Ballyhara Cavachons and Cavapoos

08/04/2025

Super interesting and worth the read if it’s doing this to our wildlife, imagine what it’s actually doing to our dogs

https://www.facebook.com/share/15qv9g7m7U/?mibextid=wwXIfr

PLEASE RECONSIDER GROOMING YOUR DOG WHILST OUT ON WALKS (or in the garden!)

This - along with letting them swim in waterways - could be killing wildlife.


It's that time of year when you see random distributions of dog fluff out on walks.

Kanita is also blowing her coat, and Mohawk has been having a big coat change too recently. There's something very satisfying about gently pulling those loose tufts of hair out. If you know, you know.


I don't blame people for thinking that it's easier to groom a super floofy dog outside to save covering their house in hair- BUT if that dog receives anti-parasitic treatment, this may be harming wildlife.

A study in the Netherlands detected two active substances used in routine pet anti-parasitic treatments in the nests of great t**s- who had collected hair in order to build their nests.

Another study by The University of Suss*x found that screened nests contained 17 out of 20 insecticides screened for. 100% of nests contained fipronil and 89% contained imidacloprid.
A higher number of unhatched eggs and dead chicks were associated with higher numbers of chemicals present in the nests (with dog hair being used to build the nests by the birds).


Many of these chemicals in these treatments are thought to be harmful to birds. It is also thought that they are damaging to insect populations (including bees) as well as contributing to pollution of waterways and damaging aquatic ecosystems - contributed by people letting their dogs swim in ponds, lakes, streams, rivers etc.


If you routinely use parasite control medication on your dog please do not let them swim outdoors (especially soon after treatment) and avoid grooming them outside (or bag up the hair as you groom).

There are some suggestions that oral medications are less damaging, but they don't just sit in the digestive system. They are transported around the bloodstream- which supplies nutrients and oxygen to the whole body. Toxins leave the body via excrement, urine, sweat, hair and skin cells- albeit predominantly via the former two.

Whilst topical treatments pose a greater risk - especially soon after treatment- it cannot be assumed that there is no negative affect from oral treatments. The research identified that dog hair is linked to bird deaths and that specifically states that dogs owned by volunteers donating nests received parasite control via collars, spot on and tablets.
Chemicals from Nexguard and Bravecto were not screened for in the study and thus are not ruled out as safe nor established as harmful (to birds).


The recommended frequency of use of these products continues to be called into question, as is the risk of adverse side effects in pets!

Veternarians are being encouraged to prescribe them based on risk to the individual.
Assessing individual risk is not easy for veternarians to do in the time that they have, so you can help your vet help you by intensively reading information on these products rather than administering them every 1-3 months in blind faith that it's the right thing to do and without consequence.

Our wildlife is in decline and if we care about nature- we all need to do our bit.

That may include reviewing the specific medication you purchase from your vet or you may decide to use them less frequently, such as treating as needed or seasonally (instead of across the year).
You may delay letting your dog swim post treatment for as long as possible, or consider alternative prevention such as worm counts, flea combing or natural repellents (although do note, some ingredients in these could still be toxic to some species of wildlife).


Again, whether to treat or not should be down to INDIVIDUAL RISK. What poses a risk to individuals in one area may differ to others elsewhere.

But it's also your personal choice and I want to make it clear that this post is NOT telling people to NOT treat their pets but simply to be aware of the potential impact of such treatments and to adjust our habits (swimming, grooming outside) accordingly.


Are there other things that damage the environment? Of course.
But this is a page about dogs, so content will be relevant to dogs.

You can use the fact that XY and Z also harm the environment as a justification for doing nothing, or you can consider whether there are small changes you are able to make. The cumulative effect is what causes these issues to escalate, and thus the cumulative effect is also capable of making some positive change.


Note: If you don’t use anti parasitics on your dog & groom them outside, then the hair may be beneficial for the birds. However, do consider that grooming products and other medications may pose a risk - should you use these.

These were the resources linked into the comments, but Ive opted to bring them here for ease. Within some of these you can be linked to the research on this topic and you will find much more detail on this emotive topic.

https://www.suss*x.ac.uk/broadcast/read/66973

https://www.veterinaryirelandjournal.com/small-animal/359-cat-and-dog-parasiticides-and-the-environment

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725000737?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=908a988c1c6d63c1

https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/post/veterinary-drugs-found-in-bird-nests/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/243875/toxic-flea-tick-treatments-polluting-uk/

https://www.pan-uk.org/garden-birds-are-being-poisoned-by-pet-flea-treatments/

https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/managing-land-and-water/water-quality/flea-treatments-and-their-impact-on-water-quality

https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/blog/flea-treatment-toxic-to-wildlife

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/23/flea-treatments-cats-dogs-environmental-hazard

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7738705/

https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/responsible-use-of-parasiticides-for-cats-and-dogs/

https://www.bsava.com/position-statement/parasite-control/

08/04/2025

 I would like to sincerely thank everyone who showed interest in Bentley. He has found a home. Congratulations to his new family.
They are repeat clients and he will be joining his two new brothers also from Ballyhara and be able to be near his littermate sister. 

Meet Bentley he is a Cavachon

We were just informed last night that he was not going to be going home his family is not able to take him.
Bentley is a calm, sweet, gentle soul with a fun playful nature. He is eight weeks old. He’s ready to go home. He has micro chipped up-to-date on all age-appropriate vaccinations and worming. He is also Vet checked.
He is looking for a family to call his own. Message, call or text for more information.

