Flea Allergies?

Question

I finally got my pup to the vet, she said it was flea allergens, and since he's weakened by the flea saliva a bacteria infection and yeast has grown. I just administered advantage that the vet gave me to my dog, and now I'm just wondering what I can do to treat my house as well, asides from vaccuming often and using borax on the carpet and lawn. I also have wooden and tile floors, can the eggs survive there too? Also, when I get rid of the fleas and his allergic reaction settles down, will that also get rid of the bacteria&yeast infection, or atleast make it easier to get rid of, or will he need another few strong doses of medication to get rid of those? I probably should've asked the vet these things, but I was sort of brain dead from waking up at 6 A.M. If I can't get any answers here I'll call her tomorrow, thanks.

Answer 1

You're doing good...
Advantage will kill the fleas when they bite; I'm not sure if it will keep them from getting on the dog.
BUT...
you can get kennel dip inexpensively and you mix a small amount in a large amount of water and wet him down really good. I usually do a flea shampoo, and after rinse-out, wet the dog down with the kennel dip. If the dog has short, straight hair, you can use a flea comb to comb out the egg casings. This is a good addition to the Advantage.

Vacuuming doesn't do a lot, but I've heard that borax helps. In addition to this, I'd bug bomb your house and repeat that bombing every 4 days for 4-6 times. When you get a bad flea infestation in your home, this is the best way to get rid of them.

As to your yard, sprinkle Diazanon granules on the grass and in the planters and flower gardens. This kills fleas and ticks and things that bother your plants as well.

Once the dog has been dealt with for fleas, try some of the cortisone 10% spray. It may help. If you have some small areas that you think are bacterial, you can try some iodine on them. I've used iodine on raw areas on my dog to kill any possible infection. Once the infection is cleared, then you don't use iodine on it any more as this prevents healing of the open wound.

Hope this helps you. The bug bombing really works. I used it when my home was infested so bad that, as I went down to the basement 2 dozen fleas jumped on my legs and all bit me at once and BOY was THAT painful!!!

Answer 2

You are doing the right things. Just remember when you vacuum to take the bag outside to a garbage can. Fleas can still live in the bag. You'll need to treat your pet for at least 3 months to ride out all the life cycles you have in your house and assuming that your pet doesn't pick up a single flea after that, you should be safe. If you live in a warm area it is recommended that you continue to use the product as the fleas continue to survive yearround. It sounds like your pet is sensitve to the flea saliva. Remember it takes 1 drop of saliva from 1 flea to get the reaction started for some pets. Make sure all your pets are treated monthly too!

Answer 3

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Wood and tile floors are perfect - fleas don't settle into those at all. The other infections may settle down on their own or they may require a course of antibiotics or antifungals. Call your vet back and ask but in many cases they can clear up on their own.

Answer 4

Indorex, Acclaim and Staykil all work, but you usually have to treat more than once because they don't kill flea eggs and larvae, so you have to treat again once these have matured in to adult fleas. Skoosh is a new product that does kill eggs and larvae, ask your vet to order some in.

Chalice