unwanted pests, and stinky butt

[herdingdogs]

Ruckus (sheltie) has a moderate case of fleas! what is safe to use? i use avantage on my rabbits when they get fleas, can i use that on him too? what do i treat the house, carpets, etc with?

what heartworm preventitives are safe for shelties? how important is it to have a preventitive?

Ruckus has a stinky butt. it smells like fish, does this indicated he needs his anal glands cleaned?

sorry for all the questions, alot is going on! LOL

[ewarp]

As far as fleas go-

Get Advantage, Frontline, or Revolution from your veterinarian. Apply as directed to the dog. For the house, buy Knockout (available at the vet). You can be in the house as can the dog, though I'd doublecheck about bunnies with their sensitive respiratory tracts.

If you'd rather go chemical free, get a flea comb and hop to it. Dip fleas in soapy water and comb daily for 6 weeks.

Check with your vet about heartworm preventative. Heartgard is a commonly available one, though some people prefer Revolution as it takes care of fleas, ticks, mites, and heartworm. It is a must! Heartworm is a serious ailment and it's very easily prevented. IMO, if you live in an area with mosquitos, your dog should be on heartworm preventative.

As far as Ruckus' odor, what is he eating? Has he had a dietary change recently? Is it possible that feces is getting caught in his long fur?

[Kuchi]

Yeah for fleas!!!
For a young pup get what you can from the vet. Getting rid of them in the house is going to be hard. Pretty clean the whole house with what's appropriate (see above). I would clean your bed sheets, any clothes that the pup's been in contact recently. Use the high cycle on the dryer (if it won't ruin your clothing). High heat will kill the fleas.
He isn't too young to start him on a heartgard or similar.
I don't know of a breed that preventatives aren't save on. It's a really simple way to prevent mild to severe diseases from heartworm to other worms. Most people do a heartworm test around 1 year old.

Stinky butt: Most likely diet. I comb through Kuchi's bottom (a few hours after potty). To get rid of any "bits" left behind. Anal glands are usually expressed on their own (while using potty). If he's scooting on his butt or licking the area a lot I would check his anal glands. (groomer, vet)

[herdingdogs]

he is licking his butt a lot. no poop is stuck, he is eating nutro max puppy.
heartgaurd kills collie type dogs, i have a sheltie so i cant use heart gaurd

[Kuchi]

From Heartgard:
Heartgard Plus is the #1 choice of veterinarians for heartworm disease prevention! Heartgard Plus is 100% effective against heartworms; and it controls roundworms and hookworms. Heartgard Plus is approved for use in puppies as young as 6 weeks of age. It is safe for pregnant or nursing females, stud dogs, collies, and dogs with collie genetics. Heartgard Plus has a wonderful beef flavor, and should be chewed rather than swallowed whole.
But if you don't feel comfortable that's fine.

If he's licking his butt a lot, you can check with your vet if you like for the anal glands.

[herdingdogs]

thats the only place i heard heartgaurd was safe
im not using it, i am not argueing with you at all, but i am not going to use heartgard.

Ruckus needs to go to the vet for a check up anyway so i will get the vet to check

thanks

[KennelMom]

hats the only place i heard heartgaurd was safe
im not using it, i am not argueing with you at all, but i am not going to use heartgard.

Understanding WHY some collies can't take Heartguard (really, Ivermectin) is critical here. There are certain lines of collies that are lacking a specific brain protein that makes them sensitive. Not all collies are affected...though dogs descendant from those lines may have some sensitivity to Ivermectin. Not all collies or breeding lines of collies are sensitive to Ivermectin...though about 1/3 are and about half carry the gene.

Just be aware when choosing heartworm preventative..if you choose to avoid Heartguard...you really need to avoid heartworm prevantatives using Ivermectin. There are lots of generic Ivermectin HW preventatives. However, a very simple test is available that will tell you whether or not your dog is homozygous for the gene that causes ivermectin sensitivity. I'd probably have it done just so I know. Dogs that are sensitive to Ivermectin may also be sensitive to other drugs (i.e. immodium)

Interceptor and Sentinel are perfectly safe to use on collies and sheltie if you are concerned about ivermectin sensitivity.

As for flea control...I always keep Capstar on hand. I will kill most fleas on a dog within a couple hours and for sure within 24 hours. It doesn't last long, but if you find fleas I like to pop a Capstar in them right off the bat. For monthly control I like Frontline. And it is safe to Frontline and Capstar a dog on the same day. Do it to greyhounds all the time.

It sounds like your pup may need his anal glands expressed (something I'm MORE than happy to pay a vet to do!). Anal glands should express themselves naturally through the dog's normal bowel movements. If Ruckus' poops aren't very firm, you may want to consider adding some fiber to the diet or switching kibble.

Good luck with your pup! Shelties are a wonderful breed!

[herdingdogs]

TY!!
he has been having soft poops, and tomorrow i am new food buying.

Interceptor is what i have had in the back of my mind.