Yarg!!!! Fleas!!!!

[TicklishLurker]

Do fleas serve any sort of useful purpose in this universe?

If they do I'd really like to know.

Despite spraying our yard, despite doing all sorts of treatments in my bedroom, despite not taking her on walks so she won't be exposed to untreated yards, this morning Audrey woke me up with vicious, bed-shaking scratching.

I check her, sure enough, two fleas I can see - I give her a bath with rubbing alcohol mixed in the water - at least ten dead fleas - a mix of the tiny black sand fleas and the larger brown dog fleas - floating in the tub.

I give her garlic pills. I've treated her with topical flea killers. She's got a flea collar on. The prescription pills and the neck oils make her exzema(sp?) a lot worse plus make her ill tummy-wise.

I'm at my wit's end. I guess it's time to bug bomb the entire house plus spray the yard again. But geez, someone offer me something - advice, sympathy - a flea comb....

 

[Dussicar]

No animal I've ever owned has ever had fleas. And after reading your recounting, I hope to GOD I never have to deal with such a problem.

Your best bet is to relate this story to a vet. Hopefully, they can give you some advice. You might also want to consult BUGMAN(the member, here on this forum)about what to do about the infestation.

 

[4Pawz]

ah, fleas, I hate em! But I suppose they are some kind of food for something lol. Anyway, I think I can offer some help, at least suggestions.

1 - what kind of flea treatments are you using? flea collars suck, don't waste your money on that. The vet I used to work for, the humane society I used to work for, and I all recommend Frontline for flea treatment. Be careful in what you wash your dog in, anything other than dog shampoos and conditioners can cause dry skin and more itching.

2 - make sure you are doing these treatments all at once. If you apply the Frontline, wait 48 hours, and then do a massive overhaul all at once. You will need to give her one more bath after the 48 hrs, wash all laundry, including any bedding, if she has a doggie bed or anything of hers that is cloth make sure it gets washed in hot water, bug bomb the house, spray the yards, etc. Once the bombing is over, vacumn everything, including the furniture, make sure you throw all vacumn bags out immediately after you finish vacumning.

You may have to be pretty diligent for a couple months, but the fleas should subside. Don't give up! you can do this! If you live in a "freezing climate" the bugs will not go away, but it is always good to spray again while it is cold and they are less active outside. Be careful where your dog goes (I know you said you have been doing this) and make sure all walks are on cement or asphalt.

If your friends have any flea problems, don't invite them over lol. Humans can be carriers too, and it could get to the point of getting into human hair.

Good Luck!! You can beatem!

 

[TicklishLurker]

1 - what kind of flea treatments are you using? flea collars suck, don't waste your money on that. The vet I used to work for, the humane society I used to work for, and I all recommend Frontline for flea treatment. Be careful in what you wash your dog in, anything other than dog shampoos and conditioners can cause dry skin and more itching.

Frontline is one of those type of treatments that make her exzema much worse. I've been using the Hartz 3-in-1 - kills fleas, ticks (though we don't have ticks where we live), and their eggs. Has worked in the past. Just a simple spray, but it doesn't make her sick like the other treatments.

I live in Southern California - we have fleas all year round - and you don't even need to have a pet to get them inside. Ug.

I did the carpet powder that kills fleas & eggs while deorderizing the rug, plus the Hartz's carpet/furniture spray for those areas I couldn't put down the powder. Put it on before I left for work so it was there for several hours and is suppose to work in a half hour. Vaccumed really well - even took off my matress and box spring to vaccum and spray under the bed. Still have sore muscles from it. Washed everything. She went about three days with no fleas. Had a bath yesterday - no fleas - but mom couldn't put the spray on her - so this morning - fleas. She likes to lay out in the dirt because she's got artritis. I suppose it eases the aches and pains, but that's where she picks up the fleas. And I can't watch her 24/7.

 

[Goodieluver]

Theres only one thing you can do, learn the flea language, earn their trust and mate with their women, then in time, maybe we can forget our differences

 

[Bugman]

Frontline is one of those type of treatments that make her exzema much worse. I've been using the Hartz 3-in-1 - kills fleas, ticks (though we don't have ticks where we live), and their eggs. Has worked in the past. Just a simple spray, but it doesn't make her sick like the other treatments.

I live in Southern California - we have fleas all year round - and you don't even need to have a pet to get them inside. Ug.

I did the carpet powder that kills fleas & eggs while deorderizing the rug, plus the Hartz's carpet/furniture spray for those areas I couldn't put down the powder. Put it on before I left for work so it was there for several hours and is suppose to work in a half hour. Vaccumed really well - even took off my matress and box spring to vaccum and spray under the bed. Still have sore muscles from it. Washed everything. She went about three days with no fleas. Had a bath yesterday - no fleas - but mom couldn't put the spray
on her - so this morning - fleas. She likes to lay out in the dirt because she's got artritis. I suppose it eases the aches and pains, but that's where she picks up the fleas. And I can't watch her 24/7.

Here's what i suggest if you want to try it again.Vaccum before you apply the powder.Check the label to make sure it contains an IGR (insect growth regulator).Then you need to vaccum every day for 5-6 days.After every time take the bag out,seal it in a plastic bag and get it out of the house.If it's a cannister vac empty it into a bag and get it out also.Be sure to rinse the cannister out and dry it.Treat under all couch and seat cushions that you can remove.For the outside you will want to use granulars because of your dogs skin problems.Bayer makes one although i can't remember the name right off hand.If that does not solve the problem you might want to call a pro.Hope this helps.

 

[german]

Theres only one thing you can do, learn the flea language, earn their trust and mate with their women, then in time, maybe we can forget our differences

lol thats soo funny.

Seriously I hate fleas, only once my dog got them and it was the worse. The vet recommended Frontline and that worked great. Its a shame your dog cant handle it, but I'm sure the Hartz will work again. Best of luck.

Kust

 

[TicklishLurker]

Theres only one thing you can do, learn the flea language, earn their trust and mate with their women, then in time, maybe we can forget our differences

So you're suggesting lesbian interpecies insect-human porn?

Are you writer/director Kevin Smith in disguise? If so, does Jen know what you're up to?

 

[Goodieluver]

So you're suggesting lesbian interpecies insect-human porn?

Are you writer/director Kevin Smith in disguise? If so, does Jen know what you're up to?

Heh, it was an idea for all, naturally the ladies would go for the male flea overlords