Fleas :(
 

Hi... this may seem like a silly question, but my 5-year-old Yorkie has fleas for the first time. She's had them for about a week.

We tried the flea collar, but my vet told me that wasn't very good and told me to give her the Capstar pill plus use Advantage. I've done both but the poor thing is still biting and scratching herself constantly. From what I've read about Capstar and Advantage, they're supposed to work immediately.

Has anyone every used either of these and have they been successful? Anything thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I feel so badly for her.

Thanks a lot.

Laura

I have heard to bathe them with Dawn dish soap

Have you made sure the fleas are not in your house or your yard. You need to make sure she's not still around the areas that actually are infected with the fleas. Your house, yard and furbaby needs to be treated.

if she's had fleas for a week then they are probably all over your house by now...in beds, on furniture, in the carpet. you need to do a lot of cleaning and washing, maybe even bomb the house.

I have fleas in my yard before. Every time my dog went out she would come back in with fleas. I had to have the house professionally sprayed and cleaned very well.

bomb the house and treat the yard. you are probably infested.

we had fleas once and they were coming from rabbits hanging out in my yard.

i gave my dog a flea bath and popped him in the car with the AC on while i set up the bombs. we went out for the day and haven't seen fleas since.

Also keep in mind that her bites will still be itchy even when the fleas are gone. I think the itchiness can take about a week to dissipate, longer if she has a flea allergy, which hopefully she does not.

Hi, sorry about your flea problem. Let me tell you my experience and a definite solution. I have an 2 year old Maltese, Cody. He got fleas. I bombed my house, sprayed my yard, got Cody shaved, flea dipped then I frontlined. him. 2 days later, I saw fleas on him again! This happened about 3 times to me and for some reason, I couldn't get rid of the fleas no matter how many times I bombed, sprayed, flea dipped, gave him a Capstar, etc. So I decided to do a in depth search on fleas. What finally worked (which was my last straw before I called a professional) I got this shampoo called Zodiac from the pet store. All flea shampoo guarantees which we all know isn't true. Zodiac is the first flea shampoo that I have found that does kill fleas instantly. Then get a spray for your yard and house, including bedding, couchesm etc. It must contain an insect regulator. Insect regulator works as a birth control for fleas. Spray everything and make sure you vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! And vacuum everything including vouches, etc. And wash all your puppies bedding and toys. I have been beating my head asking and begging vets, pet stores etc for anyone to help me find a solution to the flea problem. I did all this a few months back and we have been flea free since and both my little ones potty outside.

I am very familiar with Capstar. Capstar will kill all fleas with in 30 minutes and is only last for 24 hours. And they are safe enough to give evryday though you really don't want to because it is better to solve the flea problem. I have given plenty on Capstar to my maltese and Cat befoe I finally solved the flea issue.

Good luck, I know how frustrating fleas get and also how hard the fight against them can be.

Thank you
 

Hi all,

I just wanted to thank you all for your replies. You've given me a lot of good suggestions and I will try them. Right now, I haven't seen any live fleas on her or in the house in a few days, even though she's still scratching and biting herself. The vet told me to try children's Benedryl, so I might do that, to give her some relief.

Thank you again for taking the time to write. I appreciate it.

Laura

P.S. Your little ones are adorable. (I love looking at the pics. :-)

I wouldn't recommend bathing your dog in Dawn dish soap if you have already applied the Advantage. Doing this will strip the med from your dog's coat and therefore not work. Perhaps your dog has flea dermatitis, a rash as a result of the fleas. Ask the vet what solution to use during the bath so that the Advantage won't "wash away". You should also wait 2-3 days after applying the medication before bathing as well.

:thumbup:

I also wanted to add that you need to vaccum every single day, if possible. It will help with picking up fleas/flea eggs. Make sure you get all cracks, crevices, under furniture, beds etc. Its a pain in the butt, but it will help alot to keep the fleas under control some. If I see even one flea on my dogs I vaccum not stop several times a day for a few days at a time. I have yet (thank god) had a investastion and I have 4 dogs, 3 cats (inside only) and a rabbit. :)

We are having flea issues right now too...my recommendation is to vacuum everyday...I know i know...blah vacuuming...but it really does help! and bathe your baby in dawn dish soap...just be sure not to get it in the eyes cause it could burn a lil. Sud your baby up really good and let it sit for a few minutes to really kill all the fleas!

Goodluck! Fleas are awful!

Where I too recommend vacuuming everyday as well. I used to hear Dawn soap as well. Seriously, I have fought the flea issue so bad I had tried everything and have went to several vets, etc.

Fleas go through 4 statges, the larva stage, another stage then the wrap themselves in a cacoon. And once in a cxacoon, NO INSECT SPRAY, VACUUM, etc will kill them. You need to get a pray with "Insect growth regulator" in it. Spray your entire house, yard, couches, beds, etc. Then also spray your entire yeard. Bath your pet in a shampoo called Zodiac. Insect growth regulator serves as a birth control for fleas. I promise this does work and you will NOT have anymore flea problems. I have fought this extremely hard for 2 years and finally I had to do a lot of research. I couldn't take it anymore. But this seriously does work and I haven't had any fleas for the past three months since.

diatomaceous earth is AMAZING for this!! MUST MUST MUST be food grade! It should be sprinkled everywhere (on bedding, carpet, couches, anywhere and everywhere your pet goes) and left there! It will be "dusty" and can be vacuumed up after a period of time. But it works AMAZING!!! Or if you prefer less dust and don't mind pesticides. FLEA BOMB! You must leave your house (along with all other living creatures you still want in your life) for a extended period of time. But it works! Dawn soap bath has the same concept as using your regular doggie shampoo. What the purpose is, to "drown/suffocate" your pesty friends. Use an excessive amount of shampoo ALL OVER your pet and leave on for 3-5 mins. Rinse and flea comb out your pet (easier to do while you use conditioner).

Hope this helps!