Fleas - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Kenneth62 · 11-23-2013, 05:18 AM

My Yorkie has had a flea problem now for about three months. I live in a apartment complex with other dogs although my dog does not generally mix with other dogs, I do take him for walks around the compound.
I have regularly used Advantage II however was told that sine my dog is 5.5lbs and the box says for 10 lbs and under that I probably could get by with using a half of a ampule and putting the rest in the refrigerator until the next month.
Well my dog got fleas so I went to a full ampule monthly and he was given a flee bath by groomer and that did not work. For the past several months I have used Advantage on a weekly to bi weekly basis and have sprayed my apartment inside parameter several times with Bonide Flea and roach spray.
I still have flea problems.
My dog's hair is very thick and I try to part the hair on the back of the neck and aply his flea medicine. I am not sure exactly how much is getting down to his skin but would guess it should be a decent amount.
A neighbor in the next building over has told me her short hair dog also has flea problems so guessing the problem may be pretty wide spread.
Any suggestions for alleviating this flea problem would be appreciated.

Tphelps · 11-23-2013, 06:20 AM

I know Trifexis has a lot of bad publicity especially on this site but I use it for fleas and heart worm. Piper is 6 plus and Jilly is 5 pounds. We give half of the pill with food on the first day of the month and half of the pill with food on the second day. No problems and no fleas. I don't think dogs under 5 pounds should take it. This has been my personal experience.

theporkieyorkie · 11-23-2013, 08:10 AM

I had fleas this year. Revolution has worked best for me...but when I got fleas, my boys were on sentinal...so here is what I did.

To treat the dogs....
I went and bought Frontline to use along with the Sentinal. I also went and bought natural flea shampoo from Petco. I washed my dogs with the shampoo, letting it sit on them as long as the directions said. I then put the frontline on. Since both Sentinal and Frontline are once a month, I staggered them. I used Sentinal on the 1st and Frontline on the 15th...so I didn't overdo it and just in case they lost their strength towards the end. I also repeated the natural flea bath in 4 days to a week if they were still itching.

To treat the environment....

I got this product called Knockout. It's by Virbac. I bought it at the vets office and I LOVE it. I am typically not fond of spraying any chemical sprays in my house, but this stuff works. I sprayed it on their bedding, my bedding, the sofa, carpeting etc etc. It is supposed to have, I believe, a 6 month residual so it keeps on working. This works better than any other house treatment I've tried.

I've also treated the yard with 7 dut because my dogs were bringing fleas in from outside. If you live in an apartment, your dogs may be bringing them in from outside...or even the hallways.

Christinee · 11-23-2013, 09:00 AM

I have been using triflexis for a while now and never ever see a flea on Charlie. The last time i gave it to him he got really itchy for a day, which i guess is a side effect. I didn't like that at all. I have a new vet and will ask his opinion the next time he is due for a treatment. I'm hoping I can avoid giving any treatment by keeping the fleas out of the house, but with walks and everything it's bound to happen eventually. So yes, triflexis works but I am still on the fence about it. Ask your vet.

yorkiefan_ · 11-23-2013, 10:15 AM

Comfortis was the only thing that ever worked on Minnie (12 lbs) for me. Right now Cookie (6.5 lbs) is on it also, and it works pretty well. Before my vet put her on Comfortis she was just getting eaten alive by fleas. My neighborhood has tons of outside dogs and the area is pretty warm and humid, so I imagine it's a perfect place for fleas to thrive.

Christinee · 11-23-2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

Comfortis was the only thing that ever worked on Minnie (12 lbs) for me. Right now Cookie (6.5 lbs) is on it also, and it works pretty well. Before my vet put her on Comfortis she was just getting eaten alive by fleas. My neighborhood has tons of outside dogs and the area is pretty warm and humid, so I imagine it's a perfect place for fleas to thrive.

I am going to ask about Comfortis too. Definitely more a fan of the pill forms than the liquids. They seem to do a better job.

