My dog has fleas please help.?

Question

My dog has a really bad amount of fleas and i know they are all over the house so i need to bug bomb the house and get her flea dipped but I dont have the money right now and flea baths aren't doing anything they are actually making it hurt her since she chews on the fleas and that creates sores so when i give her a bath it puts her in pain from the soap getting in those sores what can i do till i get the money to get her in to be dipped?

Answer 1

Nontoxic Flea Treatment
March 2004
I have fleas in my area carpet and am trying to figure out how to get rid of them safely (i have two young children). I looked in the archives but there isn't much there about getting them out of carpets, only pets (and i have no indoor pets!). Has anyone done this, and if so, how? Thanks! All Chewed Up


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Years ago I used to use Fleabusters and I loved it! I used to live in L.A. before there was Advantage and the fleas were awful!! Fleabusters saved my life and was worth every penny. (Now I have no carpets and I use advantage on the cats. Berkeley fleas aren't as bad as LA fleas too.) They work a powder into your carpet and all fleas are gone for at least a year, although my treatments would last longer because I didn't vacuum very often. You need to take out your kids, plants and animals (esp. fishtanks) when they apply the powder because it's very dusty during the application, but once everything settles, it's fine for plants, pets and kids.

Sprinkle boric acid in the carpet, and then vacuum it all up. It works great. We have 2 dogs, and no fleas, and do this treatment about once a year.
We had fleas about a year ago and tried all the ''natural'' things we could find (saw a lot of bunk advice online, such as leaving banana peels out until they turned brown -- did not work). Tried essential oils, etc, etc. You may find something less drastic, but we ended up calling Fleabusters (1-800-235-3532). It's a little expensive, but they advertise that their stuff is very safe, and they're quick (15 minutes), it's effectuve and guaranteed. We had no problems.

Fleabusters (800-235-3532) spreads a non-toxic salt that dries up the fleas. Gets rid of dust mites, too. It's expensive, but doesn't smell and is non-poisonous. Our vet recommended it and it's working at our house.

This really works: Get a pan, fill it with water and a little dish soap. Place it in the middle of the rug with a desk lamp shining on it and keep it there all night, with no other light source, after everyone has gone to bed. The fleas are drawn to the light, and will leap into the water and drown. The dish soap prevents them from bouncing out again. Keep it going for at least a month in order to catch the next generation of eggs hatchlings. Beyond that, always use the Advantage flea remedy on your pets. Nothing works better.

Fleabusters offers a non-toxic flea treatment -- and it works for a year or more! You can find them in the phone book.

Diatomaceous Earth is often used as a non-toxic flea treatment. It is made from the crushed exoskeletons of diatoms, tiny creatures that live in the ocean (whales eat them). You can get it at pet stores (I think), and possibly also from Pool supply stores (where it is used in filters). I think the stuff you get from pet supply stores may be finer than that for pools; I'm not sure. You sprinkle it on the carpets, and the vacuum it up later. The tiny bits get in the breathing pores of the bugs and suffocate them. The downside is that some people find that it wears their carpets out sooner (though this is only hearsay; those I know who've used it haven't had any trouble).

I had great success with Flea Busters (I'm pretty sure that's what it is called). They apply a powder - it is brushed into the carpets and sprinkled in the corners/edges of hardwood floors. I think it works by basically dehydrating the fleas to death - it is some kind of salt. Someone else told me you can buy the powder and do it yourself, too, but I have no idea where. It is guaranteed for a year. You should not wash your carpets afterwards as water will counteract the powder. I hope this meets your definition of "nontoxic" - it didn't smell or create fumes or anything, although I imagine it would not be great if your child was sucking on the carpet, for example. After using Fleabusters, I used "Program" on my cat (turns the cat into a giant birthcontrol pill for fleas, because after the fleas bite the cat they can't reproduce) and have never had a flea problem since.

I would do a commercial for fleabusters. in the old house we had 2 dogs and 2 cats. here its just the dogs but 4 floors of carpeting. they come once a year and basically salt yourhouse. it works like a charm.

Link from all of the above:
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/fleas.html#non

Answer 2

AAAHHHH!!!! WAAAAAIIIIIIITTTTT!!!

