what do i need to do to get rid of fleas on my dog?

Question

My dog is bichon frise and he gets fleas really bad!!! I've tried it all, Frontline, K9 advantix,Capstar, Shampoos And brewers yeast. He stays infested I have no problem killing the fleas just keeping them off. None of my other animals have them. I've even had the yard& house proffesionally treated more than once. I know my other animals don't have them because I check dailly. I even use shampoo that is not supposed to wash off my flea treatments. Something about this dog just attracts them, he is covered in sores from digging and scatching. I've been to 4 different vets. they just keep telling me to treat his enviroment. I have!!! and you don't see other people who take their dogs with them everywhere they go have this problem and you know they are not always in a flea free area. I thought they were supposed to repel also . PLEASE HELP I'M DESPERATE!!!!!!!

Answer 1

First let me tell you that I own a pest control company and what I will recommend is the complete treatment that should help you completely get rid of the fleas. You mentioned that your Bichon is the only dog that has fleas. Fleas are attracted to lights, and light colors. If your other animals are dark colors, it would explain why the fleas are drawn to this one.

First, treat the pet with Capstar. This is a pill that you get from the vet that will kill all of the fleas that get on the animal for the first 24 hours. Second, use either Frontline or Advantage, these can also be purchased from the vet. Frontline can be used on pets 12 weeks old or older. Advantage can be used on animals as young as 6 weeks. If the pet is old enough for either product, switch back and forth between the two. One month use one, the next use the other. The reason I recommend this is that there are two main types of fleas that infest pets. One product works better on the first type and the other product works better on the second type. By using both, you make sure you have covered all your bases.

Once the pet has been treated, you must treat your home and yard. The best products to do this would include not only a killing agent, but also a sterilization agent. Inside, I would use Ultracide, if you can get it. (Many on line sites sell it.) Follow the instructions on the label Wash all animal’s bedding and vacuum frequently. I WOULD NOT put any chemical in the vacuum bag or catch container, other than a flea collar. It is too dangerous to risk the vacuum accidentally spreading that chemical through the air. Throw out the vacuum bag or dump the catch container after every vacuuming. You can never vacuum too much!!! DO NOT STEAM CLEAN YOUR RUGS This can hatch flea eggs and make your problem worse.

Outside I would use Demon WP mixed with Gentrol or Nylar, carefully following label instructions. Treat the entire yard, paying special attention to under bushes and low hanging branches. Most of these products can be bought at any Do-It-Yourself Pest Control company either on line or in a store.

Treating your house and yard is just as important as treating the pet. This all must be done at the same time for it to be the most effective. (At the very least, the same day.)

It is also very important to stay away from the grocery store or box store products like Zodiac or Hartz. Many of these products can cause severe allergic reactions in animals.

Answer 2

There's no such thing as a shampoo that doesn't wash off flea treatments - just don't use any, especially with 48 hours before or after applying your spot-on.

Stick with Frontline, Advantix or Revolution, and just make sure it gets on your dog's SKIN, not his fur - very important. This stuff kills adult fleas within 24 hours and repels them for up to a month.

I have found that so-called 'professional exterminators' don't always work - I don't think they actually have access to any chemicals that vets do not. It's just a matter of using the right stuff the right way. I would try to get hold of Skoosh flea spray, it's a new product that's actually pesticide free and actually does kills flea, eggs and larvae. Your vet can order it in even if he doesn't stock it. www.skooshthefleas.com

You probably do need to treat your other pets as well, because even if they don't have fleas (unlikely) their body heat, breath and movement is attracting fleas, which may then well be attacking your poor other dog. Some animals suffer more with fleas than others

So:
1) Get the spot-on on the skin, not the fur
2) Don't bath the dog
3) Get hold of some Skoosh

Chalice

Answer 3

There is ONLY 1 cure for fleas. This is also a terrific preventative!!! I work in a vet clinic and clients who have complained about repeated flea infestations always reply with great feedback with the following product. The name of the product is Revolution. This product is a non-invasive, 1 minute treatment, once a month. The topical solution that comes in a small tube (dependant on each dog's weight) and is applied once monthly between the shoulder blades. The reason it is the only cure is because it cures all 3 stages of the flea life, the egg, larvae and adult. Whereas your over-the-counter shampoos/flea collars/sprays are TOXIC and can be dangerous because they are produced with pesticides!!!!! and are only targeting the adult fleas! Other benefits to Revolution include preventative care for heartworm disease, mange mites, and ticks.
www.revolutionpets.com
I must add that this is veterinary exclusive, so it may mean a trip to the doctor!
Further information: This product absorbs in to the blood stream therefore, if a flea were to attatch, it would be killed off immediately after feeding.

Answer 4

Trying using Advantage once a month and put Neosporin in the sores. There could be eggs down in the sores that the treatments aren't getting to. You may need to shave the spots around the sores to treat them better. You may even have to boil them out with hydrogen peroxide. None of the other flea killers ever worked for me neither.

Answer 5

dawn dish detergenr...wet him good....put the dawn on him heavily...alot of suds....let it sit on him for 20-30 minutes....wash him till all the soap comes out....try a little APPLE CIDER VINEGAR mixed with his food...and put some in his water....just enough that he will not smell it....I also put salt all over the house on the floor.....on the furniture too....vacuum thouroughtly the day after.....I had a bad flea problem and it worked for me....my dogs are huskies and have double coats of fur and the fleas were killing them....we did this and at one point we pulled 50 fleas a day off them and now there is one or two...also get a flea comb....comb him when he comes in from outside petetively....it will help...

Good Luck...

Answer 6

Have you tried Adams products? Gosh it seems like you've tried everything. Good Luck......poor puppy!

Answer 7

try (adams tick and flea mist) it works like a charm. you can get it at lots of places like tractor supply, petco, the co-op, petsmart. and places like that. hope it works.