How do I know if Princess has fleas!?
 

I guess when it rains, it really does pour!

Princess was at the vet a couple times last month & had her food changed. Not long after, right away actually, she seemed to be a little itchy. I thought it was from the meds or maybe the food & it wasn't severe, just regular 'dog scratching' even though she hardly ever scratches under normal circumstances.

Well this week I have noticed her REALLY scratching. By her tail, her entire back, feet, basically any where she can reach. She's been growling when she tries to scratch like she is so frustrated. I called the vet this afternoon to see if she thought it was the i/d but they said she wont get back to me til tomorrow. I dug out my 'Yorkies for Dummies' & it says to check you can put your yorkie over a wet paper towel & scratch her to see if you see any 'flea dirt'. I did that & there is very little dirt or anything on it, but there is some. I don't know if it's regular dirt or what. I don't see any redness or anything but I did comb off a small scab tonight. She hasn't had Frontline since the end of June or so.

Should I go get a flea shampoo & see if it helps? I've tried Oatmeal shampoo in the past & that alone irritates her. She'll possibly going to the vet Friday depending on what the doc says but I'd like to help her in the meantime.

If you think she has fleas I would wash her in regular dawn dish detergent, rubbing the soap in very well- then put frontline on.

Mad & glad that I saw a flea last night. Mad that she has them & I didn't know, I looked & never saw those evil little things. But I'm glad it's that & not the food because I had no idea what I'd switch her to. Vet said Frontline now & I can bathe her with Dawn in two days if I want, but not before with the 2 day rule on Frontline. They said if she gets worse in the next couple days they'll add Capstar.

From my understanding you'll need to do a specialized cleaning of your house and yard to thoroughly get rid of the fleas. Even changing your vacuum bag is important. They lay eggs that hatch and can re-infect your dog. Here’s some more info on cleaning. Fleas in the House - Getting Rid of Fleas in the House

Yes- you need to be very careful to treat the house and yard as well, or it can become a vicious cycle. Interesting that they didn't let you bathe her first, I would want to get all the fleas, eggs, dirt, etc. off first to make my dog more comfortable.

She said the Frontline would/should kill them over the next 24 hours. I'll be laundering my bedding & hers later today as well as vacuuming the couch & floors. I guess I should vacuum the car out, too. I can't treat the yard since I live in a huge complex but the vet said if Princess is on the Frontline from here on out it will eventually kill them off (in our house). Thanks for the link, Nancy, I'm going to read it now to see what I can learn there.

The reason she wasn't on it this time is due to that first stupid vet who said I could just do it every other month. Made me think of how they tell you a vacc. is due sooner than it is so I opted out. Stupid me. She doesn't go inside any where but one house (flea free I believe) & in the yard here. It seriously started right after she was sick so I honestly believe it was from one of the vets offices.

Don't beat yourself up, vets like to be cautious and maybe that is enough for some dogs. My guess is since there are other dogs in your complex, it would be better to take it monthly. I guess most dogs get them outside, and you might even want to look for evidence of tapeworms, they get these from eating a flea. Here's more information on tapeworms, and what to look for, they're pretty easy to get rid of with the right medication, but you should check out Princess' poop for a few weeks. Tapeworms Lol, have fun!

Skin crawling bugs, dissecting poop & now she's vomited! Just once & she's acting fine, I'm waiting for the vet to call back with a plan of action. She just had Frontline in June & has had it many times before so I'd hope it wouldn't cause problems, but with her being sick before maybe things have changed, I don't know.

She has a spot underneath her that's really itchy & is turning red. I thought about putting a onsie on her, but would that be evil since she wont be able to itch well?:confused:

I wonder if she allergic to the flea bites? Do you have any Benadryl spray, it works pretty fast and safe to use on dogs. Stops itching almost immediately I would spray some of that on, and then cover her with a onsie.

I just have the Children's Liquid Benadryl. I can run & get her some after the vet calls. These things have gotten terrible just in the last 48 hours. Nasty things.:thumbdown

I'd ask the vet about giving her some liquid, but the good thing about the spray is you can use it as often as you like. I'm allergic to mosquito bites, and that stuff is amazing!

Thanks. I'm going to grab some now. The vet called & doesn't think the vomiting would be from the Frontline. If it happens again it looks like I'll be taking her in.

I wonder the stress of itching could upset her tummy? This site says that tapeworms could cause vomiting: Cause of Dog Vomiting, Cure Diarrhea in Dogs, Free Vet Advice

Tapeworm


Sometime referred to as tape worms, this parasite looks like an old fashioned tape measure and they are also known as Dipylidium Caninum. Tapeworms can measure anything fro six inches up to twenty feet and they live in the intestines of dogs. As the food is passed through your dog and passes the tapeworm, the tapeworm absorbs the nutrients through its skin.

Tapeworms are caused when your dogs eat fleas or flea larvae, either when they are grooming themselves. Tapeworms can also be a cause of dog vomiting.


Here are some of the symptoms of Tapeworms...

•Vomiting.•Weight loss.
•Itching around the anus.
•Discomfort around the abdomen.
•Anaemia.
•Apathy.
•Your dog may appear nervous.


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Knock on wood, it's only been the one time. I just sprayed her good with the benadryl & she's already relaxing a lot. The vet said it could've possibly been from the intense itching so maybe (hopefully) that's it! OMGsh, I should've NEVER watched Monsters Inside Me!!!:eek::rolleyes:

Oh dear that show is horrible isn't it? When this is all over, you should write a fairytale called, "The Princess and the Flea," I hope Princess lives happily ever after too!