How to I get rid of a Flea Infestation on a dog cheaply?

Question

My parents are in TN and when I went to visit I noticed the dog they keep outside is covered in fleas. He has very little hair left and the fleas are VERY visable and gourged. He seems to be getting thin as well because of it... anemic? They have very little money. Are there any home remedies that can be used? They give him weekly flea baths but it does not help, since he is outside.

Answer 1

It sounds as if you need to do something fast if you want to save this dog's life if he is getting thin and is losing hair.

First, you need to get some Dawn dishwashing detergent and wash the animal well. Let the soap mixture stand on his skin for 10 minutes. By doing this, you break down the oils in the fleas and suffocate them.

Second, before you let him back out in the yard, you need to treat his area. Get some Sevin Dust from Walmart or Lowes and get to putting it out. If you can, let the dog stay inside while the area is being treated. Let him/her have a break from the itching.

Third thing you need to do, is treat your house. If he has been inside for any amount of time, you better Sevin Dust the door jams and get a house fogger.

If the dog doesn't show improvement soon, you need a vets care.

Hope this helps you.

Sandy :O)

Answer 2

If your parents cannot properly care for the dog, you need to find it a new home. They could get in trouble for animal abuse/neglect if the dog is infested with fleas, doesn't have hair which is most likely mange, and it's skinny. Mange can kill an animal if not treated. You need to buy Frontline from any vet or some pet stores, put it on once a month and the fleas will be gone- give it a bath also (before the Frontline, wait until it dries completely to apply the Frontline).
It REALLY needs to see a vet if it is extremely skinny, has mange, and that bad of fleas!
It could die without proper treatment. Many vets understand situations where the people don't have much money and they will treat the dog for cheap as long as you tell them your situation. PLEASE TAKE IT TO A VET.
Also, it is probably skinny from malnutrition and worms (worms can be caused from swollowing 1 single flea and can eventually kill the dog).
IT NEEDS TO SEE A VET NOW! If you can't take it or cannot afford it- PLEASE take it to a no-kill shelter where they will properly treat it and then keep it until it finds a loving home.

Answer 3

The problem that needs to be treated is the areas where he is kept outside. If they're giving him a flea bath every week, then it's obvious that something other than the actual dog is infested. Fleas can live in the millions outside, so they need to buy flea sprays and bombs to put in their yard or kennel area, as well as continue to give the dog flea baths.

Ideally, the dog should be taken to a vet to check for anemia or flea allergies, but it sounds like the can't afford this. Perhaps an at-home flea spray will help his situation. Also, if they can afford an indoor flea spray - chances are the fleas have gotten into the house as well if he's had them for this long.

Answer 4

It sounds more like he has ticks then fleas.... Or could have both.. The important thing is to get the ticks off of him... Bathe him in DAWN/JOY dishsoap and let the soap sit on him for a few minutes.. PETSMART/PETCO have drops called ZODIAC and they are really inexpensive about $13 for a 4 month supply.. Which should fit your budget.. I've been using them for a few yrs. with no problem.. We have an indoor/outdoor dog and woods in the back... The ticks should just drop off the dog when it's applied. As should the fleas... You should be feeding your dog some wet dry food to give him back the nutrients the dog is losing... Try mixing some ALPO wet with the dry and see if he eats it... Feed him inside and make sure he's getting enough water... If you don't have the budget to keep the dog healthy it's best to give the dog up to people/family that can afford to feed/treat the dog...

Answer 5

Frontline. It is a monthly treatment that costs about 14 dollars. It is advertised as being effective for a month, but It really can last up to 2 months. Just a few drops on their neck will keep them free of bugs for that long. It will save them the time and hassle of bathing the dog and will get rid of the infestations.

Answer 6

capstar is 3 dollars per pill (call any vet) and will kill ALL the fleas within half an hour....but then you're going to have to treat his bedding and surrounding area and frontline is 10 dollars a month and it will keep the fleas off of him. you might want to pick them up some hydrocotizone spray for the bites he already has or he will be miserable. and last but not least if they cant afford basic care they might want to place him in another home that can.

Answer 7

he really needs vet care at this point! He possibly is anemic and needs care.. hairloss is most likely because of flea allergy.

There are no home remedies for fleas. Advantage, Revolution, and Frontline are the best defense against fleas.

Answer 8

dawn works like a charm and so does pine cleaner like pin-sol just becareful around the eyes and you can also put the pine sol on the ground around where the dog stays also you can spend about $9 to $15 on a product called red cell which is a vitamin supplement that will help with overall health and hair regrowth. Last summer my dogs got into insulation and lost ALL their hair and this worked very well good luck

Answer 9

I'd use frontline, it's better then a hefty vet bill. Fleas can cause anemia , tapeworms, and depress the immune system enough other serious problems can start happening.

Answer 10

Just go to walmart and buy you some blue Dawn Original Dish Soap has to be Original, it kills fleas while washing your dog,
for just a few extra dollars also buy you some 5% sevin dust it will also help kill fleas mites chiggers ticks and prevent furthur infestation