Fleas, revisited
We flea dipped, powdered, sprayed, Frontlined...and we still are battling. My poor dogs are breaking my heart. I have to admit, I have not taken them to the vet because of my time restraints due to my new job. But I think it's time. These poor pups are miserable. And it seems with each treatment (whether by us or the groomer) they seem to get worse, so I think they are developing skin issues. Another problem getting them to the vet is that Tony and I only have Sundays off together...and it's hard for me to handle all three by myself. I'm going to ask my son to go with me on Saturday...I just hope we can get an appointment. I have to get these guys relief. If any of you have any suggestions, please let me know. As I said, this is a nightmare. |
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| Deb - what are you/the groomer treating them with?
Kristine |
| Oh Deb we went through that a couple of years back - and the Irish Setter gets flea bite dermatitis.
We FINALLY cleared it up using Happy Jack flea shampoo (it uses citrus oils) and Promeris as a topical to keep the fleas at bay after they were gone. Its been a while since we have even seent he precense of a flea and I haven't used the flea shampoo or the promeris in a year. (we use a more tick offensive topical now) |
| Get them on the lufernon! It breaks the life cycle. Any fleas that feed on your dog will lay eggs that do not hatch. End of story... eventually.
The vet will likely also prescribe capstar to kill the fleas currently on board. |
| Poor Puppies. I itch just thinking about it. |
Abuckie wrote: Poor Puppies. I itch just thinking about it.
I itch whenever I think about it. We have an appointment Sat. at 1:30. I'm very concerned about their skin. Kristine, I don't know what the groomer used on the sheepies, we used Sentry Pro on Keira, and Zodiac powder on the cats. It really has been a nightmare. We also have used 2 doses (a month apart) of Frontline Plus. I'll do whateve the vet suggests, even bombing the house. Kristine...all 7 of us may have to spend Sunday afternoon at your house  .I can't for this to end. We've shaved Lizzie (oh, and she's NOT chubby under the fur, will post a picture for you!), since she matted herself scratching so much. Pirate's coat has held up better, but if the vet wants him shaved, so be it. Even the cats are matted now!!! I wonder if Benedryl will calm their skin at night. Any ideas? Saturday can't come soon enough. I have so much guilt, but with a new job, with long hours, I haven't really had a choice. I hope they aren't too angry with me! |
| Well, you're all very welcome to come, but leave the damn fleas home!!!
I'm really sorry. It sounds awful. The one and only time (so far, knock on wood) I dealt with some hitch-hiker fleas (they came back from a national with me - ugh!) I did frontline, waited the prerequisite number of days and then for a period of ten days to two weeks bathed everyone every other day. (staggered it) I didn't use shampoo every time. In fact, when I did use soap I used liquid dawn. I washed their bedding in hot water, also every couple of days. And then vaccumed every day. Some times twice a day. Oh, and I got everyone out and sprinkled and then vac'd up Borax. Car too. Within two weeks problem was under control. Redid the frontline the following month. Don't think I've seen a flea since. Don't normally use frontline. Adult fleas will drown even in just plain old water. I worried about eggs but I think by the time any remaining hatched the frontline finished off the rest of that cycle. Maybe you have really resistant buggers. Or there's a source for reinfestation, or...? The itching is weird. I didn't notice any itching. Saw flea dirt and declared war. Can they all have flea allergies? I'm not sure about benadryl. Sorry  Wish I knew what to tell you.
Pictures of the svelte, naked Lizzie please.
Kristine |
| Oh Deb, I am itching for you! I had a run of them 2 years ago. I tried everything over the counter, and nothing worked. I eventually called the exterminator which cost $$$$$$ Approx 400! I had treated Finn religiously but he carried fleas in to the house and the cats weren't treated because they are house cats, so they ended up causing the horrible cycle we were caught in, so don't forget the cats when de-fleaing. I agree with Ron, if you can give the dogs capstar it kills the live fleas, and once they go back in the house after it is fumigated, they'll be ok, they make it for cats, too. It does make them itch even worse at first, but it works. Good luck, I know I was in tears by the time it was all over. |
Sheepie in Vt wrote: Oh Deb, I am itching for you! I had a run of them 2 years ago. I tried everything over the counter, and nothing worked. I eventually called the exterminator which cost $$$$$$ Approx 400! I had treated Finn religiously but he carried fleas in to the house and the cats weren't treated because they are house cats, so they ended up causing the horrible cycle we were caught in, so don't forget the cats when de-fleaing. I agree with Ron, if you can give the dogs capstar it kills the live fleas, and once they go back in the house after it is fumigated, they'll be ok, they make it for cats, too. It does make them itch even worse at first, but it works. Good luck, I know I was in tears by the time it was all over.
Thank you. Thank you for your affirmation. Sometimes, I feel like I'm losing my mind with this! |
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