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Old 07-16-2014, 02:36 AM   #1
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Default Frustrated! Flea Meds NOT working.?

I had been giving Guinness some flea baths while doing some research as to which flea/tick medication I was going to use on him when we noticed him itching and saw a couple of fleas on him. I decided to go with Vectra 3D, which our vet carries. I put about half of the tube on him as he is 4 pounds and I've read that this is commonly done and I was concerned about an adverse reaction possibly. When after about a week I didn't see any difference I used the remainder of the tube. Still nothing 2 weeks later he seems to be itching more and I'm bathing him twice a week (although I waited after applying meds so not to wash them off). I went back to the vet yesterday to tell them the Vectra 3D did not work and that I need something else for him that will. He recommended the Parastar Plus. So I purchased it and applied...though again I was worried as this tube states up to 22 LBS! He is only 4 lbs. the tube has less in it so it is harder to try to split, anyway all of it got applied. Well no reaction at all thank god but he doesn't seem like we have put anything on him and is still digging! I got online and read reviews...awful! The majority of them state that it does nothing at all, worthless. Now I don't know what to do...2 medications and $40 later my poor baby is still digging.


What should I do at this point? I'm going to call the vet today...I'm so frustrated.
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Old 07-16-2014, 03:48 AM   #2
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I have heard Dawn will get rid of fleas if you bathe your pup with it. Also are you treating your house as well? I have always had good luck with K9 Advantix. But, as you said, I would contact your vet first. Let us know what he says. Good luck!
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Old 07-16-2014, 06:03 AM   #3
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Are you sure your home does not still have fleas? You need to vacuum like a crazy to get rid of any fleas inside your home. What about a HW/flea preventive instead of topical? Do you use a HW prevention? Some also will cover fleas but only their eggs not the actual adult flea but you need to stop the fleas from forming.

Dog Heartworm Preventive Products Comparison Chart
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Old 07-16-2014, 06:45 AM   #4
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UGH. I wouldn't put any more treatments on him because of toxic affects. Treat house and yard? At 4 pounds I would give him a bath and pick off one wet flea at a time. Poor baby! I know it's awful. My son lives where there are Ninja fleas, impossible to get rid of though Comfortis has helped.
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Old 07-16-2014, 06:46 AM   #5
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I'm sorry your having to deal with this problem it can be frustrating.....If there are fleas on the pup then there's fleas in the home, particularly where the pup lays. The most effective and the safest way to get rid of fleas in the home is constant vacuuming. You have to get all the baseboards and in cracks and crevices. This may take weeks of doing this so keep your vacuum idling.

I've never used the products you've mentioned but if it's anything like Frontline it can't be applied right after bathing the pup. The skin is to have the oils for the product to work properly. Having said that You have to be careful how many of these products your applying. Even though they don't seem to be working the pup was still exposed to the chemicals. This can be a problem if too many are applied in a short amount of time.

Some of these products are losing their effectiveness. People in my area have no luck with Frontline. It's possible we may be creating super fleas like we did with the over use of antibiotics. I hope you find something to get this under control...good luck.
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Old 07-16-2014, 08:38 AM   #6
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Thank you for the replies. I am concerned about them in my home and have been vacuuming like a madwoman daily! I am surprised how quickly it seems he has gotten them...he wasn't even itching and then all of the sudden I noticed he was and did the Vectra right away but within the few weeks that should have been working we kept seeing them and picking off and bathing... We did wait almost 4 weeks before putting the Parastar on him to avoid too many toxins. I hate putting anything on him but clearly I need to have something after this.


I did call the vet and the receptionist said if his skin is irritated from bites before he will itch until it isn't irritated. She thinks the Parastar should work...I will go home from work today and check him for any fleas. I will not put anything more on him if this doesn't work, at least not for a month then I'm thinking Advantix II. I am considering "flea fogging" my house in case...thoughts on this?


I give him heartgard for the heartworm protection which is what was used when I got him but there was not a flea medication they had recorded using with him (he was a rescue). I really just want to see him get some relief and prevent an infestation at home! UGH.
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Old 07-16-2014, 08:50 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bellajayne View Post
Thank you for the replies. I am concerned about them in my home and have been vacuuming like a madwoman daily! I am surprised how quickly it seems he has gotten them...he wasn't even itching and then all of the sudden I noticed he was and did the Vectra right away but within the few weeks that should have been working we kept seeing them and picking off and bathing... We did wait almost 4 weeks before putting the Parastar on him to avoid too many toxins. I hate putting anything on him but clearly I need to have something after this.


I did call the vet and the receptionist said if his skin is irritated from bites before he will itch until it isn't irritated. She thinks the Parastar should work...I will go home from work today and check him for any fleas. I will not put anything more on him if this doesn't work, at least not for a month then I'm thinking Advantix II. I am considering "flea fogging" my house in case...thoughts on this?


