How to get rid of flies?

[elmariachino]

Hello,
I live in one of the most warm countries, Saudi Arabia.
Though I managed to create a very nice environment for my 7 months GSD, with the tempreture risisng, hundreds of flies make his life miserable during the day...
Many experimentals to get rid of these pests turned unsuccessful.
The flea and tick spray, a Hartz product, allows to keep them away for some hours, but i guess this is not a good solution.
Please HELP!

[Steph&Wyatt]

Hello elmariachino,
I don't know much about flies, especially in Saudia Arabia, but try going on line and typing in "flies on dogs"I think you might find some answers there.Do you bath your GS?
good luck

[elmariachino]

Hello Stephanie,
A friend of mine just gave the following recipie: in equal quantites, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar + Nice Smelling Liquid Soap (i'll use dog shampoo) + Water. Mixed well and stored in a pray container.
I'll let you know about the result.
Thank You.

[Steph&Wyatt]

hi elmariachino,
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! If that doesn't work they do have remedies online
good luck
Steph & Wyatt

[elmariachino]

hi Steph,
my latest trial was not successful (or at least not efficient enough).
I am going through the net to check for a good product (though most of the suppliers do not deliver overseas).
Today a friend told me that a local equine store sells such products.
Will go to check right after work
Thanks for your concern
George

[Blue]

Hi,
Because of the quantity of flies you're describing, be wary of something called fly strike, especially if your dog gets sick at all or has diarrhea.

My dog growing up was a 13 year old Airedale terrier, we kept her trimmed down during the summer, but one summer about two years before she passed on, she got really really sick - we took her to the vet and she was on meds.

We cleaned her thoroughly after every time she made a mess but it still wasn't enough.

She got fly strike.

Fly strike occurs when flies are attracted to sick/dirty/dying or slow (too slow to avoid or bite the flies away) animals, the flies lay their eggs in the dogs fur. When the maggots hatch, at first they just eat whatever dirt they find in the fur (feces, debris that gets caught, old skin etc) eventually though, they start attacking the dog. It is very hard to see them in dogs with thick fur, you have to dig down past the surface layer.

With our Airedale, she had a traditional Airedale trim - longer fur on the hind legs - and we didn't see them at first.

To make a long story short, we ended up with her at the vets, on a strong dose of antibiotics and her butt was trimmed right down. The vet did not have knowledge of fly strike in dogs until my mum who had researched it, told her about it.

We found out after the vet did more research that we were lucky to have caught it so soon, as often there is the potential for the maggots to enter the dogs body and travel along the spine under the skin - causing paralysis/death.

Because we were not informed of this hazard for long fur dogs, I think it is very important for dog owners to know that this can happen - especially during periods of large populations of flies.

Don't panic or anything! (sorry for the dramatic story!)
Just keep an eye on your dogs health and check it's fur once in a while - especially when sick.

Blue

[elmariachino]

Thank you Blue,

What you just mentioned seems serious.

I am researching day and night for a solution to this nightmare.
As per the hint of Steph i ordered some products online.
And I will prepare tomorrow some home made recipies (Home-made fly repellents for horses).

It's been a couple of days Cheena is having diarrhea in the morning, I think (and I hope) it's because of the night's chilli weather.

Now you opened my eyes to a possible serious problem.

I'm starting a new research about fly strike now.

I know eventually i will find a proper solution for those pests, I just hope it will be the soonest.

Thans once again.

George

[Steph&Wyatt]

Hi George,
Blues right, also if your dog gets a cut or sore they will zero in on it and lay their eggs,do you feed your dog garlic? it seems to help repel insects? also is Cheena ( I like that name) in an area that you can put something around the perimeter? I've heard baggies half filled with water hung in doorways etc... seem to repel flies for some reason( so the old wife's tell goes) we're all rooting for you & cheena I hope he's feeling better, steam some rice and mix w/ his food it helps keep us posted on how he's doing and I will keep checking and asking around about remedies for you
Good luck and keep posting
Steph & Wyatt

[Blue]

I just remembered, aromatic cedar chips are excellent flea/moth/insect repellents, you could try laying some cedar chips down as a "bed" for Cheena.
Mint is also a repellent scent - can you grow mint in your climate?
I also found this link for horse fly repellents - including cedar oils, rosemary and citronella oils...
Natural Fly Repellent Ready to Use
Blue

[elmariachino]

Hi Steph and Blue,
I really appreciate your concern
As for garlic i'm still hesitant about using it as I know it can be deadly for pets.
An old local wiz told about the baggies half filled with water... unseccessful.
I will try the rice thing (i never heard about it before).
Regarding the aromatic cedar ships... porbably I can't find it in Saudi Arabia, but I will order some from homeland (I'm from Lebanon and Lebanon is known for its cedars).
I'm afraid with the desert climate here, growing mint is not possible.
I know already that citronella oil can be very harmful for dogs, but today I am visiting the horse supply store, I hope i will be able to find some good products.

I'll keep you informed about the latest results.

Thank you once again for your help.
George

I checked Wyatt's picture on the forum... handsome boy