|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
03-10-2008, 08:08 AM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal
Posts: 63
| Fleas!?! My husband and I have spotted two fleas so far on our maltese, so we are sure our Yorkie, Bear, has them too. We immediately got some flea and tick shampoo. Since we give them baths every week anyhow, we thought this might be a good fit for us. Does anyone have any experience with the flea shampoo? The kind we got is a clear orange liquid... |
Welcome Guest! | |
03-10-2008, 08:24 AM | #2 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona
Posts: 248
| I think the shampoo is just ONE component of getting rid of fleas. You need to vacuum every carpet/upholstered surface and then get rid of the vacuum debris OUTSIDE. Otherwise, the fleas will just get out of the vacuum again! You should consider spraying all areas vacuumed with the flea spray. This is something that can take WEEKS to overcome. I had this issue once many many years ago and since then I am very diligent about using the flea drops monthly! Good luck! Remember, fleas can live OFF the animal for 3 days! You should be treating them every few days and spraying every few days for a week or two! Not fun, Not cheap and Not something you EVER want to go through again!
__________________ Kimberley mom of 4 humans Jordan '88, Jared '90, Jaina '96, Justus '01 and 2 yorkie babies Zoe and Zorak '07(littermates).RNzfoster on myspace |
03-10-2008, 08:29 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona
Posts: 248
| Just for you... http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/fleas.htm EDITED DOWN VERSION OF THE LINK... How can I tell if I have fleas? The first thing you need to do is look for flea feces. This will be small grains of what appears to be dirt. If you take this ‘dirt’ and rub it between your fingers with a small amount of water and it turns red you’ve found your proof. This is because flea feces contains dried blood. The most common place to find it is on “Spot’s” belly, his favorite bed or any area that your pet frequents. This feces drops off and accumulates in recesses. Look closely and you will find it hiding in the soft underfur of his coat or the deep dark recesses of his pet bed. This is where the flea favors to lay its eggs because this is a warm fertile area. I have fleas, now what am I up against? Fleas prefer higher temperatures and higher levels of carbon dioxide. Some eggs will remain on your pet while others fall off, spreading the nuisance intruders stronghold. These eggs will develop into the second stage of the cycle, a larvae, which will feed on this flea feces. This small worm-like larvae will most likely be deeply hidden from view. They are commonly found in the bottom layer of carpeting, pet bedding, or under furniture where they will shed twice before maturing. Here they lay and feed and grow undetected and undisturbed. Before they are detected they become pupae. These develop within a silk-like cocoon, this cocoon is extremely resilient. Inside this protective shell the nuisance insects can live for up to 1 year without feeding. This shell can protect the flea pupae from even some of the strongest flea defenses. This is why just when you think you’ve eradicated the problem and you’re free of the pests they seem to come back out of nowhere. They lay in wait for a host to feed on. They are sensitive to vibrations. Once they sense a vibration they emerge to feed and perpetuate the life cycle. The adult flea can develop and mature in nearly 3 weeks and live the adult stage for approximately 25 days. Now that we know who we are up against, how do we get rid of them? DILIGENCE! Getting Rid of Fleas Several methods are available. Lets start with “Spot”... 1. Flea Collars: The old stand-by method. Available almost everywhere. Moderately effective at keeping fleas off your pet and providing an unhealthy, un-welcoming environment in your pets fur. Be careful as many have harsh and potentially dangerous chemicals, and their placement around the neck can lead to serious compromise of the nervous system if improperly used or mixed with other toxic agents. Read package instructions for size and weight of your dog. 2. Topical Treatments: My personal favorite. Available from your veterinarian or at your local pet store. A few carefully placed drops between the shoulder blades (to keep your pet from ingesting it) will protect “Spot” for quite a while. Common medications include Frontline(R) and Advantage(R) brands. Carefully read package instructions for your dogs size and weight. Check package ingredients for effective chemicals listed below. 3. Oral medications: Available through your veterinarians office. This product is noted for causing the larvae to become unable to reproduce, thus rendering an end to the life cycle. 