> how much it costs to send a faecal sample for testing as would much prefer to do that

have PM'd you

I know you know that Jean, but not everyone reading this thread will...

I was restating a fact you know to illustrate how worms are very resistant to treatment and it takes more than a deterrent to successfully be worm-free.

I wish I could be more liberal on this subject and have an "each to their own attitude", as I do with almost everything else, but when there is a public health risk involved and the public reputation of dogs, then an "each to their own" is not in anyone's best interests.

I never use flea treatments unless I have a problem (Not in the last 20 years). We do get ticks and I deal with them as needed. I have been let to believe that the treatments will not stop the tick attaching but will make it drop off sooner? Is that right?. So as my girls are groomed most days in the evening I very rarly miss one. I can see no reason to use a deterrant that does not actually deterr!!! As for woming My pups are wormed at 3.5.7,9 weeks then 3, 6, 9, 12 months then every 6 months. I have never seen worms in a litter yet. I worm with Milbermax which is also used for lungworm.
I do not like to put chemicals into the girls if not essensual, that is why I raw feed!! I inoculate pups and they have the 1st year booster then they have Lepto every year and the rest every three up till about 7 years old. then I stop altogether. It suits me that way and seems to be OK for them
Aileen

Just to put the NHS article into context....

How common is toxocariasis?
Toxocariasis is a rare condition, with an average of 10 cases occurring each year in England.

10 cases...?? A year...?? Hardly a life-threatening epidemic then...
What might happen....if everyone stopped routinely worming their dogs..??
What might happen....if everyone took the holistic approach to health and fed their canine friends a species appropriate diet..??

left them a year and sent faecal samples off to Langford from each of my Collies.
Results came back as free from worms.
Great!  Imagine the number of dogs who unnecessarily pumped full of chemicals as a routine

What might happen then....if everyone decided to send off a sample once a year...and treat only if neccessary..??
Oh yes...thats right...a whole load of happy healthy dogs.....who very rarely need to see a vet.. :)

Sensible solution...pick up after the dog...wash hands. Ensure kids wash hands after being outside...never failed me yet :)

>What might happen....if everyone took the holistic approach to health and fed their canine friends a species appropriate diet..??

I'd imagine that our dogs would be in a similar condition to other species that live a more 'natural' life.

> I inoculate pups and they have the 1st year booster then they have Lepto every year and the rest every three

This is the same as me - and it is what my own vet recommends anyway.