My two dogs have fleas... I used store brand flea medication (the liquid stuff u put on their necks) and they had a crazy reaction to it, So I have been bathing them everyday with mild flea shampoo and nothing seems to work. I don't want to try any insecticide because one is also nursing. What else is there to do? I hate seeing them scratch.
2007-10-27 14:01:03 · 8 answers · asked by Sara 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
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.
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
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.
2007-10-27 14:06:35 · answer #1 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Store-bought flea products do not work, and often cause reactions as you've discovered. Flea shampoos also don't work - nothing bought from a pet store does. Pet stores aren't licensed to sell the proper chemicals for flea treatment - anything you find in store is just going to be a basic pesticide that you can't expect to work.
You say you don't want to use insecticides - but you already have! The flea shampoo and spot-ons you've used contain insecticides, but not ones that are appropriate for application to dogs and cats, hence the bad reaction. Any flea treatments allowed to be sold in stores usually contain organophosphates - cheap insecticides that have been around for decades and are more commonly used for crop-spraying. So don't buy them!
Get a proper treatment from a vets. Frontline, Revolution, Advantage an Advocate are all specially formulated for application to animals, and they also work. Get some Frontline spray if you're still worried - it's safe to use on puppies and kittens from 2 days of age. You will need to treat the puppies too.
Chalice
2007-10-28 19:33:34 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my, dont use anything that is made by Hartz or Zodiac. I am a dog groomer and have seen severe reactions to their products. Such as a cat literally being burned and losing his hair. Advantage is the only flea medication I recommened I dont know where you are but you can get this from your vet in Canada because it is controlled by the OVMA. In the states you can get it at Walmart and elsewhere easily. Another thing you can try is Dawn dishwashing detergent. This only will kill the fleas that are on the dog and will not repel or kill fleas that hatch after the bath. If you house is infested, you may have to purchase a premisis spray such as Siphotrol made by Vet Kem. You can also get this from your vet. This spray has a residual affect for up to 7 months.
Good luck
2007-10-27 21:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by tailsnnails 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well,you are treating the dogs but not the problem...have you noticed that the fleas have legs and are mobile? you need to treat the house,the yard and the pets with meds from your vets office for the best results and please be aware that this will take a few months if you work hard at it...ask your vet tech for the flea speech.
2007-10-27 21:04:57 · answer #4 · answered by mups mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take them to the vet and get some Frontline. It isn't very expensive and works great, kills 98% of fleas and will keep them off of YOU too! Please do not use the store brand medicine, it has been proven to cause great harm to animals skin. Frontline is a safe alternative!!
2007-10-27 21:04:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jenny A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a flea collar.
When my dog had fleas I used that and with in a week the fleas were gone and my dog didnt mind it!
2007-10-27 21:32:53 · answer #6 · answered by Britny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I found a great all natural website that had great FLEA REMEDIES. I will send you the links. The best part is it wont hurt your doggies,
peace
GG
2007-10-30 01:37:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might sounded crazy but believe me its works. Use Dawn soap they hate the smell of it. We have alot of woods and get them every year and dawn soap really does work pls try it.
2007-10-27 21:36:53 · answer #8 · answered by heaven 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