[quackersinfrance]

Just wanted to share a home remedy that is working well for my dog.
The heat of summer brings scratching and "hot spots" to lots of dogs.
Our boy, Phoenix, had an allergic reaction to the chemicals in a flea/tick collar.
He ended up with sores and scabs and very red skin.
He was nibbling/biting his skin and scratching like crazy.
After visiting the vet and researching the internet I found a "recipe" and added a couple of aromatherapy oils.

Now, Phoenix is a much happier boy, the nibbling/biting has stopped completely and the scratching is greatly reduced.
No more scabs or sore spots and greatly reduced patches of red skin;

This isn't a total flea/tick repellant, though I have found one - chemical free -  on-line to try, but it does make for a happier dog without the potential allergic reaction to chemicals and it definitely soothes irritated skin.

(Different things work for different dogs and it may not be the answer for everyone but as it has helped our boy so much I thought I'd share it as it may help).

Slice one whole lemon and add to a pint of nearly boiling water.
Leave to steep overnight.
Drain liquid and add a few drops of Citronella aromatherapy oil
   plus  a few drops of Lavender aromatherapy oil.
Parting hair and making sure you get directly to the skin, sponge onto your dog  -  either in problem spots only or on his/her whole body.

This skin tonic is gentle enough to use every day if required. 

[Old Shep]

thank you for this quackers - very interesting.  I may try it on our ancient collie who is scratching like mad now the pollen has started again.

[jaykay]

I use something similar on the goats in the summer to try to keep away the midges a bit 

[NickiWilliams]

Aloe gel is great for putting on externally and Aloe gelly is fantastic to keep skin irrituations to a minimum - its not cheap but it is worth its weight in gold!!

Quakersin France - we also have a similiar one in which we add lemon balm and rosemary too - great for horses as well :-)

[Bill the brew]

I may just try that as I have 3 dogs and it costs a lot with frontline and they still get ticks, sound like it smells nice too, may dab some behind my ears if it stops them dam midges! (plague of living in Scotland)

[Moleskins]

Check with your vet on this but I'm thinking Frontline treats ticks once they've bitten Advantix prevents them from biting.

[Bill the brew]

Thanks for that moleskins, they seem not too bad at the mo, only an odd tick, I had one once and thought it was a mole as it was on my back where I could not get to it, the Dr had to take it off...a little embarrasing as I did not have a clue at the time...