Overreacting to flea problem?? Help! I am going nuts!!?

Question

About 3 weeks ago a neighbor brought their dog over to play in the yard with my dog. The next day, he called back to say he found fleas on his dog, so I should check mine. I looked through and couldn't find anything. I bought some flea shampoo anyway and bathed him. 3 weeks later and my dog starts itching himself. I check and find he has fleas on him. I quickly bathed him again, and got some Advantage flea control. I also got some flea carpet powder and dusted the entire house. I am so freaked out by these little bugs, I have never dealt with fleas before (this is my 3rd dog I have ever had). It has only been a day since I found them, and I still see a few on his body. I am worried that the medicine isn't working. I am also freaked out that they are on me. It seems like my head itches, but I can't see anything on me. I have washed the dogs bed, toys, and also my sheets. Am I overreacting? Is it too early to be rid of them? I know that their eggs can lay dormint for a long time. =(

Answer 1

We had a problem with fleas when my wife and I moved into a house we rented about 15 years ago. The previous people had a dog and they must not have taken any preventative measures to protect their dog, because shortly after we moved in our dog and cat suddenly started scratching up a storm.

We contacted our vet and if I remember correctly, we ended up giving them a bath and them putting flea collars on them. Then, I think we had to treat the carpets with something. My memory isn't what it use to be because of all the anti-depressants I'm on these days, so I'm a little foggy on exactly what we did but I think it have it right.

Anyway, I would call your vet tomorrow and see what they say.

I found a website that has a lot of information about fleas, flea control, and getting rid of them (see bottom link). I also found another website that offers a product you can buy for your dog to eat that will make the fleas lose interest in him/her (top link).

Answer 2

If you are getting the frontline from the Vet there is no way you should be treating them more than once a month, and you shouldn't be mixing, the dogs should not be washed 3 days before or three days after the treatment and the fleas, eggs and larve should be killed, even if they are around the fleas, get the hose taken care of and do not have the dogs in there, or yourself stay out for about 3 hrs or whatever the service says, But someting sound funny all the tratment your talking about, a Vet would never approve, and they should have had a bath 3 days before the treatment if the fleas were that bad, loke I said something is not right, part of dog ownership is work

Answer 3

TRUST ME..do these all on the same day:

FLEA BOMB HOUSE (don't go overborad, follow the directions or you could have an explosion. Just recommended bombs in each room/ area.)

WASH DOG: Really soap him up. Get the whole dog, they just drown. So treat his ears at the same time. Keep any rugs out of the bathroom when you do this. Or take him for a flea dip.

WASH BLANKETS: After the bombing, wash blankets.

TREAT CARPETS: Get a good carpet treatment. Toss the vac bag when done.

Relax. If there are any left after this, the cold air will help. Learn about fleas. They don't live on the dog. They may travel with him, but the jump on, feed, jump off..onto your bed, blankets, carpet. They jump on human, bite, jump off.

Answer 4

I think with fleas you gotta hit them hard with everything. You have to treat the whole house (flea bomb if possible, or use Flea Ban type sprays) which also means hoovering the house at least every couple of days. You then have to make sure you keep up with the topical treatment on the dog. This may take up to 3 months for it to totally settle down. Be persistant, be dilligent. Fleas can hop onto us but generally we are too good at picking them off so they will stick to the fabric in your house (yes, hoover your bed too!) or to the pet. Good luck.

Answer 5

No you are not overreacting. Fleas cause heartworms. Your best bet is get the dog to a vet for trearment and see what he recommends to use in your house. Yes, eggs will be hatching for some time.

Answer 6

sorry, you can't get rid of fleas that easy. what you're doing to your dog now is already a big step in solving the flea problem. continue with it. just be carefull with the anti flea remedies. Many of them cause cause skin irritation and when this happens you might think that the fleas are ganging on you already.

get your dog a flea collar.

to me, as the owner of three dogs, you're not over reacting. just concerned after all they are our best friend.

Answer 7

I think you are overreacting. The Advantage will kill the flea larvae. Give it some time and keep doing what you're doing. It should be fine.

Answer 8

ok first you need to treat your yard any good bug killer will work. i use lice shampoo on my dogs and cats and rinse them with water and lemon juice fleas hate lemon juice. then i use a good flea spray on them when they dry i use the advantage or the hartz stuff. they can not live in human hair long because we wash are hair way to much. but unless you treat your yard your dog is gonna keep geting fleas my vet says skin so soft by avon is also good to kill fleas i dont use it my self tho the lemon juice seems to do the trick

Answer 9

The best way is to ask a vet.