4. Flea Shampoo/Bathing/Dips: Another favorite. Getting “Spot” all scrubbed up will help ease his discomfort. It will also give you a better idea of just how bad your situation may be. Check his fur CAREFULLY while bathing. Try to remove ALL of the fleas you find. This may be an arduous task but will be well worth the effort. If prevented on “Spot” early enough you may be able to stop the infestation before it takes over your home too. Observe the bath water. If you find fleas are still alive in the bath water they are likely to re-infest your dog with a simple splash. Most flea shampoos only help remove the fleas from your pets fur. Find a shampoo that KILLS the fleas while shampooing your pet. Scrub thoroughly. Take your time. Be patient. When bathing your dog, follow these simple rules to get the most out of your scrubbing. Start at your pets head and work down. Fleas will instinctively move to higher ground. If you start at the head you have better control of the pests and are more able to keep tabs on how well you have eradicated the fleas. Continue by working your way from the head towards the back and the chest. You can use a flea comb as you scrub. But make sure to pull the hair in the opposite direction and work your fingers down to the bottom of the coat. This will help you see if any are hidden in his coat and loosen the possible eggs that lay underneath. Continue working in this fashion to the tip of the tail. Don't stop there. Go back to the head and check for survivors. If you find a few, start from the head and do it ALL again. "Spot" might be getting antsy by this point but it will be for his best. A few minutes in the tub will save him months of digging, chewing and scratching. Remember, taking your pet to have it ‘dipped’ will NOT IN ITSELF ELIMINATE A FLEA INFESTATION IN YOUR HOME! You must treat your home along with your pet. 5. Flea combs: Flea combs will only remove 10-60% of the fleas on your pet. While this product may seem like a good idea it only is relocating your problem. If you comb “Spot” indoors, the fleas simply jump to the carpeting or furniture. If you comb “Spot” outdoors, you are sending them out in the grass only to be picked up and brought back in later. 6. Powders: Flea powders are convenient to use but they should be monitored. This type of treatment can cause dry skin on your pet. Some dogs are prone to dry skin and a powder may cause more harm than good. Powders have been replaced over the years with more sophisticated and effective methods. Treating the House Let's say that we have "Spot" in tip-top shape now. Are we done? NO!!! You MUST MUST MUST treat your home along with your pet. Remember, through exponential growth, if he dropped just one flea it could turn into an infestation. So what do we do about “Spot’s” bedding? What about the carpeting? The furniture? Many items are available. You will need to use a combination of two things; an adulticide along with an insect growth inhibitor. An adulticide does just as its name implies. It kills off the adult through poisoning. The inhibitor interrupts the developmental stages of the cycle rendering the pest unable to reproduce. 1. FOGGERS: These are the "bombs" you find at your local pet or discount department stores. They are somewhat effective, but unfortunately the miss the important areas. They usually do not reach the areas under your furniture and since they are commonly set off in the center of a room they miss the outlying areas. These also require you and your pet to leave your home during fogging. 2. SPRAYS: Best for in-home use. These can be directly sprayed onto areas where you know there is a problem. They can be deliberately sprayed under furniture and beneath couch pillows, on pet beds, into floor cracks, behind curtains, etc. Read package directions carefully. Remember to keep pets and humans off sprayed areas until dry. 3. POWDERS/DUSTS: Some flea powders can be sprinkled into your carpets or pet bedding. Powders help fight the development of pupae into adults, thus rendering an end to the life cycle of flea. Follow package directions carefully. Ask your local pet store what brands they recommend. Read package labels under "active ingredients". Look for a pyrethroid. This is an insecticide that improves on the biological activity of natural pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are extracts of a species of Chrysanathemun, which acts on the insects central nervous system. They are regarded as relatively safe. This is a specific chemical used to kill the adult biting flea. Also look for permethrin. Another ingredient that is very effective is called an IGR (insect growth regulator). This chemical disrupts the normal developmental cycle of the flea rather than poisoning it. It is a very effective weapon in eliminating your pest population by stopping the reproduction cycle. They will be listed as methoprene or pyriproxyfen. These are also available through your vets office and pest control companies. Please keep in mind your pets AGE and SIZE. Do not use treatment for dogs on a cat. One of your best allies in this battle will be your vacuum. After applying these preparations to your home SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP! This will start the removal of fleas. REMEMBER TO REMOVE AND BURN YOUR SWEEPER BAG OR PUT YOUR SWEEPER BAG IN A PLASTIC BAG AFTER EACH SWEEPING! This will keep them from returning to a cozy spot to reproduce. Vacuum thoroughly the areas where you pet sleeps or frequents. Pay particular attention to areas under furniture, along wallboards, close to pet bedding and area or throw rugs and cracks in the floors. You may not "see" that you are sweeping up fleas or eggs but its very likely you are removing feces and eggs/pupae. Remember that fleas are stimulated by vibrations. Your sweeper will stimulate the pupae to emerge, making it vulnerable to insecticides. Run the sweeper over your furniture and wash your bedding. Fleas are not picky about who they bite. If they find a warm host you too could be their next dinner. Written by Piper Cratty
__________________ Kimberley mom of 4 humans Jordan '88, Jared '90, Jaina '96, Justus '01 and 2 yorkie babies Zoe and Zorak '07(littermates).RNzfoster on myspace |
03-10-2008, 08:30 AM | #4 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| I dont like flea shampoos. You can wash with dawn dishsoap and it will kill the fleas
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
03-10-2008, 08:31 AM | #5 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| What shampoo are you using? Some of those are very dangerous. Have you tried Dawn dish soap or a product from the vet?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
03-10-2008, 08:49 AM | #6 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal
Posts: 63
| Thank you everyone for all of your help. I am using Hearty's Flea and Tick shampoo (I think that is what it is called). |
03-10-2008, 08:51 AM | #7 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
Great Post, I'm keeping it just in case Joey ever gets these nasty little things.
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals | |
03-10-2008, 09:01 AM | #8 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| If you mean Hartz, please stop using it. That has killed several animals and shouldn't even be allowed on the market.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
03-10-2008, 09:12 AM | #9 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania
Posts: 783
| If you see even one live flea there are probably hundreds you don't see. They multiply like crazy |
03-10-2008, 10:10 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal
Posts: 63
| OMG I had NO Idea it was so bad! I already used it…. I hope my babies will be okay. I will stop using that shampoo… gosh I knew fleas would be hard to get rid of… but I had not idea just how hard. Sounds like I have my work cut out for me. Maybe I should just rip up the carpet and put tile down! |
03-10-2008, 10:14 AM | #11 | |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Quote:
http://www.hartzvictims.org/ Here is a website about it. I guess the chemical is close to being banned.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 | |
03-10-2008, 10:18 AM | #12 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: East Texas
Posts: 58
| One way to get rid of fleas in your carpet is put moth balls in your vacuum cleaner (if you have a bagless.) This was told to me by a pest control man and it WORKS. I had fleas from another dog and this did wonders for my house. The fleas will die inside the vacuum because of the moth balls that way you don't have to worry about them escaping.
__________________ Mary Rascal Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club, Little Gentlemen's Club, Petite Pups United |
03-10-2008, 10:23 AM | #13 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal
Posts: 63
| Thank you all so much for the advice. I will use dawn from now on instead of Hartz. I am going to try the moth balls thing and also look into Advantage and Frontline. My hubby and I are on a really tight budget and trying to do things the simple but effective way. Thanks again everybody! And especially thanks for the warning on the shampoo... could have saved my babies lives. |
03-10-2008, 11:44 AM | #14 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC
Posts: 2,837
| My advice would be to get a capstar from the vet, they're very cheap..one pill will kill every flea on them..then get them on something for fleas/hearworms..I am using sentinel, as it's a chewable pill, and you give once a month..I really don't like the revolution or anything you have to put on between their shoulders and while they're wet, mine all roll over and make a mess out of themselves, and it looks greasy for awhile.. |
03-10-2008, 11:54 AM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal
Posts: 63
| Thanks very much. I will definetly look into that option. I agree about putting the topical stuff on... my problem is that I give them kisses all over and would definetly end up with flea medication on my face:P |
Bookmarks |
|
|
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart