Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Dear Dr. Fox:

I'm having a difficult time finding information on holistic flea, tick and mosquito control.

My husband and I have a beautiful 2-year-old female Airedale. Every topical flea control that we have ever used causes her to become lethargic for as long as 48 hours. When I try to discuss this concern with our current vet, her comment is "There's no real harm being done." I just feel that there has to be something "natural" I can use instead of pesticides. Any information you could give us would be greatly appreciated.

B. & S.K., Fort Myers, Fla.

I do not appreciate your veterinarian's response since I have received many letters from readers whose dogs and cats have had serious, occasionally fatal, reactions to the new brands of flea and tick drugs. They should not be used when an animal like yours has an adverse reaction. The animal's immune system and thyroid function could be harmed and neurological problems may develop.

A holistic approach to flea and tick control for dogs and cats includes daily checking with a flea comb and dunking trapped insects in a bowl of warm, soapy water; vacuuming the house every week thoroughly and covering any sofa or carpet where the dog likes to lie with a throw-cloth that should be laundered weekly; removing brush and dead vegetation from the yard; one teaspoon of brewer's yeast (not baker's or breadmaking yeast) in the food; and daily spraying with a watery solution of any floral-scented shampoo, rubbed into the coat and let air-dry. When fleas are out of control, a relatively safe shampoo with pyrethrin is usually helpful.

Two other useful treatments for specifically dogs (not cats) are putting chopped fresh garlic in the animal's food every day -- 1 clove for a 40-pound dog, and when going outdoors, a light rub with oil of citronella or peppermint will help repel insects.

Dear Dr. Fox:

I love feeding and building houses for the wonderful birds that surround my home. Over the years, we have attracted many species, which is why my two beautiful Siamese cats are never allowed outside. Unfortunately, other cats from the neighborhood are also attracted. When I find where one of these cats lives, I gently confront the owners. Sometimes this works, but allowing one's cat to wander is not illegal.

Do you have any suggestions for helping my yard to become a place that stray cats will view as highly unfriendly and uninviting? I will send your response to those whose cats wander and need to be educated.

C.B.S., Salisbury, Md.

One remedy is to adopt a puppy or an adult dog who is comfortable around cats so your Siamese cats won't be intimidated. Adult cats adjust surprisingly well to having a dog share their home, and they often develop wonderful relationships with other pets.

Letting the dog out at random intervals into your back yard will be a major deterrent to feline intruders.

Alternatively, if your cat-owning neighbors refuse to stop their cats from roaming on to your property, you can put up a "cat fence" around your yard that has the top angling outward so that cats can't climb over. A strip of fine-gauge chicken wire about two feet wide attached to the top of a regular fence and angled outward at 45 degrees from the vertical, with a thick strand of wire to keep the outer edge taut, should suffice.

You may also want to advise your irresponsible cat-keeping neighbors that free-roaming cats not only kill birds and other wildlife, but can bring home many diseases like rabies, toxoplasmosis, ringworm and Lyme disease, and can die from diseases like feline leukemia and AIDS they may contract from other cats.

Michael Fox, author of many books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. Write to him in care of United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

2005United Feature Syndicate Inc.