hdjaime

Thanks for all the advice. I went to the petstore but they were out of Permoxin. I ended up getting another spray that is called "Pure and Natural" Its supposed to kill fleas and ticks and you can spray right on the dog. It's probably not as strong as Permoxin but I'll use this bottle up and then try to find the Permoxin. It is so frustrating to get rid of them. We will bomb the house next weekend and hopefully kill the little buggers!!

Thanks so much. Is this something I can get at a pet store? Also, do you know if it's harmful to humans as my 3 yr old is constantly laying around with her.

Ok, I wrote before about my labs allergys. We are on the elimination diet to see if it's food but now I'm starting to think it's fleas. She had a cortisone shot which is now worn off and she was just chewing at herself so I went and had a look and sure enough, I found a flea right away. She is on Advocate at the moment but I'm thinking of switching to the Sentinel Spectrum, simply because of it being a tablet and not losing so much when I put it on. Also, should I spray the outside area and bomb the house? The house is slate floors except for carpet in the bedrooms. She sleeps in an elevated flea bed which I will wash as well. It just seems like it's impossible to get rid of every flea. Why wouldn't the Advocate work? It's driving me crazy. Oh, I did give her a Capstar tablet as well. When will they all die for the season?! Jaime

Anyone know what size I would need for a lab? Could I get away with a small one and just put more work into it or would I need a bigger one? THanks, Jaime

Can I ask where you got it and what you paid for it? I was intrigued so I looked at the website and it does look like it works great. I can never seem to get the undercoat out of our lab. I looked at the websites that were listed on where to buy but they don't list a price. Thanks, Jaime

No, mutts can have just as many problems as PB', and it's a fallacy that they are in general healthier. My vet told me that one of the worst cases of HD he has ever seen was in one of those 'oodles'. My mutt has allergies, food intolerances and is inherently very nervous. Ok, good to know. Thanks. I always wondered if that was a myth or not.

I am going to buy some spray on flea treatment today. She does have one of those flea beds and sleeps on that or the concrete outside. Inside she is usually on the slate. Only the bedrooms have carpet. I think she's probably picking them up from the park. They only seem to mow the playing fields and the rest of the grass is quite long. Maybe they are hopping on from the grass? Who knows. PS: Is it true that "Mutts" usually have less medical problems than purebreds. If so, I might consider this for the next one and get a lab-cross something or other.

The vet did give me the Capstars so I have those. I really hope it's not a flea allergy. Even with the Advocate we've still seen the odd flea. How would it be possible to totally eliminate them? It's a total nightmare. I really hope it's the food. She had her first bowl of the anchovy Eaglepack tonight and wolfed it down. So much for her not liking the flavour. Good thing she's a lab and will eat anything.

Ok, I have switched my order and am getting the Eagle Pack Anchovy brand today. I had to take her to the vet yesterday since her hot spot got really big and festy. I had it shaved but when she shaved it more, it had grown twice the size. So, she gave her a coritsone shot (she is still scratching today), some antibiotics, some special wash, NeoCort, and a tablet that works in conjuction with the flea treatment. She is on Advocate but we did see a flea on her yesterday. It's so frustrating because the vet said unfortunately for me, that she was chewing at her rump which could indicate a flea allergy, she had a rash on her groin which could indicate a contact allergy and she has hotspots which could indicate a food allergy. I really don't have the $500+ right now to do an allergy test. Especially after the $120 vet visit and the $114 food. So, she did suggest the elimination diet so I will start her on the Eagle Pack and nothing else tonight and hopefully that does the trick. If not, I will have to do the skin test. I better start saving now Thanks for your replies, Jaime

Thanks for the replies. I have contacted the breeder and none of the littermates have been affected as far as he knows. We've also had her to the vet who gave us some cortisone to give her for a couple of weeks. It didn't seem to do anything though. The next step was to do a scratch test but that's going to run us around $500 so that's a last resort. There are a couple of weeds out by the fence that I have no idea what they are. I might rip some out and take them to a nursery and see if someone can identify them. I ordered the Eagle Pack before I got the replies, so if nothing else, it will be healthier for her anyway. One thing, I ended up getting the Duck flavour one, do you think the fish would be a better option. I can probably switch my order. Thanks, Jaime

Hi Everybody, I am new to this forum but I came across it in my search for answers. I have a 1 1/2 year old Lab who appears to be suffering from severe allergies. She scratches and chews at herself constantly to the point of making her skin raw. She now has several "Hot Spots" on her face and head that I am treating by shaving the spot and cleaning with hydrogen peroxide (hope this is right) Anyway, it seems to have started in the last six months or so when we moved so it could be something around here. I don't think we have any wandering jew or similar. I am thinking it may be a food allergy since aren't most dog food allergies beef related? My mother in law has started bringing her bones from the butcher right about when it started and she is just getting cheap supermarket food at the moment. I know now that this is terrible for her and I am going to switch her right away. I've heard good things about the Eagle Brand holistic food for allergies. Does anyone think its worth trying this out or would another brand be better? Also, if you have any other ideas what could be causing her scratching please let me know. I really hope it's the food since this can be controlled. Thanks very much, Jaime