TxVicki · 11-23-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

Comfortis was the only thing that ever worked on Minnie (12 lbs) for me. Right now Cookie (6.5 lbs) is on it also, and it works pretty well. Before my vet put her on Comfortis she was just getting eaten alive by fleas. My neighborhood has tons of outside dogs and the area is pretty warm and humid, so I imagine it's a perfect place for fleas to thrive.

Two of my 3 get Comfortitis monthly. My Luci is too small to take it. She is only 3 pounds. I have never had a problem with using it. I do how ever give it 10 day's after their HW Pill.

gracielove · 11-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Make sure that you don't bathe your dog for at least 3 days after the Advantage has been put on and always wait at least 3 days after the bath to apply the product. It is really important not to put it on right after the bath. It makes a big difference on how well it works. It is actually about worthless if you put it on after a bath.

The vacuum is one of your best weapons with fleas. Make sure you do under the cushions of your furniture as well as along the edges of the room and under the furniture. Clean the bedding of course. Those fleas can lay thousands of eggs and no flea product can keep up with a large amount of fleas hatching and jumping on your pet.

There is an all natural product called Diatomaceous Earth that you can sprinkle in and around your home that will help kill any stragglers. You can put it on your dog, too. It is perfectly harmless just make sure you get the food grade and not the stuff they use for pools.
Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade Benefits:Gallon Jars to 50 pound bags

If you get a flea comb it is good to use it after you have brought your dog in from a walk. Just a quick going over can pick up any critters that may have hitched a ride.

sandy simpson · 11-23-2013, 02:07 PM

I would stay away from triflexis. Too many sick dogs and reactions with it. I used revolution and liked it. Be real careful with sprays. My Yorkies would probably lick that and ingest it. I let flea bombs off one year and had four poodles at the er vet very sick. Yorkies are very sensitive so just watch and research what you use. Listen to what others have experienced also. Had a friend used comfortis and it worked. I haven't heard problems with that.

ColesMommy01 · 11-23-2013, 04:58 PM

If you want to take a more "natural" approach I've used apple cider vinegar for fleas/ticks on both my dogs for the last 4 months and haven't had any issues. I previously gave triflexis until my bulldog had a bad reaction. I was not going to take that chance with my 2# yorkie. So far 4 months with no fleas/ticks. I hope you find something that works for you

mjleggett · 11-28-2013, 06:17 AM

PLEASE do not use the Trifexis. Sure, it works very well, no fleas at all in my house. But, the poison killed my 4# Yorkie. At the advice of my vet, I was giving her 1/2 a tab, once a month. She was a perfectly healthy little girl for 11 years. Suddenly, she developed kidney damage and we had to put her down. I had her on a kidney cleanse diet for her entire life. In my heart of hearts, I KNOW it was the Trifexis. Do the research...it's certainly out there.

I adopted a new little girl last week and took her to the vet for a check up. She's 1-1/2. First thing they insisted on starting was Trifexis...I walked out. The vets in this country are getting a pretty penny for selling this poison. Some are coming around (again, do the research and you will see).

Sticking with Heartguard and Frontline.

RammaJ · 11-30-2013, 06:21 AM

I use comfortis once a month my yorkie is 5lbs, key thing is make sure they have eaten a meal before giving it and they should be fine. I stop giving it during the winter months, but summers in florida the fleas will carry him away. they need to be on something down here.

OwnedByJezebel · 11-30-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

I would stay away from triflexis. Too many sick dogs and reactions with it. I used revolution and liked it. Be real careful with sprays. My Yorkies would probably lick that and ingest it. I let flea bombs off one year and had four poodles at the er vet very sick. Yorkies are very sensitive so just watch and research what you use. Listen to what others have experienced also. Had a friend used comfortis and it worked. I haven't heard problems with that.

