Dog Community

Fleas? Seriously?!!?

Posted : 10/10/2012 11:27:33 PM

So, I think I have finally figured out that Luke has fleas. Maybe a week or so ago, I was brushing him, and found a bug on him. He's also had some black dirt in his hair when I've brushed him for a bit. Today, I pulled another bug of the same type off while brushing him. So, I finally looked up how to tell if a dog has fleas. That black stuff appears to be flea dirt. Great.

I'm using Certifect. Apparently that's not working. He is due for it on the 15th, but given that he's had it for at least a week, wearing off early isn't the issue. The area with fabrics he spends the most time in is my room. The other area would be the couches. Those have covers, and we wash them fairly often. Hopefully I can just throw them in the wash in hot water. I don't know what to do about my room though. I have an open fish tank , no lid at all, not that I would trust a fish tank lid to protect the tank. Maybe I could put an air pump in to give the fish air and cover it with plastic.

Callie sleeps in the same room as him. I checked her, and there appears to be no signs of fleas on her. She and our other dog are on Advantix, so that is obviously still working. I think he has one Certifect left, but he'll be going to Advantix.

I just looked now on the Petsmart site. I see they have some sprays and carpet powders, which would be safer in my room. The Adams shampoo seems to get the best reviews. Any reasons not to use it? I'm also thinking I might just want to wash everyone as a precaution. Would you do that? Any harm there? Do I need to also treat things he wears, like his weight pull harness, flyball harness, etc? If I treat him tomorrow, he's to go places this weekend, right?

JackieG

Posted : 10/11/2012 9:13:43 AM

Adams makes good products that are very effective. I'd also vacuum all the carpets, furniture and every nook and crevice to get any flea eggs because they fall off the dog. Repeat any treatment in a week to ten days. Check with the manufacturer of Certifect and Advantix to make sure you can use the flea shampoo since the dogs have been treated with those products. I think it's safe but best to check to make sure.

Liesje

Posted : 10/11/2012 9:42:13 AM

If I find an actual flea on a dog I use Capstar tablets, last time I used it it was cheaper than buying a flea shampoo (which do not kill fleas but repel them). The Capstar will kill the fleas fast and relieve the dog. I have used the carpet powder once and I vacuum daily anyway. It's probably been four years since that incident and I haven't had a flea outbreak since.

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/11/2012 10:19:27 AM

I said this on what I replied on FB but Frontline hasn't worked down here in a couple of years. Not ... at .... all.

Like Lies I also use Capstar if everbuddy happens to get into fleas somewhere.

But specifically to your question because you take Luke to pet therapy. If I have Pet therapy on Saturday I make sure any Advantage (or whatever) goes on the dogs NO later than Wednesday morning (and Tuesday is better). You want it to spread over the dog and for all the scent to go away before you go to pet therapy. At least that's what works for me.

I like the capstar because it levels the playing field FAST. I don't use it often, but it kills any flea on the dog within just an hour or so. Then the spot on can work at prevention. Usually I have to go to Petco (not my favorite store) for the Capstar. I never have to use it very often (maybe once a year if that).

The other place I dust with diatamaceous earth is my laundry building. Now I'm in Florida so it's weird (it's not in my house -- it's a small building on the other side of the patio). But fleas LOVE laundry buildings down here (concrete floor and all?). David hates it when I want to spray the lawn with something for fleas -- he'd rather run the DE around (and you have to repeat it if it rains ugh). That's just a dessicant so food grade DE is pretty safe. It's not convenient but it IS effective.

griffinej5

Posted : 10/11/2012 10:31:21 AM

I bought the Adams stuff, the shampoo and the carpet powder. Luckily, we have very little carpeting.

Luke's therapy day is Tuesday, and he is due on the 15th of the month for stuff. Usually, if the 15 th falls after Saturday, I will wait till right after we come home. This weekend though, he has a demo Saturday, and flyball practice Sunday. This is like the one demo we cannot skip. I will wash him when I get home in a little bit, and apply Advantix as late as possible tomorrow. Then I'll probably just have to not allow him to be petted at the demo.

I mentioned it to the cashier at petsmart. She said frontline isn't working anymore.

griffinej5

Posted : 10/11/2012 10:36:51 AM

The Adams shampoo I bought says it kills fleas and eggs.

JackieG

Posted : 10/11/2012 11:00:50 AM

griffinej5
The Adams shampoo I bought says it kills fleas and eggs.

It can't kill any egss that have already fallen off. The eggs don't stay on the host very long. Vacuum and put the debris you vacuum into a tightly closed bag and toss out. I totally forgot about Capstar even though I keep it on hand for strays I pick up and if I see fleas on the dogs which I haven't since using Comfortis/Trifexis.

griffinej5

Posted : 10/11/2012 11:24:50 AM

I should clarify, I bought the shampoo and the powder. I powdered the couches and my room. I can give it 2 hours on the couches till I have to leave. Then I'll probably sleep there and let it have 24 in my room, and my bedding won't all be dry anyway. Should I get capstar in addition to this stuff?

oranges81

Posted : 10/11/2012 8:25:05 PM

I would get the Capstar as well for Luke. I bought it this year for all the dogs in my house. Normally I use a petstore brand flea treatment but this year has been brutal for the fleas. I HATE using chemicals and almost made it without buying any. I use DE on the dogs and spot flea treatment for the cats. Gain laundry detergent works wonders in the yard but be warned that it kills ALL bugs.

The Capstar will give almost instant relief then you can bathe him to remove the dead fleas and eggs.That's what I do anyways. Good luck with your battle!

griffinej5

Posted : 10/11/2012 9:12:15 PM

Well, I washed him today, and that seemed to kill the bugs, or at least I saw dead bugs go down the drain. He really didn't have many on him. His vet records are online since 2011. Twice in 2011, he was treated for tapeworms. I have to wonder if he might have picked up a few fleas on those occasions, and gotten the tapes from that. I'll never know of course.

He has pet insurance. If I get the Capstar through my vet, if I do get it, it counts towards his deductible. I may call and see what they think I should do.