Dogs and fleas

Does anyone have any foolproof method of keeping fleas off their dogs?

My preference always is to find a 'natural' solution, but so far this season I've tried 3 different methods to no avail (aromatherapy, electro-magnetic tags, feed supplements). Finally gave in and used Frontline - but I'm still seeing fleas, and the terrier is pretty badly affected by bites

Any ideas??

We found Frontline to be absolutely hopeless this year and a couple of months ago changed to Practic - problem solved.

We also flea bombed the house as well.

I used Revolution on my dog this time and I found two fleas a few days later but nothing since. The cat on the other hand seems to still have occassional fleast but I sit and flea comb her as often as she jumps on my lap and not finding any now.

I learnt a good trick that I had never heard of and that is to put dishwashing liquid or I guess shampoo would work into a glass of water and as you drop the flea in they die in the sticky water! I have used boiling water up till now but this is a lot easier and safer.

Can you flea comb (animal one) your terrier?

One dog breeder used to swear by garlic as a flea deterrent. They gave their dogs 1 clove (crushed) a day each.

I would try getting rid of the fleas with Frontline or equivalent first if you have an infestation and then maintain the garlic levels.

We use Practic because it works on Tics and we have a lot of deer around here (Deer are magnets for Tics).

We used to use an organic garlic blend that we tipped in with their food but unfortunately didn't sort out the Tics

Hi, we found Pinetarsol good for washing the dogs in and spraying their bedding etc. It lasted for about a couple of weeks, pretty economical, you don't have to wash it out of their hair, and from memory is pretty safe. Also good for bites, and measles and chicken pox in kids.Cheers.

I wanted to raise this topic again and retract everything I said about R! When I posted on this subject, it was 13 days after applying it to my dog. This morning I rang the manufacturer and put in a complaint.

Background, I have lived on this property for 21 years, have always had dogs and cats and NEVER had a flea problem. My animals were lucky if they were defleaed once every six months. The two fleas I found on my dog were the most I had ever seen on her in her life! It appears that was the end of it's usefulness. She is four.

Today is 21 days since I applied R and for the past five days, I have been taking up to 30 fleas a day off her with a flea comb. I am not being bitten, my vistors are not being bitten, the house is clean and regularly vaccumed. No new animals - nothing has changed except for using R. The majority of fleas are found at the site of application for goodness sake.

To add to this, I was speaking with a friend this morning, also on a farm and he said he too had used R for the first time and his two dogs were crawling with fleas. Neither of us have had this problem before. He was the one who actually said that it is acting like a attraction! I had said the same thing to the Rep.

As regards enviromental factors, the only thing we have in common is humidity with him getting no rain and me getting a reasonable amount. One of the things I did find out was that there were no tests done in NZ as to effectiveness (the background is USA and Aussie (can't remember others) and all I could say was that maybe our fleas are different to American fleas! Anyway, I'm not happy so thought I would update my previous post as I have completely changed my mind.

I have dosed with F & F+ and still have heaps of fleas, it is the year for it I think. I flea bombed the laundry (where they sleep) and OH's office washed the bedding and vacummed everywhere else and still lots of fleas on the dogs. it is very frustrating...[}]

I'm aware that people are saying they are having more flea problems than usual but I'm suggesting that having lived on this property for 21 years through every combination of weather from Cyclone Bola to not a blade of grass, to a dam drying up three times in 21 years, I have experienced it. The only difference this year had been the ongoing humidity and maybe (I don't know) that has made the difference.

Regardless, to be paying that amount of money for a product that lasts two weeks is outside the claims in their own paperwork. "Adult fleas are killed for one month following administration etc". "Flea larvae and eggs exposed to this R dosing schedule are killed or rendered not viable and flea reproduction is stopped (what the hell does that mean - they can't breed?) but they can continue biting? Well it is not working on my dog.

My Vet has agreed to me returning the unused ones and will replace it with another brand. Incidentally, my dog vomited the day after having this as well (she never vomits!) so I won't be using this product again but happy for others to choose too if they are not having the same problems. I'm just sharing my experience in case others are also and if so, I hope you will ring the Manufacturer (on the box) and make a report.

I can't recommend Practic highly enough. As I said earlier we were having a huge problem with Frontline - when we changed to practic the problem has gone.
Would it be possible for the fleas to build up an immunity, like lice do to the shampoos??
it has been particularly bad this summer.

I hope I can give you some good advice on flea control that will help stop your dog's suffering.

It is often not enough to treat the dog (or cat) affected by fleas. It is also important to treat the areas the dog (or cat) inhabits. Most of the time the fleas are not on the dog (or cat) the adult fleas, pupae and larvae spend more time in the areas where the animal sleeps or inhabits. I.e. The pet bedding, kennel, sleeping quarters and areas surrounding. These should be treated with an insecticide containing an insect growth regulator (IGR). The IGR will prevent eggs or larvae developing into sexually mature adults. The insecticide should contain a long tern residual insecticide to kill adult fleas as they emerge from the pupal stage. There are several appropriate insecticides. look for one that mentions control of fleas and contains IGR.

David

David - just chuckling because I know what you are saying is technically correct but my spoilt wee brat sleeps on the bottom corner of my bed and I can assure you, there are no fleas, larve or pupae there. White sheets and cover would show up any spots in a heartbeat. In the lounge - on the back of my chair. Can you comment on why I am not getting bitten if there are fleas in my house?

As far as the area she inhabits on a daily basis - she is all over the farm with me every day so that would seem to be out of the question. Having said all that, I have decided to fly spray all my carpets. I was advised to many years ago by the Health Department when I had a "shag pile" carpet and it worked a treat. Spray, vaccum and then repeat three days later. I'm shopping tomorrow so will bear in mind your advise and check the cans. Thanks for that.

Hi Didi....again,

Dog fleas prefer to suck the blood of dogs. Cat fleas prefer the blood of cats. Bird fleas prefer the blood of birds.

So I am not surprised that fleas do not feed off you, but feed on the blood of your dog. They are almost certainly dog fleas. I am also not surprised that you do not see them, even on the white sheets. Fleas do not spend much time on their hosts. Once they have had a good feed they hop off to hide in out of the way places where they are hard to detect.

Which dog flea control product do you use?

The health dept. gave good advice on vacuum vacuum vacuum. This removes the detritus that larvae would feed on (dust and skin cells) that build up in carpets, and will remove some eggs. It also activates pupae. Make sure you seal vacuum bags in plastic bags and dispose of promptly.

When you purchase flea control product tomorrow make sure you chose one that the contains insect growth regulator (IGR).

Good luck to you and your spoilt wee brat.

Wish I had one.

Hi DiDi, I am having the same problem with the my terrier and have been using the same product - maybe its a Franklin problem. :confused: They are blimmen expensive for something that does not seem to actually work!! Poor puppy. Her bedding is washed regularly and she lives outside during the day so I don't think there is much option out there. Might give her kennel a big clean out though. I gave her a bath last week with a flea shampoo so hopefully that should give her a bit of respite.
I will certainly not be using that particular product again.

I used the one mentioned in my thread at the top for the first time. The reason I changed to using the R letter was I had g**gled "Problems with R?" and my thread had come up. Don't want to be sued as they are richer than me!