We were asked by a responsible pet owner about heartworm, flea, and tick prevention for their pets. 

This is tricky, because NO ONE even wants to THINK about creepy-crawly things. So when your vet offers you a "Easy Pill" or a one time "Spot On" treatment to PREVENT all that headache ... it is tempting... 

I will admit, it is tempting ... but, please, for the love of your dog, please keep reading, and then read some more! 

As it turns out, even the FDA issued a warning last Fall - https://www.nbcnews.com/…/flea-tick-pills-can-cause-nerve-r…

Even the product labels are daunting, and warn of dangers:
"If contact with skin or clothing occurs, take off contaminated clothing. Wash skin immediately with plenty of soap and water. Call a poison control center or physician for treatment advice." ... so wait, you put that on to your dog's skin? On purpose?

Not to mention, ANIMAL TESTING (including 7 week old Beagle puppies), resulting in euthanasia! "the dogs experienced neurological signs indicative of avermectin toxicity including depression, ataxia, mydriasis, salivation, muscle fasciculation, and coma, and were euthanized."

Don't take my word for it - Read it yourself!!! - https://bayer.cvpservice.com/product/view/basic/1040052

THE GOOD NEWS???
There are more natural approaches to preventing disease, caused by fleas, ticks, and mosquitos (heart worm travels by mosquito). 

Here are a few articles, re-affirming that the "poison 'em all" approach is too harsh, and there are natural and healthy ways to protect yourself and your pet from creepy-crawlies

Nation Wide (USA numbers, where the climate is a better host to parasites, and ferrel animals are included), "you can see, the nationwide average (which includes high and low prevalence states) is 1.19%."
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/heartworms-in-dogs/

In comparison, the dogs who suffer from serious side effects (everything from vomiting to seizures) from these preventative drugs is ridiculously high! 
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bravecto-nexgard-sim…/

And finally, let's get to the good stuff. The common sense stuff: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-flea-and-tick-pr…/

If you are still reading, I am shocked! I am SO HAPPY, but I am shocked. While most people are happy to spend money to prevent fleas, ticks, and heartworm, it seems like so few people are willing to put in the time to RESEARCH these chemicals we have been putting on, and in to our pets.

THANK YOU (and your pet thanks you) for being the one who is still reading. 

If you made it to the end of this article, share it, so other resposible pet owners can take your lead, and keep researching!!!