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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Arrgh - just found fleas!

12 replies

Mymenoname · 22/12/2023 20:38

Well it's two days before Christmas Eve, when I'm due to head over to my family's houses (parents then sister) for the Christmas period. And of course that's when I discover my dog has fleas.

He's been itching more than usual for a few days, but we had a good look at him about two days ago and couldn't find anything. This time when I looked I spotted one. I've dosed him with Frontline immediately, but it won't even be 48 hours before we (me and dog) are due at my parents'.

I don't think the infestation can be that bad. He was groomed 9 days ago, so he must have been clear then. He may have picked it up there, I guess.

Anyway - what to do? Can I take him? Can a dog that has been treated spread fleas - presumably any that would jump off him are dying? My sister has indoor cats, so if I do decide I could go to my parents, I'd be less inclined to take him to my sister's.

OP posts:
SecondUsername4me · 22/12/2023 20:39

Front line is absolute garbage I'm flea management. Advantage is the bees knees. Advantage the dog, comb if poss (we have cats), and order cans of Indorex to spray the house before you leave for your trip.

Original poster
Mymenoname · 22/12/2023 20:46

He had fleas a while ago and Frontline did the job. I kept seeing fleas for ages afterwards whilst they went through the cycle, but it definitely got rid of them.

OP posts:
FlamingoFlamboyance · 22/12/2023 20:57

I think your sister needs to know the full picture here, it would be incredibly annoying for her cats (and house) to become infested in case the treatment on your dog hasn't fully worked.

googledidnthelp · 22/12/2023 21:00

I would have bathed before applying product, you shouldn't bath for 48 hours afterwards.

Is it an infestation or just found a few?

AllAroundMyCat · 22/12/2023 21:01

Go to the vets. Frontline doesn't work any more.

Original poster
Mymenoname · 22/12/2023 21:31

It was just one that I found. I looked a couple of days ago and couldn't find any.

I absolutely will tell both my parents and my sister. I'm just waiting for my mum to call back.

As I said - Frontline worked fine for us in the summer. I can talk to the vets (after Christmas now) but it's probably unlikely that they'll agree to another dose of something else on top when at the moment it's not an infestation.

OP posts:
IngGenius · 22/12/2023 22:00

The fact that your dog has fleas now really does show that Frontline is not very successful in eradicating fleas.

You need to get treatment from the vet depending on the treatment choice then you can let your sister know the timings etc. Nexguard for example should kill fleas in 8 hours.

I would not want you bring a dog with fleas into my house though if they have only been treated the day or so before.

shootingstar1 · 22/12/2023 22:10

I have very recent experience with fleas on my dog. Like you, I panicked and gave him a flea treatment I had in the cupboard at home. I only saw 2 on him and there was no sign of itching at all. It was pure coincidence that I find them.

I called the vet the next day and was given advice to bring him in. Unfortunately most of the at home treatments only deter fleas and most will need a vet prescribed treatment to actually kill them. As you have used an at home treatment u need to tell the vet exactly what u have given him to avoid too much of an active ingredient and your dog becoming poorly .

I was told that they would get worse before they get better. Apparently the treatment causes flies to become hyperactive before they eventually die so u may see more jumping around .

You will also need to wash all of dogs bedding and treat the home . We bought a spray that stops eggs hatching and this seemed really effective - sure it was called 4Fleas and was from Pets At Home . I also steam cleaned the house and soft furnishings beforehand.

I would also invest in a nit comb. Use this to run through the coat and if u get what looks like black dandruff (flea dirt) then u still have them.

We waited a week before bathing as u don't want to wash off the treatment.

Hope that helps ....

shootingstar1 · 22/12/2023 22:13

Sorry to add ... I know it's only one that u have found but they reproduce like wildfire 😱. I'm sure they can lay up to 50 eggs per day. So getting the house treated/cleaned is really important otherwise your dog will just pick them up again . Good luck !

margotrose · 23/12/2023 11:33

As everyone else has said, Frontline is useless now. You need something like Advocate or Bravecto from the vets.

And you really need to be treating him regularly now that he's had an outbreak. Don't wait until a flea appears.

yumyum33 · 23/12/2023 11:37

I gave up on Frontline years ago. Fleas are immune to it now. Simparico Trio all the way.

IngGenius · 23/12/2023 14:08

Also if your dog has fleas you need to treat for tapeworm at the same time - again speak to your vet

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