My shep stays outside most of the time; certainly now since the weather is cooler.
However he has flies all over him. I spray him with bug spray but it does not work. Thereis no food outside but the flies are attracted to him.
I remember as a kid my uncle would spray his horses with something to keep flies away.
Any ideas on what to use?
Thanks

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 10:52 am:

Annie, I don't know what kind of "bug spray" you are using, but if it isn't vet approved, I urge you to stop using it. Scott's in class until 5:30 or 6 today.

By Annie2 on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 11:05 am:

Ginny, thanks. It is regular bug spray for kids. I had to spray him off so he could come into the house.
I called my vet and am waiting for the call back.
The poor thing is being attacked!
They are biting flies and are eating up the tops of his ears. This happened last fall, too, but they are abundant this year.
He's clean, no food outside, just him.
I'll let Scott know what my vet recommends.

By Annie2 on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 11:50 am:

My vet called back. There is an Rx cream that I have to put on the shep; his body and ears. It only costs $8.00.
I'll pick it up today. Not sure of the name of it; but my vet stated that many people are having the same problem that I am having in the last few days.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 12:27 pm:

Well, you got the best advice there is - a vet who knows the dog and knows the area and the current problems. $8 is cheap if it protects him.

The problem with things like bug spray for kids is that so often they are labeled "not for consumption" - and dogs lick themselves and each other.

By Scott on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 07:09 pm:

Many pest repellants contain ingredients that are toxic to animals. Eight bucks may be a bit much to pay for what seems to be simple insect repellant, but it's cheaper than an emergency visit to the vet and a week-long hospital stay - or worse, a cremation.

If I could get people to remember one thing about taking care of their animals, that thing would be "do not ever, ever, ever use any human medicines, cosmetics or anything of the sort on animals without the express approval of a veterinarian or certified veterinary technician or technologist." Animals have markedly different physiology than ours. Substances innocuous to us can be lethal to our pets.

By Annie2 on Friday, October 3, 2008 - 07:52 pm:

Thanks Scott for getting back to me. I usually do not use human things on the dogs but the flies were attacking him. And i had to get him into the house.
After I wrote you I took my Pap and the shep outside within seconds he was covered again but they didn't bother me or my Pap.
He is in the house for tonight and I will pick up the Rx in the am. I'll let you know what it is.