Does anyone have a dog that has a reaction to the sprays used on crops? I have one very itchy dog again! He does have allergies to tree pollens, dust mites, flea bites, grass pollens etc etc and has been on immunotherapy injections for almost 2 years now. I didn't see much improvement until the end of last year when I put him on a very strict food elimination trial. He's been doing well until the last few weeks (he scored very highly on tree pollens yet had almost no reaction to them over the months just gone). Just these last couple of weeks the itching's gone mad again though. Even when he's asleep his back legs going. I know we are now in the grasses/weeds time so the itching could be caused by those, but I also know the crops are being sprayed in the fields we walk around, although they've never been wet when we've gone there. Very limited in places to walk around here (2 out of the 4 places I already avoid due to certain dogs!) but think I will have to go elsewhere.

Anyone else experienced this?

There was a bit in Dog World last week about crop spraying so I 'm sure it could cause problems. I read somewhere about wiping the dogs down after walks to remove some of the allergens, I don't know if you do that already? I've also heard about the miracles of liquidised raw spinach - is Talli allergic to that? A tablespoon morning and evening seems to be the dosage.

Oh, I'll have to try and track that article down. Last year his skin got so bad I was rinsing him off every day and bathing him in malaseb weekly, but it didn't seem to make the slightest bit of difference (think we had food problems as well back then though). I could try doing that again now, and also just remembered there was some mention of a barrier spray on here a little while ago so I'll have a search through for that.

I tried the spinach. He was horrified I did manage to get him to eat it blended with tripe but it gave him the squits, as any amount of fruit or veg seems to. Thanks for the suggestion though :-D

Found it here. Think I will be going elsewhere! Some of the paths are so narrow that you have to brush up against the crops for quite some distance - can't be good.

I think Petal Cleanse can help as a barrier. I can't do links to CD posts, but there was one recently "allergy to grass" that mentioned it.

Another thought! Have you tried the Quistel range of products (http://www.quistel.co.uk/products/index.php?page=dog) especially the lotion spray?

just a warning, a friends of mine's dog collapsed and died after being walked on a public footpath where the farmer had recently sprayed, they then found 2 other dogs had died and one owner had been taken to a&e after walking the same path not same day but over about 10 days.
Defra and police are supposedly investigating but friend still can not get any answers.
Chris

How dreadful! Another good reason for organic farming IMO.

Thanks for those Karen. I've tried Quistel (shampoo and spray) but not the barrier spray so will give that a go!

How awful tatty-ead.

Gave mine a good bath yesterday incase the itching is due to the spray, and then avoided the crop fields today. Shame the farmers can't put notices up when they are going to spray so one could avoid the area for a while ("not my problem" I suppose is the answer!). I read that they only spray 5 or 6 times during the whole season though.

Can't imagine what it must do to the wildlife.

Just a point from a qualified sprayer.
I do wear protective wear and do everything to reduce the exposure to myself and others.
Unfortunatly, some people/ animals do have adverse reaction to sprays!!!
If you think sprays have been used in the wrong way then it is the HSE that you need to report to, as that is who governs us!!! and we can get £20,000b fine!!!! Also there are alot of people including farmers out there that believe they have 'grandfather' rights, when they dont and should have a PA1 and PA6 to spray!!!!
Unfortunatly, much as people might like to think spray is not necessary t is, and if I knew a field has been sprayed I would not take my dogs there, but the guidelines are, as soon as the spray is  dry then it is safe (dont quote me on that one!!!! but thats what I have taken it at, and al my paper work is in the office!!!)
Just give the a good bath, alot of water, alot of shampoo that you know des not effect them, and hope it works.
BTW you are legally allowed to spray over a public right of way.
Lea :) :)

>BTW you are legally allowed to spray over a public right of way.

I'm not up on the legal side of things :-P I did think though that they legally had to leave a border around the crops that would not be sprayed (impossible where we are as the crops are practically sprouting out the footpaths in places, and if it's a windy day it's going to drift everywhere anyway I imagine). Is that not true then about the border?

I dont know about the new set aside, but you do have to leave a meter away from hedges to protect wildlife by HSE law!!!.
Also right of ways are sometimes through the centre of fields.
Spraying should always be done on days when the leaves in the trees rustle, but not too windy, but in reality, there are so little days like that you do have to look at where the spray is going to work out if it is viable (Ie onto another crop that will be okay with the drift)
From a farmer that qualified at about the same time as me and sprays most of the year :-
right next to a river drain or something carrying water farmers must leave a 6 m buffer zone, that does away with the complications of chemicals that need 6 m next to water courses, now the 1m strip is different i think as it applies to next to hedges but not nexr to tracks in the farm where you can work right to the edge, BUT i belive you dont have to leave the 1m strip but if you dont the farm payment is not paid as it is part of the farm assurance scheme or countryside stewardship scheme. As in that the thing its a stewardship scheme that links to the farm area payment basically no border no money and YES the do measure
And you can spray over rights of way, IF they are not in the buffer zone!!!!
Hope that clears a few things up.
If not ask, as either myself or my mate should be able to answer your questions :)
Lea :)

Also the farmer should put signs up to say they have sprayed the field with a right of way through it. BUT and this is a BIG BUT, there is no time limit!!!!! LOL 24 hours we believe the farmer would be covered but we dont believe there is a time limit!!!!
Lea :)

Thanks for that Lea. Sounds a bit complicated for me :-D Definitely no signs up here. Think I'll just continue to walk elsewhere for now!

Lea, such useful information.  Thank you