How do I rid my 4-month old puppy of fleas, short of a flea dip?

Question

Gracie is four months old today. She is a chi-weenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund mix). We have tried the drops that you topicaly apply as a line from the neck down the back to the top of the torso (like the advantage). We have tried flea and tic powder and shampoos. I have treated carpets furniture, bedding and our other dog and two cats. They are fine but Gracie is still irritated by these fleas. She is not covered in them but it makes my feel bad that she is scratching this often at all. She sleeps with us at night and I have only had a few bites my husband none. Maybe it is not as bad as I feel but they are visible when you turn her on her back to rub her tummy you seem to se a few, every time. I also tried diluted Tea-Tree oil but that caused irritation. Thanks to all ~Dezi~

Answer 1

Lady in the veterinarian's office told me to bath mine in sunlight dish soap. I have also heard Dawn dish soap. Apparently this kills the fleas. This lady was not the veterinarian but the one who fills prescriptions, and I have not tried this my self, I just used the advantage, so I can't say if it works. But it might be worth a try.
P.S. Looking at the advantage direction I see it does not say "apply as a line from the neck down the back to the top of the torso", but rather "Part the hair on the dogs back between the shoulder blades until the skin is visible. Place the tip of the tube on the skin and squeeze the tube to completely empty the contents directly on the skin." I don't think your supposed to put it down the back. I wonder if she could be rubbing it off.

Answer 2

first stop using so many chemicals and products on the dog. you can cause skin irritation by doing so. give the pup a good bath in a non irritating puppy shampoo. flea dips don't work. all they do is kill the fleas on the pet at that moment. as soon as they're dry and back in the environement the fleas come back. wait at least 48 hours before and after bathing, then go to your vet and don't get something like advantage, actually get advantage or frontline. it's more expensive but works. and honestly at this point you've probably spent more money on other treatments than a month's worth of the frontline or advantage. it won't work overnight if the dog's area is infested. also apply advantage or frontline to your other cats and dogs. make sure it's labeled correctly. dog flea meds can kill a cat and if you use the wrong size on a dog it won't work either. you should notice a great improvement in about 5-7 days. also during this time treat your yard and home again with pet safe flea killer. make sure you vaccuum and either throw away the bag or completely clean out the filters, cannister and hose on a bagless vaccuum. simple dishsoap and hot water is not going to work. if they worked advantage and frontline would have never needed to be manufactured and fleas would have been a thing of the past a long time ago on pets.

Answer 3

Which spot-on have you used exactly? You said 'like Advantage' - did you mean Advantage, or something else? There are many different spot-ons, and they're all different chemicals. Pet stores and supermarkets sell spot-ons, but these DO NOT work. Stores aren't allowed to sell the right chemicals, so their stuff is just basic pesticides that don't work.

Get some proper treatment from a vet - ACTUAL Advantage, or Frontline, or Revolution or Advocate. You also must treat ALL of your animals, or you won't be able to get rid of the fleas from your house!

Animals, like people, have differing levels of susceptibility to flea bites, but unless you flea treat them all the dog with the main problem will not be safe. You also need to get a proper spray for your house, from the vets. 95% of any flea population lives in the environment so it's important to spray your house.

Chalice

Answer 4

Are you using the actual Frontline or Advantage product from your vet, or using the stuff you buy at the pet store??

Sorry if it's a redundant question, but there IS a difference in the product. The Bio-Spot and Hartz products, etc, from the pet store or Walmart are pesticides and are actually not good to put on your dog- they may be marginally effective but I have heard of dogs having problems with them.

I've never seen Frontline not work....after working in an animal hospital for 2 yrs in flea-heaven Florida. Flea powders and shampoos are generally not very effective, and only serve to introduce pesticides and chemicals to your dog's environment (and wherever your dog inhabits, she brings along these pesticides....so they may be affecting you and your kids).

The only other thing I can think to suggest- have you treated your yard? There are various products you can treat your lawn with that will kill fleas in the environment. Good luck

Answer 5

Get some "oil of peppermint" from the drugstore or health food store. Just any old peppermint will not work. Put six to ten drops in the palm of your hand. rub the palms of your hands together and then rub the dog on the back. Repeat putting it on your hand, rubbing them together and then do another part of the dog. It doesn't even have to touch the dog's skin to work and it doesn't take much.

I have found that the best way to kill fleas is with hot water.
Take a shallow pan, like a cake pan and set it on the floor. Pour boiling water in it and leave it to cool, which doesn't take long. The fleas are attracted to the heat and jump in and drown. One way to keep it warmer a little longer is to put a light above it. Sounds crazy but it works.
My best,
Hope

Answer 6

from my experience a bath with Dawn dishwashing liquid works pretty good. And if the fleas aren't too bad you can take an alcohol soaked cotton ball and dab where you see a flea...