dog fleas

[wrenchman]

my lab is infested i have washed and powdered her she is driveing me nuts with her itching i get rid of them and she gets them back
so i have to ask is there a more perminint way to rid them frome her
I have had dogs my hole life never had a dog get them like this

[VinVega]

I know for a fact that Advantage works on dogs, even if they're heavilly infested. My dog got them REAL bad once, never had a dog with 'em that bad. His hair is really thick, and so shampoos and such didn't have much effect. The Vet gave us this thing, I think it was called CapStar, that killed the fleas on the dog, and the Advantage kept them off after that. Give it a try, it's well worth the money.

[fabsroman]

There are several products available out there that will keep the fleas and ticks off. Essentially, you put the liquid on the dog's skin and it works for a month. I have used one form or another of the stuff and it works rather well. Some of the brand names are Advantage, Advantix, Frontline, and Bio Spot are some of them. I have used Frontline and Bio Spot and they both seemed to work really well. Right now I am using Bio Spot because it is a little cheaper than the others and it seems to be just fine. Others on the board have had problems with Bio Spot, so you might want to wait and see what the rest of the gang posts about it.

[wrenchman]

thanks i will check them out

[Dale]

Frontline works well for us. Put it on the skin, don't bathe for 3 days (the dog that is ;)) and she is good to go for a month.

[TreeDoc]

Frontline Plus gets my vote and Jacks!

It is the only one that I know of that functions with dogs that are in the water a lot like a Duck Huntin' Fool Labrador.

Don't bathe your dog any sooner than a week before applying it or for a few days after applying, at least not for a week beforehand. It strips the oils in their skin that the product needs to distribute itself properly. I did that once when Jack had a major outbreak and even Frontline had no effect on the flea population. My Vet gave me the skinny on why.

Good luck with it!

[gspsonny03]

I normally use Frontline Plus when I can find it. It seems to work really good for me. I think that all of them work well with fleas. I haven't heard of any that didn't. Some of them claim to work on skeeters and don't, but fleas and ticks are a different story.

[FIJI]

but only kill the fleas that have already bitten your dog. Does nothing to those who are ABOUT to bite your dog.

Now imagine this:

Think of EVERY place your dog has been (yes, EVERY single place including the yard, car, etc)

Imagine Thousands of tiny lil bb's that are sticky as epoxy -so small you cant see them.

EVERY place your dog has been those fleas have dropped those thousands of sticky lil eggs.

EVERY time YOU walk where your dog has been you transport those eggs on your shoes to places where your dog hasnt even been !

The only way to get rid of fleas completely is to tackle ALL the areas AT THE SAME TIME (most ppl forget to do the car) with Premise spray/ contact spray/ Capstar etc. Dont bother with anything that you can get without going through your vet. Over the counter stuff is as waste of money -just not strong enough. (we've kept fleas alive in jars for many days with that stuff....they hardly seem to notice the stuff )

Now ...you have no fleas (until the next time someone transports new eggs/fleas into the area after the residual effects of the premise sprays wear off)

Let the battle begin !

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I was under the impression that products like Frontline, etal contained IGIs (insect growth inhibiters). In other words, the flea bites the dog, lays eggs, they hatch into pupae (or whatever), but their growth only goes so far......it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to kill the eggs, and it only takes a couple to get the whole process going again. We got the fleas from a "rescue" dog that we tried to save.
We only had one experience with fleas.....and I don't want another! We ended up having to bomb the whole house and dip the dogs. I now give the dog a bath with flea shampoo after hunting and after a trip to the vets (we've picked up some from the waiting room there as well)

[FIJI]

growth inhibitors are very effective. But, the fleas need to bite the dog (or in some cases need extended contact) to be "dispatched". Not much of a help if your dog gets flea bite dermatitis.

For my own dog with allergies this is not an option. I used to use Dursban (when it was available) dip. Now its pyrethrin based dips.

Siphotrol premise spray by Vet-Kem (with Precor IGI) and Vedco Spot & Fog for the house/car etc work for me.

Not a cheap way to go but since I train dogs (incidentally, just down the road from you at a place with 300 dogs !) plus run my own Obedience business my dogs are "at risk".

It's been many years since I've had a flea "problem" using the above system.

[Hi Ball]

FiJi.......Your 100% correct in addressing the Flea problem with dogs! It is NOT as easy as shampooing your dog or spraying his dog house. ALL AREAS must be addressed and treated, including your home, car etc. Keeping other dogs away is also a big concern, as they will transport the new arrivals to begin the process cycle all over again.

["yote"]

and if these don't work, then it's time for a NUCLEAR DETONATION! LOL!! I have had good luck with the Frontline and
others like it. Then spray the yard and everything you own with a good perethryn spray. Then shoot the mangy flea-bag next door. The one that started this whole mess!

[Lilred]

I put diazenene (er however you spell it) and sevin dust in the bottom of the dog boxes and on the ground in the dog lots. Helps to at leat keep em out of the beddin.

[Hi Ball]

LilRed..........You got to be very careful about Diazion being put on your lawn and in the dog pens. " I't (sorry about that error) will kill your dogs or kids from the inside out!!!

It kills just about anything that comes into contact with it sooner or later savy. It is great for fireants, spiders, fleas, all bugs in general, especially grubs in the lawn.

[Lilred]

. I will kill your dogs or kids from the inside out!!!

Well partner, you best grow a couple of feet and a whole lotta brave for you try somethin long them lines ;)
LOL (it's ok..I know it was a typo)

Yer right tho..you have to be extremely careful. What I do is till up the ground 3 times a year, treat it, settle the dirt back in, treat it again and throw LOTS of cedar shavings down. Seems like alot of work..but it keeps out the troublemakers..like worms, fleas and such. The dogs are out of the lots for a few days while this is being done.

[wrenchman]

I ended up useing frontline and bombing the house.
my mothers dog lost its hair last time she used it.

[Hi Ball]

Sorry about that screw up.....Lilred......Dummy Me

That's what can happen to a man early without NO COFFEE in his blood stream.:eek:

[huntingvet]

Just some clarification for all of you.

Advantage, Advantix, Frontline, and Frontline Plus are probably the best products you can use for your dogs on a routine basis. Contrary to what was said earlier, these products will kill fleas before they bite. Granted, no product is 100% effective, but these products are the closest you will get. Other "decent" products include Revoluation (prescription only, but helpful with skin and ear mites and as a heartworm preventive) and over the counter products like Biospot, Zodiac Spot On. The over the counter products although much cheaper as much less effective.

If you're worried about the "expensive products" being less than 100% effective, consider either Advantix or Frontline Plus. Advantix combines 2 ingredients: imidacloprid and a permethrin. Since the likelihood of double resistence being in 1 flea is low this product may be helpful. Frontline Plus combines fiprinol (kills adult fleas and immature fleas) and methoprene which "sterilizes" a flea that is resistant to fiprinol and bites your dog. In theory this "resistant" flea does not produce more "resistant" fleas.

For severe problems, others are right; you need to treat dog, house, yard, etc to get immediate results.

Hope this helps.