I give him heartgard for the heartworm protection which is what was used when I got him but there was not a flea medication they had recorded using with him (he was a rescue). I really just want to see him get some relief and prevent an infestation at home! UGH.
I know people do "fog" their homes but for me I wounder never do this. I just can't .....That is a pesticide, so everything in your home will be coated in it. From your furniture, your kitchen , your curtains, your clothes, ev-ery-thing. Most of the stuff that's coated with the toxins wasn't even exposed to fleas. Personally I would stick with the constant vacuuming, very effective, yet no toxins.
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Old 07-16-2014, 09:58 AM   #8
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I agree, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Every nook and cranny, under and over furniture, in the car or wherever your dog goes. Every day. Wash everything as often as possible, especially bedding.

If you are already infested, you may have to keep this up for weeks to get all of the eggs and new fleas hatching.
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:14 AM   #9
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google natural remedies for fleas so you have something to fight with while you wait to use Advantix. I found a good shampoo is earthbath eucalyptus peppermint. It has a soothing affect plus "they say" fleas don't like the ingredients. Won't hurt to try, makes the dog smell yummy.
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Old 07-16-2014, 01:28 PM   #10
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With Minnie K9 Avantix and Frontline did nothing, and only Comfortis worked. Unfortunately I don't think your pup is big enough for Comfortis, so that's out. The problem with fleas isn't just the scratching though. My Cookie Monster ended up getting a tapeworm from biting at her fleas when I just wanted to kill them with a flea comb daily (it obviously wasn't enough, and she gets Comfortis which works great, but she is almost 8 lbs).
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Old 07-16-2014, 05:06 PM   #11
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Well I came home and went crazy! Checked the dog and didn't see a flea on him, yay! Proceeded to wash all bedding, couch pillows, blankets...vacuumed furniture and every inch of my home, dumped the vacuum canister in a bag and put a cat flea collar in that. Lets hope this helps!

I decided against the fogging, I will just continue to be diligent! Guinness seems to be itching less so I think his skin is irritated but hopefully there is actual relief from fleas.

Thanks for advise, more is welcome and I will keep you posted.
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Old 07-16-2014, 07:47 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Well I came home and went crazy! Checked the dog and didn't see a flea on him, yay! Proceeded to wash all bedding, couch pillows, blankets...vacuumed furniture and every inch of my home, dumped the vacuum canister in a bag and put a cat flea collar in that. Lets hope this helps!

I decided against the fogging, I will just continue to be diligent! Guinness seems to be itching less so I think his skin is irritated but hopefully there is actual relief from fleas.

Thanks for advise, more is welcome and I will keep you posted.
Good work! Keep vacuuming and washing. I'm glad you decided against the fogging. Great idea about the flea collar in the vacuum.

I have a vet prescribed spray for Teddy because he reacts severely to flea and other bug bites. Might want to ask your vet for something, although the spray I have isn't for all over body use. Only when there are a couple of bites.

I hope Guinness and you get some relief from these little boogers.
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Old 07-18-2014, 06:12 AM   #13
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I certainly understand your concern about possible adverse reactions. Sometimes you just have to weigh the two problems and do what you think is best. It is important to follow the manufacturers recommendations as far as the use of the product. Not using enough product is going to cause an ineffective result.

It seems strange to have a medication for a small dog that treats up to 22lbs. I use Advantage II on Gracie during the summer months and it is for puppies over 8 weeks of age and up to 10lbs. She is an even 5lbs right now but we used it on her when she was a little less than 4lbs when she was younger. Maybe use a good product that has a weight range closer to your dog's weight.

As someone mentioned it is really important to vacuum your carpeting and furniture really well during flea season since they love to lay eggs in and under such things. They do the same with hardwood floors especially around the edges. One flea can lay thousands of eggs. Make sure you dump the contents of your vacuum and take the bag outside right away. If you have a vacuum that you just dump the contents it is a good idea to leave a moth ball or part of a good flea collar inside it to kill any eggs that may be left behind.

We had fleas show up much sooner than usual this year. I guess some seasons are worse than others. It also helps to run a flea comb through your pet's hair after being outside as it helps to prevent them from carrying anymore unwelcome visitors inside. Some people treat their yards as they can become infested in certain areas of the country.
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Old 07-21-2014, 10:35 AM   #14
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Get some food grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it around your home on the dogs bed your furniture. It works by drying out the exoskeleton of the fleas and larvae. Leave it for a few days vacuum and repeat if needed. Where do you commonly walk your dog?
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Old 07-22-2014, 04:13 AM   #15
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He is contained to walk in our back yard. We live in a very rural area.


I am still battling, just when I think they are gone I find another flea! UGH. Vaccuum, wash, vacuum, wash. At least I am keeping it controlled but I would prefer eliminated!
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