I am DEAD certain that my puppy has fleas. My boyfriend said he saw small black bugs on him after playing outside. He is always scratching or something. When we take him to the vet, the vet says she sees no fleas or flea dirt. I want to just give him something to be sure. I would hate the thought of fleas in my house.
2007-10-18 09:36:10 · 16 answers · asked by chocolate_krys2000 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, you should treat him anyway.
Pet store products can certainly hurt you dog and better yet, they don't work. So stay away! Veterinary products work and are safe - get some Frontline. The spot-on can be used from 8 weeks of age, and the spray from 2 days of age. It stays on the animal's skin, does not affect them internally.
Chalice
2007-10-18 11:26:30 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most flea prevention will not hurt him if he does or doesn't have fleas. If he does, it kills the fleas, if he doesn't, it prevents the fleas from jumping on him and biting him. However, most fleas preventatives (i.e. BioSpot, Zodiac, Hartz, Adams, etc - the cheap ones) cannot be given to puppies 12 weeks and under. Frontline Plus, K9 Advantix and Advantage can be given to puppies at least 8 weeks of age and is guaranteed to work for 4 weeks. It is more money, but is worth every penny - you get what you pay for.
If your puppy is less them 12 weeks, you can bathe him in non-concentrated Dawn dishsoap to kill the fleas (it suffocates them).
Since the vet said there are no fleas and he is still itching, your pup may be allergic to something like his food or other common allergies. Your vet should at least have some suggestions on what it may be if it is not fleas. It could also be mites, however, the vet would have seen that as well. If you are certain it could be fleas or mites and you saw them yourself, go to another vet to get a proper diagnosis.
You don't need a prescription to get any of those flea preventatives I mentioned. You can get them at any pet store.
2007-10-18 16:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by crazypelo77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep in mind that flea treatments are pesticides. I know you may want to do this as a preventative and he may be old enough to handle it (call the Vet and ask) but I hate the idea of using something on him that he doesn't need.
I know it's all about prevention. I get that. How about you put him in a tub of warm water - sit him in there and be sure the water is up to his shoulders - then wait and see if any fleas float to the top of the water and/or the area on him above the water line. If the little buggers are on him, the fast ones will crawl to the driest part of him.
If there are no fleas, then I vote against flea treatments.
2007-10-18 17:28:31 · answer #3 · answered by k9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sure would be hesitant to flea meds on a puppy that is less than a few months old.... When one of our puppies got fleas, the vet had us wash them with Dawn dish soap - I know its still a chemical, but its not nearly as harsh as flea meds. You have to give them a couple baths for a couple days, but it cleared them right up. (Your dog might have a skin allergy or dry skin, in which case, none of the above would work and you would want to ask the vet for a medicated shampoo)
2007-10-18 16:55:50 · answer #4 · answered by maggie h 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on his age. If he is over 8 weeks old, you can safely use Frontline Plus or Advantage on a puppy. They are preventatives, so the point is to give them to prevent fleas from getting on your puppy in the first place and they'll kill any that might be there now.
2007-10-18 16:40:29 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!!! My dog had seizures after using flea meds on her. She continued seizures for the rest of her life. I will NEVER use flea meds again. Try Dr. Bronners liquid soap (available at healtfood stores and online), when you do bathe him. I use the eucalyptus and dilute it with water. About 1/2 and 1/2. This is great for fleas!!! And vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Every day for a few weeks. Good luck!! Check this answer out from another Yahoo user, this is great advice! http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070825091929AAUBb8M&show=7
2007-10-18 17:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by ♪♥♫♥~Misty Shadows~♥♫♥♪ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even if ur puppy doesnt have fleas, flea medicine will keep it that way and wont hurt it. just make sure u read the information and instructions on it because some of them require differant ages to use on puppies
2007-10-18 17:13:39 · answer #7 · answered by danielson 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Flea medication kills fleas and/or prevents fleas. It will not hurt your puppy. I put flea medication on my cat once a month. By doing that I will be killing any fleas that are on him and when he goes outside it will prevent him from getting fleas.
2007-10-18 16:59:34 · answer #8 · answered by ilovehorses 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Frontline or Advantage for Puppies would be ideal for your Puppy. Certainly won't hurt him and will get rid of any fleas that might be around but not neccessarily on the dog.
2007-10-18 16:46:16 · answer #9 · answered by essjaynz1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some flea and tick medication from your vet. Advantix, Frontline, etc. Make sure it's for puppies.
2007-10-18 16:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by Bonzie12 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