moosepup Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 (edited) I'm sure there are 8000 topics similar to this but I can't find the answer I'm after in any of the threads. Took dogs for a check up today and the vet says they both have flea dirt on their rumps. Neither of them have been scratching and I can't actually see any fleas anywhere. Last time they had this the vet recommended Frontline Plus. When I used it I just about passed out from the toxic smell. Is there something more 'gentle' I can use? A wash preferably? Or something natural? Or a half dose each of the Frontline? Any tips or suggestions welcome. Thanks. ETA: I don't use preventatives as they hardly ever get fleas and I think it's unnecessary. Edited July 23, 2011 by moosepup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 I use PERMOXIN but do NOT use this if there are cats in the house with your dogs ... cats cannot metabolise the chemical ..it is dangerous for them. I don't find the smell too bad .. it sort of foams ,so can be worked well in to the coat ..and can be applied every few days if needed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Comfortis is a chew so you won't smell anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Wash all bedding and any soft furnishings (theirs and yours) in hot water and eucalyptus oil then hang in the sun to air dry. Clean all carpets and rugs and 'flea bomb' the house. Spread garden lime liberally on grass and dirt areas, keeping dogs off it - water in after a few hours before allowing dogs access. Wash dogs - any normal shampoo will do (doesn't have to be a 'flea' one though if you want to use one I recommend the Fidos brand one) but make sure you work up a real lather all over the coat (it is the suds that are important, not necessarily what is in them). Start at the head and neck (creating a 'ring' around the neck with the suds) then work your way backwards. Make sure you wash all over including between the legs and under the tail. This will kill any fleas on the dog. The rest (above) is to help get rid of the fleas in the environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share Posted July 24, 2011 Thanks guys. Would a hot tumble dry suffice? There's not a lot of sun around today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara&Heidi Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 For a wash I find the Fidos dog shampoo is good (it contains pyrethrin to kill the fleas). I find I have to use it quite frequently because the fleas will come back after a day or two. You can sprinkle borax and/or diatomaceous earth and/or hydrated lime on carpet and bedding, leave it for a while and vacuum it up. You can also dust your dogs with diatomaceous earth after their bath (it will make them grey and dusty but it's much safer then frontline as long as you make sure they don't inhale the dust). This should be repeated whenever the diatomaceous earth seems to have all come off until there are no more fleas. The diatomaceous earth is from http://www.berigorafarm.com.au/ Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elise+Hudson Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 (edited) If you see fleas or flea dirt on your dog you really do need to use a preventative.. as treating the fleas on the dog in that instant (like flea washes do) only copes with a very small number of the total flea population. Vaccuming carpets etc can actually make the situation worse by waking the pupae up, and it does not suck up all the eggs. Flea bombs and sprays also just sit on the top layer of the carpet, and don't get right down to where the fleas and their life stages are hiding. Half a dose of frontline is about as useful as dripping water onto your dog. I reccomend my clients use Advantage/Advocate/Advantix or Comfortis for flea control. Edited July 24, 2011 by eventingpony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Another for Comfortis ... our boys don't normally have fleas but occassionly they will pick up a few and start scratchings. Since being on Comfortis - absolutely no fleas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share Posted July 24, 2011 We don't have any carpet, only wood and tiles. I've washed them (couldn't get Fido's so used one with similar ingredients) and all associated bedding & toys and will monitor it. If they have flea dirt (haven't seen any fleas at all, anywhere or any scratching) next weekend I'll treat them. I don't think a preventative is necessary when they've only had them twice in 2 years and neither time have I seen any fleas so it's not a huge infestation. Just my opinion of course, I choose to medicate as little as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 The experts tell us that with the time the lifecycle takes, if you have a small infestation then treating for 6 months is advisable. Obviously you haven't seen any so it may be unrelated dirt. However I had all dogs on IGRs and stupidly left it out for a few months in Spring and bam we had fleas. Just sayin' that only treating for one month might see them back with a vengenance once the weather warms up as the eggs etc. May still be present in floor crevices or in furniture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 I hear ya, I just really hate the stench of topical treatments. I might switch them over to Spectrum from Interceptor and see if that does the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elise+Hudson Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 What about Comfortis? It is a tablet so no smell, and it works fantasticly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I hear ya, I just really hate the stench of topical treatments. I might switch them over to Spectrum from Interceptor and see if that does the trick. That is what i use for my dogs - fleas were really bad here last summer and my guys got none, was great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DBT Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Another vote for Comfortis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 If I use Permoxin after a bath do you wait until the dog is dry or just spray it on while they're damp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 If I use Permoxin after a bath do you wait until the dog is dry or just spray it on while they're damp? using sprays on a dry coat ensures the spray is not further diluted by moisture in the coat ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 (edited) Thanks pers. And is it a saturation you're after or just a light spray? I'm going out to see if I can get some later. Edited July 31, 2011 by moosepup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 You need to get to the skin ..there are instructions on the bottles .You will need to buy a spray bottle to mix it in . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosepup Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 Okey dokes. Cheers for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I'm going out to see if I can get some later. I buy mine online ..or at the vets . In our town it's not readily available elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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