she wont get them. Maybe try something natural??

Samantha Perth Australia

I do not want to sound like I am a paranoid nut, but I say NO CHEMICLES! No flea collars, no chemically laden shampoos, no sprays, no Advantage or topical tick or flea treatments. There is no definite cause for AIHA but we have to remember that our dogs have weakened immune systems. Any exposure to chemicals risks relapse. If ticks and fleas are a problem, try using some of the natural recipes that are available on the web for citrus flea repellants. Also (I know this can be time consuming) try a flea comb and manually remove ticks and fleas. SUE

Susie Delaware

Like I said, I would not use anything containing chemicals, like the regular flea collars. Never again inside or out on my dog. The things I mentioned are all natural with ingredients like citronella oil, cedarwood oil, lemongrass, peppermint,clove, that sort of thing. I strongly advise using a flea comb daily because that will take care of any eggs that might be there.

Karen NC

Thanks for all the advice! We have a local holistic pet store that has a garlic brewers yeast powder that makes the blood unappealing to fleas. I'm going to ask the vet about what he thinks. I'm not going to get collars anymore its not worth the risk. The brand of the powder is snooks and they are Oregon based and all organic! Snookdog.com

carol Vanc wa

Our doctor also warned us to use no chemicals on Casper coz it may trigger a relapse. Has anyone heard of diatomaceous earth? Someone said to try it out. But so far I have not found anyone who has actually tried it. Here is what I found on the internet http://www.ehow.com/how_4702013_control-fleas-diatomaceous-earth.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

leslie ca

I talked to my vet and he said that the garlic powder is fine but it wouldn't prevent fleas. He recommended frontline and said it has been tested extensively and does not cross the nervous and immune systems. He. Said that he uses it on his own dog. I'm still nervous about it but I totally trust him.he did say the cheaper brands a very harsh and he would not use them

carol Vanc wa

But it isn't it Frontline that made so many dogs on this list sick? I am sure it is ok on a healthy dog, but on one that has had AIHA? I have a friend who has used Revolution on her dogs for a long time and she tried to convince me, that I could safely use it on Kahlu. Her argument, I have four dogs, I can't have fleas. My answer: I would gladly take the fleas over AIHA... I would not use it and error on the side of caution. Best wishes, Brigitte & Kahlu

Brigitte BC Canada

I think i am going to try the garlic powder brewers yeast stuff first and see how it goes. We are stopping the azathiaprine in two weeks and then we are going to start working on the prednisone. Maybe the fleas wont be bad in the great northwest this year. After reading the archives about frontline, im scared! thanks everyone!

Carol J vanc wa

I'm using Preventic tick collar on my dog by recommendation of the vet who said that tick borne diseases are one of the most common causes of AIHA relapse. We have lots of ticks where we live - many are tiny deer ticks that you can't even see to remove. I'm sure the collar is a risk factor in itself, but the quality of life issue of runs in the woods, etc. are really important to me.

Leslie

leslie, i would think that the collar is less risky than the chemicals like frontline. how long has your dog been sick, is he still on meds? i have always used a collar on my other dog but just want to be safe with the imha dog cj

Carol vanc wa

http://www.nrdc.org/health/poisonsonpets/

Jan PA.

Hi Carol, My dog was diagnosed in December 2008, and is slowly tapering off meds and recovering well for now. The veterinary hospital discharged him with instructions to use the Preventic collar but not Frontline which I had been using regularly. These decisions are hard, and I so understand your caution. -Leslie

Leslie

leslie, charlie was diagnosed in jan 2009 and is on 20 mg of pred everyday and 50 mg of azathiaprine every other day. we are stopping the azathaprine after 3 more doses. I dont have a flea problem, but i will if i dont do something about it. I have extremely sensitive skin and have terrible reactions to flea bites. My vet, who is an internal specialist and is totally not the type to just sell a product recommended frontline, he also knows that it really makes me nervous. I didnt ask him about the collars. Charlies imha was most likely brought on by his rabies vaccine he received before i adopted him in january. He was actually adopted twice before and returned before i got him. he may have had 2 rabies shots who knows. I'm still on the fence about what to do. I'm not going to get the frontline, one it is expensive and i have never used it before. I might try the garlic brewers yeast pills and see what happens, then go for the collar if its not controlled. cj

carol vanc wa

Hi Carol, Sounds like Charlie must be doing pretty well if you're tapering the meds - really glad to hear that! I think the Preventic collar only works for ticks --at least that's what the box seems to indicate. You should ask your vet about it though. I can understand your concern about fleas given your own sensitivity. These are some hard decisions to make when it comes to prevention. My experience is that the vets we've gone to give the best information they have, and seem to respect owner's decisions. I worry about giving my dog heartworm meds too, but there are lots of mosquitos in PA as well. Sigh. -Leslie

Leslie

i would not. they are toxic and potentially ruin animals health...

josh california

This thread was discussed between 21/05/2009 and 29/05/2009

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