DIRT

[Chickerdoodle13]

I actually think bravecto is a great product! I don't often offer it to my clients though because not everyone can remember to give it every three months. I use Nexgard now (but mostly because I can get it free from school) and that is basically the same as bravecto. Both are excellent products. I'm hoping when I'm done with school I'll be able to afford either one!

The people that I've spoken with who use the seresto collars REALLY like them. I don't like it for my dog because she tends to be sensitive with collars on, and I didn't want her to scratch it off. They do have to be against the skin though. They don't necessarily work with friction, but the molecules in the collar are activated when they touch the dog or cat's skin. Some people don't like that they have to be rather snug and dogs with long fur can have issues. Sometimes we recommend just shaving a bit of fur around the neck but not everyone wants to do that either.

Overall I think the oral tablets are the best in terms of efficacy. They are systemic so they don't rely on skin oil and you can bathe your dog as much as you want.

Sounds like you got parasites pretty well covered though! I would say a little dirt won't hurt a baby! I'm sure you will work out something once the baby is here and you can better gauge your comfort level!

 

[BeccaaStancil]

We're almost the same as far as selling to our clients, they love the bravecto because "oh! It lasts for THREE whole months!!" But then they come back for the next dose 7 months later. We try to get people to buy a years worth at their annual check ups and for most it works because they get a pretty good deal with it, but there's always the people who only buy one flea pill once a year, usually in the summer... No matter how many times we tell them that fleas are present more than just one month out of the year... And heartworm prevention is important also, they just don't believe us and think we're just taking their money. Are you studying for vet tech or veterinarian? @Chickerdoodle13

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Yep, I've heard the same! So many people only do seasonal heartworm but I've found mosquitoes in my apartment when it's negative degrees out! Heartworm isn't super prevalent in this area but it's becoming more common with all the southern dogs coming up for adoption and also all the students from other parts of the states. I just think monthly preventative is much cheaper and safer than the treatment for heartworm! It's hard to convince people of that though.

I'm studying to be a vet right now and I started my fourth year! The end is finally in sight and I'm really excited. I'm working through my clinical year now and it's a nice change from classes and tests. My goal is to work in the poultry industry though, but I'm still learning lots about all the other non-feathered species!

Do you work in a mostly small animal clinic? It's always nice to meet others in the field!

 

[User395221]

Solutions? No, the only solution is not to let them in the house. I used to be very finicky when I was young, having pets takes that out of you if you want to cuddle them and let them inside.

Helpful aids? A few.

1. Roomba. I have not only dogs and cats, but I have my birds inside. A certain amount of seed and chewed paper and kibble gets thrown out of the cage. You'd be amazed what Roomba can do. I thought it'd be like an "extra" and I'd still need to use the "proper" vacuum, but roomba sucks up everything. It's a miracle device.

2. With mats, there is a type of mat that's microfibre or something. They advertise that it miraculously sucks mud off your feet. Yeh, right. Except it really does trap a lot of the sand which would otherwise get brought in. https://www.bigw.com.au/product/homezy-clean-step-mat/p/WCC100000000264503/ I have a light/whiteish tile in my laundry and I noticed the difference with how much garden the dogs dragged in across the mat.

3.Dusty air dirt. I have an "air washer", it's an air filter that you fill with water and it is supposed to suck up dust. I have it in my spare room where I've got my cocky and it helps with the powder she sheds everywhere. There are other air filters, but I got this because I don't have to buy any filters or anything. https://www.beurer.com/web/en/products/air/air_washer.php

 

[BeccaaStancil]

My clinic is a small clinic! But really growing since one of our doctors came to work with us from a much larger much more popular clinic in a busy town... Which isn't bad by no means but we need some expansions.

We try to explain the importance of heartworm prevention especially down here in the south... $10 a month, roughly vs $800-1k for a large dogs heart worm treatment? They sometimes still insist their dog will be fine.

I didn't know what stress was before i worked here. Pet owners are SO mean and never listen. Lol. And I can't tell you how many times I've been yelled at for going over our annual price ($130) and told it shouldn't be that expensive because "it's just a dog!!!" That's so exciting! When I was a kid I always said I wanted to be a vet. I'm not gonna lie, the amount of school is what really changed my mind... Who knows. Someday I may decide I want to go through with the schooling. @Chickerdoodle13

 

[BeccaaStancil]

I can't confine my dogs to a gravel area, they have the whole yard to run and play and they'd go insane if they had a smaller play area my German shepherds especially have to be able to guard the edge of my yard at all times they are outside or they have a MENTAL BREAKDOWN. Need the roomba. ASAP. Thanks for the tips!!! @potato chip

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

6 huge dirty dogs, one new human. The human needs to be the priority, watch those dogs carefully. Don't get any more dogs 6 is really too many, Sorry if this seems kinda judgmental, I guess it is

Gary from Idyllwild Ca here