natural preventive medicine

**Rhiamon** · 05-26-2010, 08:54 AM

So I have a dog who is my best friend in the whole world, we got him when we were more financial stable. Now I can't afford to take him to the vet right now for his check up. I was wondering if anyone had advice on natural preventive medicine for things such as heartworm, fleas, prevent worms etc? He got his rabies shot last year so I know he is good until next year. I know there must be something because what did people use to do before vets.

**Molemommy** · 05-26-2010, 11:29 AM

I use essential oils for flea and tick prevention. tea tree, citronella, lavender, and geranium oil are a few and work very well to keep them away (infact knock on wood I have never had a flea on them)
also have read on I believe it is earth clinic that organic apple cider vinigar works well on all those inside icky things... depending on there weight you put it in there water.

**craftypam** · 05-26-2010, 12:46 PM

While you need to get a heartworm test before giving heartworm medication; there is an online place Drs Foster and Smith who sell it cheaper than the vet. Even if you can't get it now; you can use this info if you'd like for future.

**MTS04** · 05-28-2010, 11:02 AM

Above all, don't skip the heartworm treatment. Talk to your vet about lack of funds. They might be able to advise you on where to get HW meds for less.
Heartworm is painful, the treatment, even more so. Ivomec can be given in place of HW pills, but you need the dosages spelled out for you. If your dog is a mutt and you're not sure which breeds are there, be careful. The collie breeds can have a genetic sensitivity to ivomec.

Wishing you the best.

**MTS04** · 05-28-2010, 11:04 AM

Whoops, also wanted to add...

If you've given the HW pill faithfully every month and haven't skipped, a HW test may not be nescessary. IF you've missed a dose, 6 months or more, then get the hw test. THe hw antigen isn't testable until 6 months post -potential infection.