My dog has fleas!

[sungal]

Thanks everyone-I appreciate your help. It is a difficult thing to go through.

Here's the thing..I did take her to the groomer and the groomer said if they see even one flea they have to give her a flea dip- it's their policy since other dogs are there. This groomer appointment was after giving her Capstar for a few days, a pill that lasts for 24 hours and kills the adult fleas. I picked her up at the groomer and no fleas! I was so happy. I let her back on my bed and the couch.

Then two days later I look through her fur and they're back. So she picked them up from my apartment! I never researched and had no idea that they lay eggs all around and multiply like crazy.

Jess, at one point it was just one or two but with her bath two days ago, I ended up with about 12 dead ones!

What I'm wondering is if I should just be vigilant about vacuuming, always washing linens, and keeping Ginger flea free with the Capstar (not happy about making her swallow an insecticide)....and hopefully all the flea eggs will just die?

Or, should I go ahead and get an exterminator to spray what is essentially a flea birth control? It's very expensive and again not really happy about returning to an apartment filled with chemicals. And it will have to be done twice.

I thought the flea problem wasn't so bad, but it has been going on for over one month, I have one bite on my ankle (not that I care, but that's the state of things), and I have seen two fleas just jumping on the floor. I killed both!

[FL_Style]

I've worked for a Veterinarian in South FL for many years, so I'll add my 2 cents..
Flea dips / baths don't work - waste of time and money since they only kill the few fleas that are on the pet at that moment. ALSO, it destroys the efficacy of the Frontline that your pet is currently using.

. Here is the normal treatment for a flea infestation:

1. Treat the environment - Spray the entire living area - including underneath beds / couches /etc. Clean all bedding materials. You don't need to pay an exterminator since the same chemicals can be purchased in Home Depot. Just make sure that you buy a spray with IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). If it doesn't say IGR then you will continue to be re-infested. I have found the "bomb" type where you set them and need to leave for the day works the best.

2. Capstar for 4 days (A MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN ANY FLEA DIP)

3. Switch to Advantage once the 3-4 week time has elapsed

That should take care of your problem...and don't get too upset. We live in South Florida...Fleas are EVERYWHERE. Just be thankful that you don't have a tick problem. Now those are difficult to get rid of! Good Luck!

[sungal]

Thank you so much! I love this board because you never know when someone new will pop up with excellent advice. That's a great game plan! I love the idea that Ginger only needs to take a small amount of the Capstar. I should try to do the spraying myself-I'll save $250.

I thought she had a tick at one point..pets are so enjoyable but when they have a major problem it really takes over your life!

[sungal]

I just want to say thank you to everyone who gave me advice! I learned fleas are a big problem in Miami and the city actually sprays the dog parks.

After lots of research here's what I did to fix everything:

1. Comfortis- it's an oral tablet you get from the vet that kills the adult fleas, which stops the cycle. After 36 hours, there were no live fleas on her. It's monthly pill, and it's taken instead of Frontline or Advantage.

2. Fleabusters powder- Luckily the vet was in when I got Ginger's pill, and he recommended it and said it was approved by a dermatologist. No super scary chemicals like the others. Some of the others cause cancer and lung damage-it says so right on the box! You vacuum the apartment and then just sprinkle the powder along the walls and work it in with a broom until there's no visible powder. You also sprinkle under the couch cushions. It was pretty easy, but you can call Fleabusters and they'll do it for you.

A note to newcomers: The fleas here are so bad that if you use a topical medicine like Frontline, feel free to apply every 3 weeks instead of 4.

According to my vet (Dr. Tenzer) Heartz flea collars with IGH cause seizures! I bought one for Ginger so I'm glad I checcked with him first. Also avoid brewer's yeast pills with Garlic, or any Garlic pills, and avoid itch relief sprays with tea trea oil. If the dog has any skin irritations like blistering sores in a small area, which Ginger has go to the vet ASAP.

[fredgarvin]

Ginger's a happy puppy again!!!!!!

[laurab]

What an annoying problem, right? My indoor cat got fleas for the first time ever and it was because the fleas do so well here and FL and many of my neighbors have dogs who probably have fleas. Here is a little more advice:

Treat your carpet with borex which you can get in a grocery store. I sprinkle the carpet with it and use a broom to work it into the carpet. Leave it there for a few days. Borex is an inexpensive and non chemical cleaning agent. Vacum in a few days and ALWAYS CHANGE THE BAG when you vacum or dump and wash with hot water if you have a bagless vacumm. Flea eggs hatch in there and will reinfest your house if you dont dump it.

I used advantage on my cat but it made him get foamy in his mouth as he tried to clean his coat off. I had to bathe him about two hours after I applied the solution because it really scared me. I dont think I will ever do that again. I think, instead, I will bath him in a tea tree oil solution frequently when and if he gets fleas. THe advantage solution made him sick for a few days and was tramatic for both of us. It did get rid of his fleas though.

I am very satisfied with the results of treating my carpets with borex every 3 weeks. Those little buggers haven't been able to make my apartment a home, despite my neighbors infested animals.