Joseph Max Lewis - Collie Rescue - and some Do's and Don'ts regarding flea control!

For over 15 years I’ve been involved in Collie Rescue including adopting the more difficult to place males that have gone stray. For those not familiar with the breed, Male Standard Rough Hair Collies (like Lassie) go about 80 to 85 lbs and are covered with a thick, beautiful double lair coat which attracts fleas and ticks like a magnet.

Here are some dos and don’ts regarding flea control. AS ALWAYS, CONSULT A VET!!!

DO’S: Talk to your vet first. In the end it’s your decision and though new agey type vets will try to sell you product, you must still get their input first. Personally, I use and have always used an old fashioned flea collar. Make double sure you get and defer to Vet advice if you have a dog that’s already on meds, is weak, old, a puppy, pregnant, sick, nursing, or has a history of adverse reactions to meds. Buy your flea remedies from a vet or big box retailer. There’s some real junk out there, especially online. Knock off meds and remedies can hurt or kill your dog. Watch for signs of an adverse reaction, redness, skin irritation, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, trembling, depression, agitation or seizures. If that happens, yank the collar. If you’re using a topical, wash the dog with just a touch of soap, then rinse and rinse and rinse while you’re on the phone with the Vet. If you use oral flea prevention and get a bad reaction I have no idea what to do besides calling the Vet - it’s one of the reasons I don’t like intrusive stuff - what can you do?

DON’TS: Don’t use cat or other meds or remedies on dogs, it can hurt or kill them. Don't administer anything more than once and only within the instructions. Know how much your dog weighs and dose ONLY as recommended. Don’t guess or try to save money. Follow the instructions. Anything else is an over dose!

Joseph Max Lewis josephmaxlewis.com author of The Diaries of Pontius Pilate, Separation of Church and State and Baghdad Burning.

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Joseph Max Lewis served as a member of an Operational Detachment in the U.S. Army's Seventh Special Forces Group, the storied Green Berets. During his service Lewis received antiterrorist training and his detachment was tasked to "Special Projects." Afterward, he served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course. Lewis attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the University of Tel Aviv in Israel, and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving degrees in International Politics and Law while being certified in Middle East Studies.

After living and studying abroad, first in the Middle East and then Southeast Asia, Lewis returned home to practice law. He’s a columnist in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator and author of The Diaries of Pontius Pilate, Separation of Church and State and Baghdad Burning. He currently lives, writes, and practices law in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.