[volito]

ok searched forums and didn't quite find an all around answer. So I decided to bundle a few question in one topic....forgive me if they where answered a million time....

Male Maltese
Name - Mickey
age- almost 7 months
neutered -yes
all shots - yes

Summary-Ok Mickey just loves outdoors etc..grass,sand,beach water,a little bit of swimming...He recently had a itch and shake in his ear from one of the above so I got some ear cleaning solution "3 steps for dogs with floppy ears and swimmers" and seemed to go away. No sign of mites ,infection or anything.....

my questions are if my dog loves these things how can I protect him from...


1-running through and on grass a lot - "tic ,fleas"

2-running on sand-"guess he would learn not to eat on his own" any other dangers I should know?maybe sand in ears....

3-Ok I read most Maltese's don't like water "but guess what Mickey loves the beach water"...If I dry and use the 3 step ear lotions will this help avoid problems after going in water and swimming a bit? "also guess he will learn not to drink salt water on his own...



Ok ill leave it at this for know just wanted some input on this because the little guy just loves going to the park and beach and this is his every day routine.....


thanks for any advise

 

[sarnoak]

I can only add input for the Fleas, but I'm interested to see what others have to say.

Ramsey is a water dog as well. Because of this I cannot use Advantage or any of the topical flea treatments (I've tried and usually 2 weeks in he's got them again). So I use Comfortis and it works wonders! In the first 30 minutes Fleas are gone.

 

[jmm]

If you have a flea and tick problem and need a chemical solution, I would use:
For fleas only: Comfortis or Advantage
For fleas and ticks: Frontline
Be careful of your dog eating sand. It can cause an obstruction.
Lots of Maltese enjoy the water. I would recommend a single step cleaner that also dries. I use Animal Pharmaceuticals cucumber melon.

 

[volito]

Ill check out the cucumber lemon for the ears. As for fleas no problem was just wondering if I needed preventive step as he plays in grass a lot. Sand he might get some down as he just gets so excited when he gets on it. Been keeping him away from water just to make sure the ear 3 step cleaner helped and it wasn't anything more.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[volito]

Ill check out the cucumber lemon for the ears. As for fleas no problem was just wondering if I needed preventive step as he plays in grass a lot. Sand he might get some down as he just gets so excited when he gets on it. Been keeping him away from water just to make sure the ear 3 step cleaner helped and it wasn't anything more.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[maltlovereileen]

Maltese are pretty hardy little dogs, IMO, as far as them being able to run around outside. They love it - especially when they're puppies like yours! As long as you have some kind of flea/tick prevention (and heartworm if you are in an area where they get heartworm), I wouldn't worry about him playing in sand, water, grass, etc... Our first malt was a beach bunny too, but he didn't like the water, so you're lucky! Just running in the water shouldn't get water in his ears...because they are flop earred, I put ear cleaner/dry drops (an all in one) after baths (sounds like you found one already)...if you are worried, you could do so after a beach jaunt too! I would love to see pics!!! Sounds like he's livin the good life!!!

 

[Hunter's Mom]

We have such a tick problem here in New England and while you have gotten GREAT advice concerning treatments here are a few things that I do make sure that ticks don't stand a chance in our home.

1. Keep your grass cut short at all times
2. whenever you go on a walk, always do a FULL check when you get back. I first use a pin brush and then a fine comb making many parts throughout the fur to search against the skin.
3. Take extra time to check the legs, arm and leg pits, and muzzle.
4. If you find a tick - dab it with rubbing alcohol - it cleans the area before you attempt to remove and some will say that loosens the tick's hold.

These are just suggestions but they are what we do each day and it really does help when you live in an area where there are a lot of ticks. Another thing that often hard to remember is that it takes roughly 24 hours of a good and firm bite to transfer lyme disease and frontline kills before that 24 hours so there is that added line of protection if you happen to miss on (which does happen no matter how careful you are - those little buggers are tiny and like to hide!).

 

[spookiesmom]

For fleas, I use Confortis. Around here the fleas seem to be immune to the topicals. We haven't been to the beach yet, and it's only 5 min from me! My Poodles always liked the water, one would dive for rocks. She never actually drank the salt water, never got sick from any, or seem to get ear issues. They all had heavily feathered ears.

I buy the 2-10# size of Confortis, and my vet said to cut it in half for Spookie. Cuts my cost down too!

 

[Jayne]

I noticed that a few of you use Comfortis for fleas.. I have a dog that is sensitive to frontline or any of the other topicals I have used, and had very bad burns on her skin because of it. Not that I really needed anything in Idaho, but I visited Florida and used it when we traveled.. I now live in Florida, and as we all know, the flea is Floridas state pet.. A week ago I talked to my vet about Comfortis for Miss sensitive Kiley. He suggested that I not use it because he said that it is a very strong poison and too harsh for small dogs.. Kiley is 15 lbs. That leads me to wonder about my little malts who are much smaller than that.. He recommended that I use Vectra 3D instead.. I'm really afraid to use anything at this point.. Has anyone had any experience with this product.. My doctor said he has had very good results and no reactions.. Still... I'm afraid....

 

[volito]

Thank you all for the great advise ! "yes the little guy is living the life" He just love the beach and park has tons of doggie friends over there. "great crowd". They also suggested I get some heart worm and flea protection so they must know the area good. I am currently thinking of using front line for flea and tic, not sure on heart-worm still researching and have to ask vet....

PS "will try to upload some pics of Mickey at the beach and water" hard to get as he goes nuts there LOL

The ear solution seemed to work the next day so i am assuming it was from the swim and will continue using the cleaner and drying lotion...

Thanks again for all the great advise....Let me go give a quick check. we just got back from a 2 hour romp at park and beach lol