Bugs. I’m not talking about ants or creepy crawlers. Worse. I’m worried about fleas and ticks. If you have ever discovered a flea or a tick on your pet, you may have experienced panic, alarm and fear all at the same time. The thought of fleas often makes us itchy ourselves. These parasites are not innocuous. Ticks carry a number of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Powassan Virus, Colorado Tick Fever, Bourbon Virus, Heartland Virus, STARI, Tularemia, Rickettsia and more. Fleas can transmit intestinal tapeworms, Cat Scratch Fever, Bubonic Plague, Tularemia and Typhus. Wow!
So, now that you are completely repulsed, what do you do? How do we protect our pets and ourselves? Several doTERRA essential oils are very safe and effective in repelling pests, including fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, gnats and spiders. These essential oils may be used regularly for prevention or after a tick or flea has been discovered. Since essential oils are metabolized quickly, reapplication may be necessary. One great choice is doTERRA’s Terrashield blend spray. Other options for continued protection are essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, Geranium, Cedarwood, Arbor Vitae, Citronella, or Purify. Alternatively, consider soaking your dog’s nylon collar in essential oils as described in the SpOIL Your Pet book or adding a pendant or charm on the collar to continually release essential oils.
Fleas tend to thrive well in carpets, rugs and upholstery. Rather than chemical extermination, spray Terrashield or a combination of the aforementioned essential oils on fabric and carpets daily for 3-4 weeks. Recipes for carpet treatment and room diffuser blends can be found in the book, SpOIL Your Pet. Once a flea infestation is present, vacuum thoroughly daily and wash bedding in hot water. Flea eggs hatch every 2 weeks, so it is important to repeat these efforts for at least 4 weeks. Keep cats indoors or apply a diluted blend of Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, Geranium, Cedarwood, Arbor Vitae, or Myrrh oil daily. For dogs, consider gently petting the legs and underside 2-3 times daily or lightly mist Terrashield spray on the legs and undercarriage.
Remember to protect yourselves, too, as you venture outside. In many areas in the northeast United States, pests are everywhere. So our own backyards can pose a similar risk as a nature hike. Spray yourself with essential oils as well as your dog to keep yourself safe outdoors. In many instances when a tick is found on our pets, we have also been in the same area. Diffusing essential oils is highly effective for enjoyable outdoor dining and protection from pesky gnats, mosquitoes and other pests.
Removing a tick takes patience. A small amount of peppermint essential oil placed near the tick will encourage it to back out of the skin and move away. In that case, carefully lift the tick off with a tweezer or gloves, if available, and dispose of the tick. Do not squeeze or crush it, for you may release the germs it is carrying. Some veterinary laboratories perform disease testing on ticks. If you do not have Peppermint essential oil, or if the tick doesn’t respond as expected, use a pair of tweezers right at the skin to slowly and carefully retract the tick. The tick may bring a bit of skin with it, leaving a wound behind. That is ok as long as you successfully remove all of the tick. If you cannot remove all of the tick, do not continue to pick at the area because you may induce more inflammation, and the remaining part of the tick may become deeper. Call your veterinarian to report your finding and discuss possible disease testing. Flea and tick shampoos may be harsh, irritating, and drying to your pet’s coat. I prefer to avoid these shampoos, if possible.
What signs should I look for in my pet? Fleas usually cause intense scratching, redness of the skin, and scabby lesions, most commonly near the rump and the tail. Ticks prefer areas of the body with less hair such as the ears, face and underside. Tick borne illnesses can cause loss of appetite, lethargy, muscle soreness, or, surprisingly, no signs at all. We routinely recommend testing our dogs annually and 4 weeks after a tick is found since tick borne illnesses are prevalent and do not always present with clinical signs of illness.
Whether you have encountered a flea or a tick on your pet or yourself, protect the whole family by using doTERRA essential oils daily or regularly so you may enjoy the outdoors, your yard, BBQ, cook out or hike safely.
Mia K. Frezzo, DVM
Co-author of SpOIL Your Pet: A Practical Guide to Using Essential Oils in Dogs and Cats
Animal Hospital of Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
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