The active ingredient in Comfortis is spinosad, which is also the component used for flea control in Trifexis. So if you are wary of Trifexis, definitely do not use Comfortis!

sandy simpson · 11-30-2013, 09:27 AM

Do Not use triflexis. Too risky and all you need to do is go on the web and read all the side effects and deaths in dogs. I would not use that, even tho my vet said to use it. Forget it, I always do my homework before I give meds. Yorkies are sensitive and you can cause a lot of problems with certain drugs.

Christinee · 11-30-2013, 09:48 AM

The problem with me is nothing works as good as the pills. Frontline just flat out doesn't work. I believe revolution did before, Maybe it would be a good idea to look into that again. I'd hate to be giving him some pill that in the long run is destroying his insides somehow and it shows up later in life. That is scary stuff!

11-23-2013, 05:18 AM	#1
Kenneth62 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Knoxville,Tn,USA Posts: 20	Fleas My Yorkie has had a flea problem now for about three months. I live in a apartment complex with other dogs although my dog does not generally mix with other dogs, I do take him for walks around the compound. I have regularly used Advantage II however was told that sine my dog is 5.5lbs and the box says for 10 lbs and under that I probably could get by with using a half of a ampule and putting the rest in the refrigerator until the next month. Well my dog got fleas so I went to a full ampule monthly and he was given a flee bath by groomer and that did not work. For the past several months I have used Advantage on a weekly to bi weekly basis and have sprayed my apartment inside parameter several times with Bonide Flea and roach spray. I still have flea problems. My dog's hair is very thick and I try to part the hair on the back of the neck and aply his flea medicine. I am not sure exactly how much is getting down to his skin but would guess it should be a decent amount. A neighbor in the next building over has told me her short hair dog also has flea problems so guessing the problem may be pretty wide spread. Any suggestions for alleviating this flea problem would be appreciated.

11-23-2013, 10:15 AM	#5
yorkiefan_ I ♥ my Cookie Monster! Donating Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,999	Comfortis was the only thing that ever worked on Minnie (12 lbs) for me. Right now Cookie (6.5 lbs) is on it also, and it works pretty well. Before my vet put her on Comfortis she was just getting eaten alive by fleas. My neighborhood has tons of outside dogs and the area is pretty warm and humid, so I imagine it's a perfect place for fleas to thrive. __________________ Cookie ;;; RIP Minnie

11-23-2013, 02:07 PM	#9
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog I would stay away from triflexis. Too many sick dogs and reactions with it. I used revolution and liked it. Be real careful with sprays. My Yorkies would probably lick that and ingest it. I let flea bombs off one year and had four poodles at the er vet very sick. Yorkies are very sensitive so just watch and research what you use. Listen to what others have experienced also. Had a friend used comfortis and it worked. I haven't heard problems with that.

11-30-2013, 06:21 AM	#12
RammaJ Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Silver Springs Florida Posts: 44	I use comfortis once a month my yorkie is 5lbs, key thing is make sure they have eaten a meal before giving it and they should be fine. I stop giving it during the winter months, but summers in florida the fleas will carry him away. they need to be on something down here. __________________

11-30-2013, 09:27 AM	#14
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog Do Not use triflexis. Too risky and all you need to do is go on the web and read all the side effects and deaths in dogs. I would not use that, even tho my vet said to use it. Forget it, I always do my homework before I give meds. Yorkies are sensitive and you can cause a lot of problems with certain drugs.

11-23-2013, 06:20 AM	#2
Tphelps Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana Posts: 226	I know Trifexis has a lot of bad publicity especially on this site but I use it for fleas and heart worm. Piper is 6 plus and Jilly is 5 pounds. We give half of the pill with food on the first day of the month and half of the pill with food on the second day. No problems and no fleas. I don't think dogs under 5 pounds should take it. This has been my personal experience.

