Grrrr. Fleas!

[j]

I found fleas on my dog after he went to the vet.

Gave both dogs and both cats Capstar tablets. Dogs were washed (with just normal shampoo) then one dog got frontline, (last in the box) and the other got advantage. Cats were both treated with advantage as well.

3 weeks later and I found more fleas on the dogs, so today I gave them capstar, washed them with Fidos flea wash, dried them and then put Advantage on them.

I have just read through the pinned flea thread and it says to wait at least 24-48hrs after a wash before putting the advantage on, so now I'm wondering how long I need to wait before I can treat them with advantage again or if it will still be a bit effective? The instruction leaflet only says to avoid applying the product when the dog is wet and not to use more than weekly. I guess I can just wait a week and use capstar in the meantime if I see more fleas on them? Or should I retreat before then?

My poor dogs are red and itchy!

[Guest Ams]

I found fleas on my dog after he went to the vet.

Gave both dogs and both cats Capstar tablets. Dogs were washed (with just normal shampoo) then one dog got frontline, (last in the box) and the other got advantage. Cats were both treated with advantage as well.

3 weeks later and I found more fleas on the dogs, so today I gave them capstar, washed them with Fidos flea wash, dried them and then put Advantage on them.

I have just read through the pinned flea thread and it says to wait at least 24-48hrs after a wash before putting the advantage on, so now I'm wondering how long I need to wait before I can treat them with advantage again or if it will still be a bit effective? The instruction leaflet only says to avoid applying the product when the dog is wet and not to use more than weekly. I guess I can just wait a week and use capstar in the meantime if I see more fleas on them? Or should I retreat before then?

My poor dogs are red and itchy!

Spot on flea treatments should probably be used no more than once very two weeks. If they still have fleas you can use capstar again or wash every three days in the flea rinse until it is safe to use the spot on again. They are probably getting the fleas back if you haven't waited for the natural oils to return to their skin after their baths before using the spot on. The oils are necessary to assist in the spread of the stuff.

Good luck.

[persephone]

..and don't forget to treat the house/bedding!

[Staff'n'Toller]

You can use capstar daily until you can reapply advantage.

The fact that three weeks later you are seeing more fleas is testimony to the fact that the flea population was already existing in your home- not at the Vet Clinic.

You can bomb your house with commercial flea bombs removing all animals and humans whilst doing it for half a day or so. Much of the population will be in your carpets/floorboards/pets bedding/upholstery etc.

[j]

Thanks everyone.

They are regularly treated with flea treatments - all my neighbours have dogs and/or cats so I prefer to just do it as a matter of course.

I hadn't actually found any fleas on them until after the vet visit (washed and clipped the dogs lunch time one day (no fleas located), next day, found a grass seed embedded in Maxs armpit - so he went to have it removed. Saw fleas on him the day after the vet visit.)

All bedding has been washed, floors vacumned etc. Might need to get some sort of topical treatment for the yard and areas they lay in.

I will just keep up with the capstar and Fidos for a few weeks then treat again.

[persephone]

All bedding has been washed, floors vacumned etc.

Nope- doesn't do it as well as flea bombs

You need a flea bomb or three.

The eggs are in crevices in the skirting boards/couches/ anywhere... the flea bombs have a growth regulator in, and will also kill eggs.

[Dogsfevr]

Yep you need to bomb the house sooner than latter especially with the weather warming up.the longer you leave it the bigger the problem you will have

[~Anne~]

And due to the nature of flea eggs, you are best bombing again after the following Winter even if you haven't seen evidence yet of fleas. Some of the eggs laid this season will not hatch until the weather begins to warm up next season.

I would wash the bedding in a flea wash as well. Vacuum kennels and carpets before bombing and throw the vacuum bag away or wash it with the flea rinse as well.

Edited November 21, 2009 by PugRescueSydney

[Sarah8]

id use the spot on treatment every two weeks, and capstar when you notice fleas. sometimes the flea shampoos can do more harm than good. most shampoos only work while in direct contact with your dog, once you wash them off they stop working (dont have a lingering effect). they can also be washing off the (expensive) advantage so its not working as well as it should. id just use the advantage and capstar, apply it when your dogs are nice and dirty (it absorbs into the oil glands of the skin) and it will work better. good luck, its an uphill battle but stick with it!! p.s. remember that capstar only kills adult fleas and only lasts 24 hours so make sure you continue the spot on treatment.