Fleas!

[Wrongdissection]

It’s that time of year and I’ve noticed fleas on the dog. I’ve also noticed the odd one whilst sitting on the sofa. I’ve flea powdered the furniture, hot washed the bedding and all blankets and hoovered everything to within an inch of its life. The dog has of course been treated with on the spot treatment at the back of his neck but I’m still seeing the odd flea on the furniture, what is the best powder/treatment I can use for the house to ensure I’m not stuck in a never ending of cycle of fleas living in my house 🤢

[dementedpixie]

What spot on is it? If it's not a vet one it may not be effective. Indorex is supposed to be good for the house

[Wrongdissection]

I take it this is neither use nor ornament then? Should I take the dog to the vets or just go to the vets and ask for treatment to buy OTC? This is the stuff I’ve always used previously every couple of months so we must have just been lucky as the dog is 3!

[Wrongdissection]

Argh don’t think the picture has added

[littlebauxpeep]

Indorex spray - everywhere (and I really mean everywhere - especially seams of sofas, behind sofas, underneath sofas - also spray hard surfaces, the flea eggs could get anywhere the dog goes). Vacuum first. Spray. Leave room (instructions on the packaging). Ventilate. Do it all again a few days later. Wash dog's bedding on a hot wash and any blankets/toys.

As for the dog - we gave up all on the spot on treatments (all over the counter stuff stops working eventually). We are now on quite pricey vet prescribed worming and flea treatment combined - Nexgard Spectra. Touch wood, we haven't had a problem since...

I will keep using the monthly Nexgard even though I am tempted to economise and go back to Frontline. The stress of fleas (we had them twice) means that the cost of Nexgard is definitely worth it to me.

[Wrongdissection]

Thank you, I’ll google that stuff. It’s awful isn’t it? I just feel so grotty having a flea infested house.

Are flea collars still a thing or are they not used now?

[littlebauxpeep]

We didn't bother with flea collars for the dog - we put one in the vacuum at one stage but I don't think it did anything particularly - it was the liberal use of indorex and nexgard that saved us.

Get the big cans - multipack, think they were cheaper on Amazon but we bought from vet as I just wanted an immediate one stop shop. Spray everywhere (have I emphasised this fact enough!).

From memory we saw signs of improvement after about 48 hours - and total eradication within about 1-2 weeks. It can get worse before it gets better. Vacuuming encourages the eggs to hatch so you may think 'argh what have I done'. But once hatched the indorex gets to work and obliterates them. Get dog done with the nexgard same day you indorex. Fleas need to meet a totally hostile host animal and host environment - any gap between treating dog and environment just prolongs the flea life cycle you'll be dealing with.

Fleas are horrid - I just feel unclean thinking about them and I was mortified we had them despite using the Frontline Plus religiously. I was the only one bitten (I am an all you can eat buffet for any biting insect) but the very thought of them in the house had DH in a spin. Had he been bitten I suspect napalm and moving would have been considered...I was close to it myself being the one actually suffering with the bites...

Good luck with your struggle - you will be victorious!

[Wrongdissection]

Argh right ok. We go on holiday on Thursday and a friend has the dog for us. I really really don’t want to give her fleas. I’m dying just thinking about it!!

Does anyone know where I can get Indorex over the counter from a physical shop? I’ve googled but can only see online sales.

[littlebauxpeep]

Vets - if you go the vet tomorrow you should be able to start everything straight away. My vet is a one-man band but he has a morning Saturday clinic and I just went in to the receptionist and begged for flea help. She could sell us the indorex but needed to just check with the vet (we weren't charged a consultation fee and didn't have an appointment) to confirm the prescription for nexgard could be given.

Dog had to be weighed so the dose could be confirmed (he fluctuates between weight categories so I'm glad I took him in). He took the tablet there and then. Spray was, I think under £20 for two giant cans of indorex and the nexgard for his weight (large dog) is about £60 for a three month supply - that includes a wormer too so no additional cost for that.

I know what you mean about dog being a holiday guest with a friend. We had the same moral anguish with our regular doggy hotel (he stays in a home environment as is throughly spoilt). As it was about a week between starting the treatment and his overnight stay I didn't say anything in the end (I agonised over this). I figured that the dog had been treated (and that part of the eradication plan works really quickly - you then only have the environment to worry about) and his bed/soft things etc. sterilised (multiple times, daily washing - he was sent away with brand new items which had never seen our house).

We saw a big flea reduction before he went away and the problem was much less severe than it was and also felt like 'our' problem at home. Nothing was mentioned about fleas by our dog hotel and he has gone away to the same place to be looked after again so I don't think he took the problem with him...

If I remember rightly the nexgard kills the fleas by stopping them producing eggs/somehow interrupting their reproductive cycle. So the only problem you then have is unhatched eggs (hence the indorex). Any fleas hatching and going on the dog will meet a similar fate - they will die. So once dog is treated your concern is all the unhatched eggs. Which will then be in your home not on the dog. So, unless your friend is house sitting it shouldn't be a problem...

It's awful timing but start tomorrow and I would say that you stand a good chance of feeling on top of the problem by the time the dog has his holiday...and you get your much needed one!

[Wrongdissection]

Ok thank you. I shall go in to see the vets tomorrow morning and hopefully we’ll get some joy there! Thank you ☺️☺️

[claret3189]

We went to pets at home and they have plenty of flea treatment for both the dogs and house. You just have to ask them as its locked in a cabinet. We shampooed the dogs and combed though and you can see them come out ewwww. We also sprayed everywhere in the house

[Orangepancakes]

Advocate from the vets - best thing available when I left a vet practice last year but the vet will need to 'officially' weigh your dog. However, some practices will try to charge a consultation fee just to weigh your dog so shop/ring around! Usually £8-10 per pipette but is bombproof stuff.

Also, Seresto are one of the few decent flea collars nowadays.

Both of these are expensive though, have a Google for current prices.

[Orangepancakes]

Just re-read the thread properly and realised that you said for the house We used to just buy a general flea spray in - can't remember what it's called sorry!

[Orangepancakes]

The combined Nexguard Spectra also very good as a pp said^

[Wrongdissection]

Thank you, I’m heading to the vets this morning.

[Wrongdissection]

So the vets gave us some bravecto for the dog to take, said they should start dying within 8 hours. Now I just have to get to work with the Indorex.

Cost me a bastard fortune like. I didn’t ask for the breakdown. I just paid the bill and left!

[littlebauxpeep]

Glad to hear the vets have sorted you out (though at the cost...)

I just have to keep reminding myself that the cheaper over the counter spot on stuff is false economy...

I hope you've noticed some improvement by now and can start looking forward to your holiday.

[AtlasObscura]

Our vets offer a free weight check appointment with the nurse who can then advice on and prescribe for, the treatment you need. So this might be an option as alternative to paying consultation with vet (still have to pay for flea treatment though, obviously! ) but might be cheaper way to get treatment x

[AtlasObscura]

Sorry, just seen I'm too late! Glad you're sorted though xx

[Wrongdissection]

Two days prior to the end of our holiday and my Mam has called to say she’s been round to check on the house and the place is absolutely lifting with fleas. Her and my dad got bitten going in. They are noticeable and everywhere. Guess we didn’t break the lifecycle before coming away. We’ve got pest control going in tomorrow.