11-23-2013, 08:10 AM	#3
theporkieyorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: dearborn heights Posts: 1,148	I had fleas this year. Revolution has worked best for me...but when I got fleas, my boys were on sentinal...so here is what I did. To treat the dogs.... I went and bought Frontline to use along with the Sentinal. I also went and bought natural flea shampoo from Petco. I washed my dogs with the shampoo, letting it sit on them as long as the directions said. I then put the frontline on. Since both Sentinal and Frontline are once a month, I staggered them. I used Sentinal on the 1st and Frontline on the 15th...so I didn't overdo it and just in case they lost their strength towards the end. I also repeated the natural flea bath in 4 days to a week if they were still itching. To treat the environment.... I got this product called Knockout. It's by Virbac. I bought it at the vets office and I LOVE it. I am typically not fond of spraying any chemical sprays in my house, but this stuff works. I sprayed it on their bedding, my bedding, the sofa, carpeting etc etc. It is supposed to have, I believe, a 6 month residual so it keeps on working. This works better than any other house treatment I've tried. I've also treated the yard with 7 dut because my dogs were bringing fleas in from outside. If you live in an apartment, your dogs may be bringing them in from outside...or even the hallways.

11-23-2013, 09:00 AM	#4
Christinee Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bellflower, Ca, USA Posts: 2,437	I have been using triflexis for a while now and never ever see a flea on Charlie. The last time i gave it to him he got really itchy for a day, which i guess is a side effect. I didn't like that at all. I have a new vet and will ask his opinion the next time he is due for a treatment. I'm hoping I can avoid giving any treatment by keeping the fleas out of the house, but with walks and everything it's bound to happen eventually. So yes, triflexis works but I am still on the fence about it. Ask your vet.

11-23-2013, 11:02 AM	#8
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	Make sure that you don't bathe your dog for at least 3 days after the Advantage has been put on and always wait at least 3 days after the bath to apply the product. It is really important not to put it on right after the bath. It makes a big difference on how well it works. It is actually about worthless if you put it on after a bath. The vacuum is one of your best weapons with fleas. Make sure you do under the cushions of your furniture as well as along the edges of the room and under the furniture. Clean the bedding of course. Those fleas can lay thousands of eggs and no flea product can keep up with a large amount of fleas hatching and jumping on your pet. There is an all natural product called Diatomaceous Earth that you can sprinkle in and around your home that will help kill any stragglers. You can put it on your dog, too. It is perfectly harmless just make sure you get the food grade and not the stuff they use for pools. Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade Benefits:Gallon Jars to 50 pound bags If you get a flea comb it is good to use it after you have brought your dog in from a walk. Just a quick going over can pick up any critters that may have hitched a ride.

11-23-2013, 04:58 PM	#10
ColesMommy01 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: where there's no good sushi Posts: 1,423 Blog Entries: 1	If you want to take a more "natural" approach I've used apple cider vinegar for fleas/ticks on both my dogs for the last 4 months and haven't had any issues. I previously gave triflexis until my bulldog had a bad reaction. I was not going to take that chance with my 2# yorkie. So far 4 months with no fleas/ticks. I hope you find something that works for you

11-28-2013, 06:17 AM	#11
mjleggett YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glen Allen, VA USA Posts: 9	PLEASE do not use the Trifexis. Sure, it works very well, no fleas at all in my house. But, the poison killed my 4# Yorkie. At the advice of my vet, I was giving her 1/2 a tab, once a month. She was a perfectly healthy little girl for 11 years. Suddenly, she developed kidney damage and we had to put her down. I had her on a kidney cleanse diet for her entire life. In my heart of hearts, I KNOW it was the Trifexis. Do the research...it's certainly out there. I adopted a new little girl last week and took her to the vet for a check up. She's 1-1/2. First thing they insisted on starting was Trifexis...I walked out. The vets in this country are getting a pretty penny for selling this poison. Some are coming around (again, do the research and you will see). Sticking with Heartguard and Frontline.

11-30-2013, 09:48 AM	#15
Christinee Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bellflower, Ca, USA Posts: 2,437	The problem with me is nothing works as good as the pills. Frontline just flat out doesn't work. I believe revolution did before, Maybe it would be a good idea to look into that again. I'd hate to be giving him some pill that in the long run is destroying his insides somehow and it shows up later in life. That is scary stuff!