Okay....first of all, yes you will need to treat the pet and the house- good for you for thinking of both (that is where a lot of people make their first mistake)

Garlic will not work no matter what people say- and your pets skin and coat will change...so its a dont. Second- dawn will dry out the skin- really badly and likely burn the sores like crazy.

Go to lowes or home depot or Ace hardware etc and get boric acid....or borax detergent if you cannot find regular powder. Put it anywhere you want....on carpets, in the couch, yes....everywhere...tehn let it sit for 3 days....tehn vaccuum....repeat a week later. Find a vet that will sell you a single dose of advantage or frontline- they are the only products that are safe if your pet had sores. Do not get the kind from walmart...you are wasting your money- it will not work. Do not bathe your dog for at least 2 days before or after putting the frontline/advantage on. Flea dips are temporary and will make the sores worse- some dogs are not just bothered by the bites of fleas....they are allergic and they will get bad sores and lose hair....this may require an antibiotic from the vet....but first things first...get rid of the fleas....boric acid is safe and works. In fact, my exterminator uses it for fleas, spiders and roaches. AGAIN do not get her dipped....trust me I am a veterinary technician and it will not help your problem. Bombs can make her and you sick. Boric acid is safest. Also- there is a pill (should cost around 2 dollars a pill) that lasts for 24 hours but only 24 hours called CAPSTAR...it will kill the fleas on her for 24 hours and begins working within 30 minutes. You can use this with the advantage...it is also safe for her and can be given every day if needed. Both the apstar and advantage are over the counter so any vet should be able to sell it to you without an appointment or having to be a client.


GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

I dipped my dog twice and put those spot ons (I won't named it, but it appears in alot of the f/t answers) (that was before I started working in pet shop), the ticks still came back because I didn't treat my house and my dog's immunity defense was low. And also I didn't realise that I was poisoning my dog.

Please do not dip if there're open wounds! Apply those anti-itch and wound cream on the sores!

Here's what I did for the flea problem (this only work well with fleas, ticks are harder) I sprayed my dog with apple cider vinegar. 1/4 acv with 1 cup water. After a while, I found alot of little black/brown suckers on the floor. Vaccum some f/t powder and suck up the suckers, then throw the bag. Best is burn the bag. Spray every week

Another is add repellant essence oils to the collars (those fabric types). A few drops of Eucalyptus Oil, peppermint, rosemary and white cedar
Do not use citronella on cats.

Quote
Use ¼ tsp. of Eucalyptus Oil in a 8-10 ounce spray pumper bottle. Fill with water. Put the pumper on a fine mist. Spray your house with the mist. Spray the carpet, furniture, car, pet’s beds everywhere. Fleas hate the aroma and run for the door.

Do this 3 times a week. It leaves a fine mist that dries almost instantly. Your home will have a very fresh scent. Spraying your pet is also a great idea. It doesn’t hurt them and it helps keep fleas away. Do this recipe all year, but especially do this routine in the summer months when fleas are at there peak. Vacuuming is also important for picking up eggs.

Answer 4

Fleas are very annoying! Always use either Frontline or Advantix for Canines on your dog every month. I've found that if you don't do it to the month exactly, the fleas return. But to get to the source, try this:
1. While your dog is away (like at the vet or groomers or you can take him to a friend's house) clean everything that your dog touches. Wash his bed, your bed, any sheets he touches, etc. Use bleach if you can.
2. Then get some anti-flea carpet powder and vaccum your carpet. Surprisingly fleas can live in you carpet for weeks! They can also lay their eggs there and the little ones can hatch and jump onto your dog.
3. Spray any fabric in your home (couches, beds, etc) with a flea killing spray. You can buy these at Wal-Mart or target for pretty cheap.
4. Also spray your pet's bed and your's very well.
5. Bring your pet home and put the Frontline on him. This should kill all the fleas at every life stage and in any place they may be hiding.
If you still see fleas after this, try it again. There might be something you missed.
And my vet actually doesn't recommend getting dogs flea dipped because of all the chemicals.
Hope this helps!

