Fleas!

Diatomacious earth is where it's AT, yo. Linky: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001THVH9G

Do some reading on it, first. But I didn't even go crazy - I just dusted Wendy's favorite laying spots and the insides of the dog beds.

I had to switch to Sentinel, eventually. It's not "new" but that's ok with me!

Sentinel is Interceptor (heartworm prev) plus the old "Program" drug that makes it so fleas can't develop the outer "shell" -- Program is like "birth control" for fleas.  So the first flea has to 'bite' the dog but then any progeny that flea has will be unable to live.  But nothing about Sentinel "kills" fleas on your dog.

DE is GREAT stuff -- you can actually dust it on their coat.  You just have to use "food grade" DE for dogs (i.e., don't get it from Home Depot, etc.)  DE is a dessicant -- it literally sucks the moisture out of fleas and kills them. 

don't give it to the dog internally -- you *can* but it's like giving them ground glass.  Hard on the intestinal tract (altho they DO give it for intestinal parasites but I'd rather do that with the Interceptor/Sentinel)

But you can use it in the house, in the yard, on their coats -- and it works great. (and remember -- Meg & I are both in Flooor-daaaa -- land of the flea and all other yucky parasites)

It depends on where you live -- down here Frontline just isn't working well any more.  So I've gone back to Advantage for when I need something more aggressive.

You shouldn't need to bomb your apartment unless you find TONS of them. 

In an apartment, fleas can come right thru the concrete block around your unit.  So honestly THAT is a great place for DE. 

Thanks, guys!!! I'm in an "apartment," but it's really more like a duplex - I have a ground level, and a basement. I wonder if, with all the rain, maybe the fleas came inside to where it's dry?

I'll pick up some DE and call the vet about Sentinel etc.

Do you think the first step should be to re-apply some Frontline, or give a bath with flea shampoo, or....? So far I haven't seen any fleas except for ON the dog - hoping to keep it that way! :)

sentinel is a birth control for fleas... It does NOT kill them. if you're seeing fleas, you need something to kill them - otherwise your going to battle a vicious cycle that's not going to quit.

The biggest key it to treat the environment. Borax powder works great for carpets. They have it in the laundry isle in places like walmart. I, personally, use comfortis for all my dogs, and advantage on the cats. We have a HUGE problem down here, so I don't take any chances. If the frontline's not cutting it for you, I'd first contact Merial for a refund (they also have a program where if you've applied it consecutively for three months and are still seeing fleas they will treat your home for FREE. Only if you've purchased from a vet though). If you're going to switch, I'd go to advantage or comfortis. I'd honestly not waste your money on sentinel right now if you're already seeing fleas.

ETA: If you're seeing them on the dog, chances are they've already laid eggs in the home as well. Not trying to gross you out - just sharing! lol

The *first* thing I'd do is bathe him in plain old Head & Shoulders.  Not toxic, and it stuns fleas better than almost anything (and you can use Suave's version too).  BUT you gotta comb him then with a flea comb and flick the fleas you do find into a dish of soap & water.  (mostly soap)

DE should take care of the carpets.  I know a lot on here use Comfortis --but I don't like the potential seizure side effects (that's how it kills the fleas -- it literally causes them to have seizures & die).  Like I said -- I know a *lot* of folks on here use Comfortis -- but Tink's already showing seizurey stuff so I'm taking no chances.  Advantage IS working well for me here (and I'm only about 100+ miles from Erica) so I'm good there.

I have the same problem this year.  I have used DE outside around the house but didnt know you could use it on the dogs.  I am going to go today to get some.  I usually use Advantix on my boys but changed this year.  I normally have more problems with tics.  I used something else for a few months and it was not helping so I went back to Advantix.  My vet is discontinnuing the Advantix and going to carry Certifect?? Havent read up on that one yet.

calliecritturs

don't give it to the dog internally -- you *can* but it's like giving them ground glass.  Hard on the intestinal tract (altho they DO give it for intestinal parasites but I'd rather do that with the Interceptor/Sentinel)

I never disagree with callie... but I have to here. We actually buy food grade DE in bulk (it's a very fine, white chalky powder) that we both spread on the ground/kennels & dogs as well as feed. we feed it because the dgs travel and we've encountered resistant parasites to the traditional wormers. In fact, I've seen digestion and stool consistency improve with the use of DE and there was no digestive upset or dogs turned off to the food by its addition. Food grade is definately not like feeding ground glass (non food grade gets to be like glass shards due to the treatment of it), it is very safe though extensive discussion with your vet is recommended as with any change. I was excited that both my holistic and traditional country vets agreed on its use. I've just been so pleased with this that I had to share in case anyon was considering feeding it. We have a very, very large kennel of dogs with a variety of skin/digestive temperaments and even the most sensitive of dogs has done very well.

I'd be happy to report back on its long term efficacy against parasites, we're doing a bit of a self multi-year study with groups on and off it and groups with DE and traditional dewormers.

Thanks so much for your ideas, everyone!!

Picked up some DE and Capstar and hopefully those two + Frontline will knock these little nasties out!!

I realize this may seem like not a big deal to some, and so maybe it seems silly for me to ask at all, but after having Rascal for 5 years now, this is the first time we've had any issue with fleas. There seem to be tons of stories about people having to go to crazy lengths to get rid of fleas once they've had them in their house, so, I've been freaking out a bit. I'm the only one I know around here with pets, so I don't have much of a "real life network" to ask, either. Really appreciate the advice!

A lot of people are having issues this year, ones that have never had a flea before. I've seen more in my area, as well - but it's been nothing my regular preventives haven't been able to handle.

Certifect is merial's new product. Basically, it's frontline with a slight amount of amitrez to make it more effective and faster with the ticks. It's not a huge dosage, and the studies seem to be pretty good for it. No issues with cat households either, according to our rep. Have yet to have any clients use it though, so I can't really say more than that!

This is the first year in a long time that I've had an issue with fleas. I dealt with them on the dogs last month and just found one on the cats tonight. So on went the flea collar (not my best choice and it's only on for a day or so) and hartz safe guard flea treatment. Normally I use Revolution on my animals as needed, but since I just lost my job, money's tight. I don't like using the cheap stuff but right now I have no choice...

Good luck!