tick prevention

Question
I would like to know if it is safe to use Frontline and Sentry Natural Defense Natural Flea and Tick Spray at the same time. I am interested in trying this combination because although Frontline will kill the ticks it does not repel them. Sentry Natural Defense Flea and Tick spray has the following active ingredients:  peppermint oil,cinnamon oil,lemon grass oil,clove oil and thyme oil.

Answer
Wendy,
There are no safe chemicals. As a conventional veterinarian for years, I was always surprised at the negative reactions I got in some animals when flea and tick chemicals were used. Now I even see some negative reactions to essential oils, often because they are not food grade, organic. Once I learned the holistic perspective, I realized that each animal is different, has a different vibrational pattern (Qi, vital force, pranna, etc) and therefore it is best to try one thing at a time, and evaluate the early warning signs of illness (www.theAVH.org - go to articles) to see if there has been a negative impact. If both seem ok individually, you can try them together. There should be no problem from using both, though I would not use the oils for 4 days after giving the frontline, just to be sure.

I would stay away from Sentry, but try VEtri-Repel from VeteriScience, or make your own from Young Living Essential Oils or Forever Green Oils. www.Cedarcide.com has good products, too.

Also, it is fine to pick off a tick or two during the year. We have found that fleas do not usually bother healthy dogs, so the goal is to restore health and not use Frontline. Sign up for my newsletter and get a free report on preventing fleas naturally, and read earlier posts on all experts (I will get my computer connected soon - waiting for Tech support) for the 7 keys to health.

Hope this gives you a bit more to think about.