ADVICE DESPERATELY NEEDED-How to GET RID of FLEAS!
"We are in a desparate and heartbreaking point...Charlie had fleas probably since December when we stayed in a hotel because our new house was being finished for one night (stairs were being stained and smell was too strong). Around Christmas I noticed that I was itchy and he was itching and my daughter and I were being bitten by something. I went to the vet because of ear mites for Charlie as well and she put him on drops for ears and the revolution. i asked about fleas and she said he didn't have any and if he did the revolution would control it. Months passed and he was still on the revolution. My daughters bites and mine were getting worse. I didn't see anything but I have never seen fleas before and wasn't sure if or what to look for. I went to the clinic twice for myself and victoria and they could not identify what was biting us(in January). My doctor's secretary asked if we had a pet and said I bet it is fleas. Give him a bath and it should help. well, we did and found some fleas for sure and I decided to cut him down very short and we had our house fumigated. I called the vet as well and they said to bring back the one tube of revolution that I had left and they would refund it and give us something better! they gave us advantage multi and said that this would kill fleas on contact, they did not have to bite Charlie and the problem would improve. It has been one week since we fumigated, my daughter can't take it anymore and is embarassed to go to school from the bites. I don't know what else to do. Please help us, we are desparate. the exterminator is coming back on wednesday. it is a brand new house since december. my heart is breaking, any advice would be appreciated. We may have to give him back to you...it is breaking my heart, we all love him so much. i am in tears and so are my kids." |
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| Well, the dog isn't the problem at this point. The fleas are still finding a buffet in the people so whether or not they give the dog back to you they are still going to have a problem.
They need to break the flea cycle and it will involve expanding the area they are working on. They need to fumigate their car and treat their yard as well and be careful when they return because they could have tiny hitchhikers that they just reintroduce to the residence once they jump off of the people. Do they make frontline for people? Maybe they should switch to a Mediterranean or Italian diet and up their garlic intake. Ginny needs to post about her flea cycle breakage technique. She had a problem with it before and has become quite eloquent  in describing the process. |
| I agree - it's not poor Charlie anymore. The exterminator should know that - if he's not guiding them properly they need a new exterminator. Maxmm has it correct...cars, yard, garage, cellars, sheds - everywhere. Not only the "living areas" of the house - attic, basement, storage areas...they've got to cover it all.
Once it's all over, keeping Charlie on Advantage should be all it takes to maintain. My three are on Advantage and we never have an issue. Gosh, that's just miserable for everybody. |
| I ran into a flea problem a few years ago, and just dosing every animal in the house with advantage 2 months in a row was enough. I don't keep them on anything like that unless necessary, but I keep enough of it in the house to do them all if necessary.
I also bought Zodiac premises spray and sprayed the basement and baseboards. Seemed to take care of the problem. I didn't have any carpets though... if you have carpet it can be a pain as the eggs can live in there and reinfest all over again. |
| Ditto on the advice above. We struggle with fleas in our area all the time since it never gets cold enough to get rid of them.
Since my return from the beach Abi has been itching. The vet recommended that I switch to Advantage (she was on Frontline). She, the vet, explained that even though the fleas might no longer be biting the area, the skin will itch for a while later. Similar to when we get a mosquito bite and itch for days. I gave Abi Children's Benadryl for three days and she's not itching. This might be something to consider once the flea infestation is under control. Benadryl might even help the humans with the itching. As with any medicine, please ask the vet first. |
| You where given great advise...the flea cycle is about three weeks...so washing all lines, pillows, vacuuming all floors, door frames, cleaning all surfaces, couches, chairs ect don't over look the cars, every day for about three weeks. Yes, it is a lot of work, but you should be able to get it under control quickly.
Dawn dishwashing soap works great to wash the dog with...I even used it diluted to water my flower gardens if I see any fleas on the dogs. Years ago we bought a house out in the country that needed tender loving care and when we moved in it was infested with fleas...so we went into high gear with the above advise and where flea free before we knew it. Please tell them good luck. |
| What the above posters said is correct. The yard, storage buildings, garage, basement, attic, vehicles - EVERYTHING and EVERY PLACE has to be treated. Otherwise, you'll never be rid of them. As far as Charlie is concerned, a treatment of Capstar and then regular Advantage treatments will keep him flea free. But, the people will have to clean the beds, linens, pillows, etc. It's a huge PITA, but once it's done, you're rid of the devils.
I had a terrible time with them last summer myself. I speak from experience. |
| Thank-you so much everyone for all your tips. I have forwarded them on to Charlies owner. |
| Send them this link, too.
How to get rid of fleas http://www.oes.org/page2/5804~How_to_ge ... fleas.html |
| Thanks Ron! |
Are you sure that it is a flea problem? The reason I ask is that your mention of staying in a hotel triggered a memory of a prime time news special about the increase in bed bugs in hotels across the country. Maybe you brought home some little travelers in your suitcase...... 
Laurie and Oscar |
| I agree with all the previous posts and just wanted to add
that although Revolution is a great product, it's efficacy against fleas is not as good as others.(just my opinion!) Quin and Devyn are on Revolution for the heartworm prevention part due to allergies. Normally, since Quin is around so many other dogs at work everyday I have to dose him with Frontline 2-3 weeks after his Revolution.....I have never seen fleas on him but, he has a mean flea biter
Maybe they could talk to their vet about a different product for fleas! Hope they can work it out....good luck |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Are you sure that it is a flea problem? The reason I ask is that your mention of staying in a hotel triggered a memory of a prime time news special about the increase in bed bugs in hotels across the country. Maybe you brought home some little travelers in your suitcase......
Laurie and Oscar I read about that too... getting rid of bed bugs is very hard and very costly. I hope for the owner's sake that it's only fleas!! |
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