Expert: Have4Paws - 5/3/2002

Question
My daughter has beagle and he stays in the back yard most of the time but she always brings him in at night. We live in the city but he has full run of the backyard,and we have been finding ticks both on him and in the house. We bought some spray from the vet and she gives the poor thing baths but we still have ticks. Would sure be grateful for any help on this problem.
                             Thank you

Answer
Hi and thanks for writing to me. Poor Buddy, just think how miserable he must be.

Using a tick spray is not enough and usually doesn't work. Buddy needs first of all to be completely deticked. This means every inch literally of his body needs to be checked. Those ticks are sneaky and will hide in incredible places. Then Buddy should be bathed with a dermatitis shampoo to help ease the itching and sore areas. Finally, Buddy needs to be on BIOSPOT. I have found this to be a superior product over all the others (92% success rate)and all three of my dogs are on it. We have not had a flea or tick since they started on this years ago. It is a liquid which is applied directly to the skin of the dog between the shoulder blades. Biospot kills and repels adult fleas for 3-4 weeks, kills flea eggs and larvae for up to 4 months, kills and repels ticks for up to 4 weeks, and protects against blood feeding by mosquitoes for up to 4 weeks. It is also very inexpensive if you purchase it through www.omahavaccine.com. I think I pay less than $5.00 for 3 applications (three months worth)!

When you begin to use the product apply it right after Buddy has had a bath and HAS DRYED. Then do not bathe him for 4 weeks. As a beagle he should be bathed once a month anyway because of the type skin and coat he has using only a mild human shampoo or a dermatitis formula dog shampoo. This should just become a regular routine. I mark it on the calendar every four weeks, bathe them and then put on their BIOSPOT. Then I watch the fun.... it smells like citrus and they hate the smell so they run around the house like buts and rub their backs all over everything (I think it is tingly too at first).

Another medication is something you have to talk to the vet about. It is an oral medication and the vet makes the determination if you are in an area where it is needed. This would be in addition to the BioSpot.

I hope this helps poor Buddy. I think you will have good success with it. Don't forget to check out www.omahavaccine.com, they are about half the price you pay from the vet!

Have4Paws