07/23/2025

Meet Laniy

She has already found her new home. Congratulations to her new family.

Cavachon Female.
She is sweet and spunky and a ball of fun. She has the most gorgeous dark eyes.
She is ready to go home August 1

Message me or call for more information and videos

07/18/2025

More studies continue to come out showing the damaging effects of early spay and neuter. Please be your pets advocate.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CwbMm3qYP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

In this study, researchers looked at whether the age at which dogs were spayed or neutered, meaning how long they were exposed to their natural s*x hormones, affected how healthy they were in old age. They studied a group of long-lived pet dogs to learn what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Dogs with the fewest age-related health problems were considered the most “robust.”

The results showed that both male and female dogs who kept their hormones longer (i.e., were spayed or neutered later) were 3 to 10 times more likely to be healthy in old age compared to those altered earlier. Once hormone exposure and age were taken into account, there was no difference in old-age health between males and females.

This study highlights how important s*x hormones may be for staying healthy later in life and shows that early-life decisions—like when to spay or neuter—can have long-term effects on health.

06/25/2025

Charlie

06/25/2025

Charlie the Cavapoo NSF

05/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/184JPwB6pt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Let’s talk about yearly vaccines — because not enough people are questioning them.

We titre test. Every year. Because we want data, not assumptions. And what we’ve found? Most dogs still have strong immunity years after their last vaccine. So why are we still jabbing them annually? Habit? Policy? Profit?

The truth is, over-vaccination is still happening — not because it’s backed by science, but because it’s easier than updating protocols. And too many clinics are afraid to challenge the status quo. That’s not healthcare, that’s lazy medicine.

Titre testing isn’t “alternative” or fringe. It’s evidence-based. It protects immunity and avoids unnecessary immune stress. But try bringing it up in the wrong vet clinic and watch the conversation get awkward real quick.

It’s time more vets started explaining the actual options — not just printing reminders for outdated vaccine schedules.

You don’t need to be anti-vax to be pro-informed choice.

Agree? Disagree? Drop your thoughts. This one needs a proper discussion.

04/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AKNxpiQ67/?mibextid=wwXIfr

DO YOU KNOW WHAT SIGNS OF HARMFUL REACTIONS😿🚑 TO WATCH FOR WHEN USING FLEA & TICK CHEMICALS ON YOUR PET?💊💦

As warmer weather approaches,☀️ it’s time to start thinking about protecting your pet from fleas, ticks, and even heartworm.🦟 When pet owners reach for those flea and tick treatments—whether chewables, spot-ons, or other parasiticide products—many don’t realize that adverse reactions can occur.

That’s why it’s crucial to know the signs and symptoms to look for so you can report any concerns to your veterinarian promptly.
The challenge is that different flea and tick treatments use various chemicals, each with its own potential side effects. For example, isoxazoline, a common insecticide, is highly lipophilic and easily absorbed by the body. It’s been known to cause a range of reactions, including seizures, behavior changes, gastrointestinal issues, and more.

These type of reactions can even happen in humans if ingested as a 2-year-old boy (12 kg), the son of a veterinarian, ingested two chewable tablets💊 and developed an unsteady gait🫨 approximately 50 minutes later. By 2 hours after ingestion, he had ataxia, tremor, confusion and hallucinations. He was sedated with midazolam, and 10 hours after ingestion was only minimally ataxic.

According to a recent study published in Vet Record, “The true incidence of neurological adverse effects from isoxazolines remains unclear. The delay between the administration and onset of signs can be long, and the association may be missed. A lack of timing information in the summary of product characteristics could also contribute to missed attribution of adverse effects.”

This Sunday on the Inside Scoop, we’re kicking off a Flea & Tick Prevention Series with must-know tips on both chemical and natural prevention options. Whether you’re looking for safer chemical solutions or effective natural remedies, our experts will guide you in making the best choices for your pet’s health. We’re launching this series with a team of veterinarians, herbalists, and scientists who will share everything you need to keep your pet safe and healthy this season.

In this first episode you’ll learn:

🦟 The Best to Worst Chemical Preventives: What works, what to avoid, and the safer options for your pet.
🦟 Favorite Natural Strategies: DIY repellents, essential oils, ultrasonic devices, amber collars, and more.
🦟 Combining Chemicals and Natural Solutions: How to effectively blend both methods when necessary for maximum protection.
🦟 Detoxing After Chemical Use: Supplements and protocols to help prevent and minimize adverse reactions when using chemical preventatives.

This is just the beginning! Over the next several weeks, we’ll continue bringing in expert insights on different aspects of flea and tick prevention.

Be sure to join us Sunday at 12pm EST for expert advice from our panel of veterinarians in California, Florida, Arizona, and New York. Each vet will share region-specific insights, from year-round prevention in Florida to managing tick-heavy areas like New York.🌎

Comment SCOOPERS and we'll message you the link to join Inside Scoop, a Planet Paws monthly subscription group, where all live podcasts are available to watch at any time. Plus, over 5 years of content including: past live podcasts, interviews, ebook downloads, and more!

Get ready for our Flea & Tick Prevention Series & see you this week!

**Edit on image for NexGard Spectra - Adverse reactions 190,802 / Deaths - 5,998

02/13/2025

Some of our Cavapoos babies. Not available.

02/13/2025

Not Available

02/13/2025

Some of our Cavapoos babies
Not available

12/25/2024