Fleas!

[kenbro]

Hi,
We have 3 terriers and all have had fleas for a couple of months.
We Flea shampoo them regular, occasionally squirt some kinda flea killer on the skin at back of neck and Wifey and Granddaughter combing daily with nit combs and electronic zapper comb.
Still finding odd fleas on each dog daily.
Is there a “Best” flea killer that won’t also kill the dogs?
How do you manage infested dogs?

One of the older (13.5 years) dogs also has a back / skin? Problem.
He leaps off the furniture yelping in pain for no apparent reason, he asked lays on his back and wiggles about a lot.
Been to Vet. several times and Vet thinks it’s possibly nerve pain from his spine.
He‘a on Gabapentin 4 times daily and that seen to be helping some.
Anyone had similar behaviour in a little dog.
Most upsetting when he’s howling and we can’t do anything to help.
Ken.

 

[VSS]

The fleas will be living in your furniture and carpets. Particularly if you have fitted carpets and central heating. Everytime you treat the dogs they'll just get reinfested. A good argument for housing animals outdoors!

 

[shakey jake]

fleas are super easy to control with any treatment that doesnt contain fipronil. thankfully its getting with drawn next year. speak to your vet get a product that has an active that isnt fipronil,normally a few options get another one in a couple of months and alternate each month to break any chance of resistance. any flea larvae in the carpets will hatch and die from feeding before they can reproduce.
i never treat houses if they have pets. hoover the house, and let pets in every room to mop up the fleas

 

[kenbro]

Thanks for replies.

VSS;
If I mentioned your suggestion (Outdoors) to Wifey it would be me camping out!
Cheers,Ken.

 

[Stevie/P]

Capstar tablets give one every other day for a week.
Wash bedding will treat carpet soft furnishing with zero home flea powder
Good luck and keep at it till clear

 

[Free range rob]

What’s wrong with going get and using bravecto ?

Yeah I know one or two don’t like it, but I’ve moved my 3 over with no issues and quite frankly wish I had done it years ago, not had a tick or flea since, and considering they are all over the rabbit warrens, down holes, etc etc, it was a constant battle.

Frontline is useless

 

[rarms]

Used bravecto on my springer, and now on my ridgeback. Not had any issues with it

 

[Free range rob]

Used bravecto on my springer, and now on my ridgeback. Not had any issues with it

I’m aware of a couple of folk having issues with fits (I think that’s what happened)

But in fairness, that’s less people than I can count on one hand, how many are using it with no problems ?

 

[potshotpat]

Used bravecto on my springer, and now on my ridgeback. Not had any issues with it

My missus says, that sounds fun.

 

[hcm1]

I agree with those who have mentioned Bravecto, or if you are concerned re fits, consider one of the other Isoxazoline products (Simparica, Nexgard to name 2) these products are extremely effective, have reduced environmental effects and appear very safe with minimal side effects. In the case of Bravecto it has persistent flea killing activity for 12 weeks so will break the lifecycle and "mop up" fleas within the house. If using the others make sure you retreat at the correct intervals for 3 full months and likewise you will break the cycle and wont need to treat the house. You certainly can treat the house to hasten the resolution of the signs but don't NEED to.

As regards the risk associated with Bravecto as regards fits, I have dispensed hundreds (if not thousands) of doses and have not personally seen any seizure side effects, the worst I have seen is the occasional vomiting and diarrhoea. When researching side effects do keep in mind that people are always more likely to talk about the occasions that side effects are seen vs when they are not and this tends to create the impression that side effects are more common than they may be in reality.

As regards the old terrier, I assume he has had his anal glands checked? They may well not be the issue but I have seen a number of cases where the anal glands were causing significant discomfort and quite profound signs. If these are empty then you may ultimately need to consider some advanced imaging of the lower spine to check for any changes which may be impinging on nerve roots.

 

[kenbro]

Many thanks to all for replies.
Thanking you, Ken.

 

[User00044]

You may have to flea bomb the house . Thanks to my wifes cat , who became infested in them shortly after a spot on treatment , I had to do ours . The little beggars took some getting rid of , spraying and combing the bloody cat for weeks .
I did suggest a one way ticket to the farm . It was met with sizeable resistance !

 

[shakey jake]

You may have to flea bomb the house . Thanks to my wifes cat , who became infested in them shortly after a spot on treatment , I had to do ours . The little beggars took some getting rid of , spraying and combing the bloody cat for weeks .
I did suggest a one way ticket to the farm . It was met with sizeable resistance !

flea bombs and frontline are very poor. if the cats treated properly you will get control quickly. my rule of thumb if you can buy at a pet shop its a waste of money

 

[User00044]

flea bombs and frontline are very poor. if the cats treated properly you will get control quickly. my rule of thumb if you can buy at a pet shop its a waste of money

The flea bombs worked a treat , used them in closed rooms and we've got rid . They were a last resort, filling the house with insecticide doesn't fill me with joy. Frontline , not so good , totally agree . Cat and house are flea free now and that's the result I was looking for , had that failed I'd have had to pay a professional .

 

[shakey jake]

The flea bombs worked a treat , used them in closed rooms and we've got rid . They were a last resort, filling the house with insecticide doesn't fill me with joy. Frontline , not so good , totally agree . Cat and house are flea free now and that's the result I was looking for , had that failed I'd have had to pay a professional .

what did/do you treat the cat with now?

 

[User00044]

what did/do you treat the cat with now?

As far as I'm aware , the wife just fitted her with a flea collar , not a big transition for the cat as a collar and bell were the only things I insisted on . I'm sure there's something better , I only get involved if I'm asked . Still, no fleas thank goodness. The bloody things love me !