What's your poison?

Six years ago when we got our latest retriever pup, Diva, we soon found she had the most horrendous puppy 'scurf' - much more than normal. The initial reaction from our vet was that it was just puppy scurf and would clear up but if anything it got worse - trails of 'dandruff' everywhere.
They then decided it was a problem she wouldn't grow out of and suggested the only solution was long term steroids. I didn't want to go down that route and was advised to try a homeopathic vet in London (Ainsworths). I explained the problem on the phone and within 24 hours they had posted me a phial of arsenic tabs. The instructions were to give her one a day for a week, then one every other day for a week, which we did. Within a fortnight the scurf/dandruff had gone never to return. She had no adverse side effects to the treatment whatsoever.
What has happened though is that she has never ever had a flea on her, so I have not needed to pay for expensive flea control. She has had a very occasional tick but only when she's stuck her head down rabbit holes etc - nothing on a par with our previous retriever who had regular flea control but still had big problems. Can it be that arsenic in the system from a young age has kept fleas at bay similarily to garlic in humans keeping mosquitoes away? I'd be interested to know of similar reports - it would certainly revolutionise the cost of flea control.
Lyn Gadd, by email

Nick Thompson, holistic vet, says:
What a fantastic story! There’s a large contingent of ‘scientists’ in the media who are out to disparage homeopathy. Your ‘scurf’ story would suggest otherwise. Thanks for bringing it up.
The fact that Diva is not getting any problems with fleas and ticks is, I’m afraid, nothing to do with this early treatment or arsenic in the system. Homeopathic remedies are prepared in such a way that the toxic effects of the source material are eliminated. This is just as well as veterinary homeopaths commonly use many toxic substances in their remedies, for example: Strychnine, Phosphorus and even Uranium!
What I think is happening here, regarding fleas, is just good fortune. If you’d said you’d changed to a raw food diet and were feeding garlic, ginger and brewer’s yeast, I’d put it down to this, but as you don’t mention it, I presume you’re feeding similar to your previous dog.
You know how midges and mosquitoes attack some people much more than others, because of skin type and pheromones and such like? Well, I think this is similar to what we have here. I think Diva has good skin and is just lucky that insects are not really attracted to her.
Yes, flea products are used a lot with our cats and dogs. Too much, in my opinion. I advise my clients never to use these pesticides on their pets unless absolutely necessary, and then, only if herbal products containing Neem, are not effective. I say that I’d prefer to live with the odd flea than to have to cope with pesticide all over the dog, and, consequently, me! We spend millions on organic food in this country. If you come home, stroke the treated dog, then pick up an organic apple, for a snack, that apple is no longer pesticide free and organic!
Keep up the good work. Avoid pesticides where possible, maintain health to keep the skin vital and use homeopathy as much as possible.