Answer 5

You don't need a flea dip. There are too many harsh chemicals in a flea dip which will aggrevate her sores further. The first thing that you need to do is get your dog to the vet. The vet can give her a Capstar which will kill all existing fleas. She should then be bathed in a soap free shampoo (DVM makes great ones) and Frontline should be applied. Your vet will also check out her sores as well and most likely prescribe an antibiotic and possibly a antihistamine. While she is at the vet, you need to flea bomb your house. Please remember that flea control and heartworm preventative are musts for dogs.

Answer 6

You should call the exterminator, they cost really cheap and they come in and clean in only a couple of hours, you should do this, and that way it will dsave your house and your money. I think you should do it fast becaue fleas can give your dog worms and parasites in a matter of seconds, it can even give you parasite and worm too. It is a horrible sickness and can be resolved by surgery, i suggest that once you are done reading this you call the exterminater now, if you have no idea how to contact the exterminator, then dial 411 on the phone, someone will pick up and ask them what is the phone number for the nearest exterminator, they will telly ou the humber and you will write it down, after you stop talking to the 411 helpers you dial the exterminators and they will come over now, or whenever you want them to, to take away the blood sucking fleas! Hurry!

Answer 7

Unfortunately, if you want to be rid of fleas, you are going to have to spend a bit of money here. There really isn't an alternative. I have had this with my cat, and the house got infested too. Here is my advice, and at the lowest cost I can think of to you (it worked for me).

1. Treat your dog with Frontline or some similar (spot on the back of the neck once a month type). This will take care of the dog's problem, and it isn't that expensive, and worth every penny.

2. Clean your house thoroughly from top to bottom, using a powerful vacuum cleaner. Make sure you tidy and clear out everything you don't need - get rid of clutter, etc.

3. Go to your vet, or look online and get a can (or 2) of Indorex, or similar spray (Indorex is UK, but if you are US, there is probably a similar thing). You spray this all over your house, and I mean all over - carpets, beds, sofas, any soft furnishings, including dog's bedding. It doesn't leave a smell, or stain. You leave the windows shut for the 1st half an hour or so (stay out of the house if possible) before you can ventilate. This kills all fleas, eggs larvae and pupae, and carries on killing for 2 months, and protects your house for a year!

4. Take off all your bedding, and wash it at the hottest setting. Wash (or throw out) your dog's bedding.

5. Every day vacuum the house from top to bottom. This encourages larvae to hatch from the carpet, then they come into contact with the poison, and are killed.

6. Make sure you treat your dog every month after this, and vacuum the house at least once a week thoroughly.

This sounds a pain, but trust me, you have to do this if you want your house and dog to be free of fleas. It really works, as long as you do it properly.

Answer 8

Dawn does work to kill the fleas, then you should Advantage EVERY month, or even every 3 weeks if the infestation in your house is severe. You can mail order it without a prescription from PetMeds or Foster and Smith, and it isn't that expensive. Then vacuum EVERY day for a while, and put the stuff you vacuum up outside immediately after vacuuming. Spray the house with Raid in the purple can-- it says FLEAS in big letters, and is more effective and less toxic than bombs. You must treat every pet in the house, and stay on top of it. Good Luck!!

Answer 9

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RE:
My dog has fleas please help.?
My dog has a really bad amount of fleas and i know they are all over the house so i need to bug bomb the house and get her flea dipped but I dont have the money right now and flea baths aren't doing anything they are actually making it hurt her since she chews on the fleas and that creates...

Answer 10

Do not use commercial soap on DOGS! Human shampoo / sink /dish soap is meant only for that. Open sores on the dog, you need to cover them up with an oinment you can get a pet stores or feed supplies. Runs about $3.00-$6.00 a tube. If you don't get the sores healed your dog will die from infection. You need to buy a $2.00 can of flea killer for the carpet. (Dollar General, Deals etc) Add lavendar to your dogs bedding, this will naturally drive them away. A jug of flea spray from Wal-mart is $5.96. Scrape together pennies if you have too. If youl love your dog, you will not bath her in soap you use for dishes. You will not subject her to a painful flea bath with open sores. What if that was you??
IF this is as serious as it sounds you need Vet attention. They have payment plans. They can help you.