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A common complaint this time of year is when clients call or come into the vet clinic complaining about persistence of fleas, despite their diligent use of the tried, tested and effective topical flea and tick medications such as Frontline Plus or Advantage. Often this is the result of a failure of us as veterinarians in fully educating clients on a complete flea control program. Before all of the topical spot on flea products came out many years ago, it was taught to us in veterinary school to stress to clients to treat the home environment, given that almost 80% of the flea life cycle occurs in the environment. |
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While many of the topical flea products claim they are highly effective against flea eggs, many exterminators and parasitologists I have spoken with have told me that often flea eggs can be resistant to the insecticidal effects of some of these products. Most of the flea eggs that are laid on the animal do roll off onto the pet’s bedding, carpeting, or furniture in the home. It is therefore important for animal guardians not only to treat their pets topically with flea control medication, which indeed controls and kills flea adults and larvae on the pet, but also to treat the home as well with insect growth regulator compounds such as Virbac Knockout Fogger from 1800petmeds or other products like flea busters, or even employing an exterminator in heavy infestations to help kill flea eggs. There is also an excellent birth control-like product that works in sterilizing adult fleas from laying eggs called Program Tablets, which can be used at same time as the topical spot on flea products like Frontline Plus or Advantage.
I also find it helpful to treat the yard as well with a yard and kennel flea spray. Many garden stores sell special type of worms called nematodes, which are often effective against fleas when applied in the garden or backyard. Unless a multi-pronged flea approach is taken, as well as careful attention to application of the topical flea products, according to manufacturer recommendations, clients may find that relying on the topical spot on products alone may fail in their attempts to control these pesky parasites.
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9 Comments
I applied the frontline the day it arrived. But it doesn’t seem to be doing to much good. But as I read I need to treat by yeard. We live in the country so naturally we have bugs and ticks there. Going to give him a bath tonight with flea shampoo. See that will help. Didn’t want to put the frontline on him so soon. Thanks for inquiring about Snowball
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I have tried everything. I was my basement down with amonia and water, that seems to work. I bathe my cat once a month, with flea and tick shampoo that helps a lot. (i know cats do not like to be bathed), but this is necessary.During the summer months I use a fogger that specializes in flea and tick control.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
October 19th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I would have exterminator come to your home and treat whole home for fleas. I would also try using either advantage or front line topically on cat as well as consider oral capstar if live adult fleas being seen. Flea busters is another great product that can be found on line for treating home as well.
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scooter is great the only problem i have with him is that he is extremely restless at night. He doesn’t go to sleep right away instead he raoms the house all night
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
December 11th, 2010 at 11:31 am
You can try some natural remedies like composure or Be Serene from 1800petmeds. See your vet for evaluation if symptosm persist to rule out medical disorders.
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I am just getting started with Petmeds so I am excited about it,I hope it is as good as my friends have said it is.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
January 17th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Thanks. Please check out all of the wonderful products, and new food section.
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I have been using your Advantage since my girl was a pup (4 years) I have NEVER seen a flee on her or in my house
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She did have two ticks beside each other a couple years ago, not sure what happened there, thank goodness it was close to bath time or might not have seen them for awhile.
We have a couple acres she can play on and why the fleas are not an issue I don’t know. We don’t have a cat but there are a couple strays around here and our close neighbors do.
-Which can sometimes me the cause of flee infestations.
Maybe it is the type of grass we have or the plants and flowers??
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I dont thikn it is grass because advantage only works against fleas. You should consider advantix which has teh other protection in it for the ticks.
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Thanks for the reply.
I was referring to fleas not liking the plant life around here, since I have never seen a flea on her – or around here.
I use advantage because it stops heart worms and we travel to a *highly mosquito infested area often in the summer which concerns me.
I thought advantage worked for ticks too, but my mistake, I just check her Very often, during her belly rubs and pets which are between how often she would like them and how often I have time (about 10 x a day).
*the area is known for mosquito’s but I haven’t been bit by one up there… Hot weather and water…..
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Advantix will provide you with extra coverage for ticks for your dog
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I have a poodle that I saved 2 years ago. About this time every year she starts gnawing at her end side. She makes it bleed from gnawing so much. I give her benedryl and 1/2 aspirin, yet she will not stop gnawing. Is there any advice?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 21st, 2011 at 9:44 pm
You can try different antihistamine instead of benadryl. Sometimes one works better over another. Try chlorphenrimine at dose of 2 mg twice daily. Also try DMG liquid as well Bath every other day in shampoo like chlorihexiderm shampoo as well to cut down on allergens. See vet if signs persist or worsen. Adding fatty acid like be well can help as well.
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Reading the letters published has been very helpful. I have a Border Collie-Chow mix who has always had what we call “bad skin” meaning he gets places that he chews at, enough to make him bleed like Mary’s poodle. I do use Advantage altho perhaps not on-the-dot regularly as I need to. I realize now that I should treat the yard and their bedding. We have no carpeting or rugs in the house but we still have professional exterminators to treat the baseboards, etc. I was told by a vet tech that it only takes one flea bite to start the chewing. I will try your recommendations to Mary for anti-histamine and fatty acids. Any other recommendations? Our other dog, a golden retriever mix has no skin problems at all!
- Sally
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
June 9th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Antihistamines and fatty acids are in fact helpful in managing many allergic dogs.Also regular bathing with shampoos like 1800petmeds aloe vera and oatmeal shampoo and conditioner every few days can also help keep skin/coat clear of allergens.
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I have a 3 pound Yorkie. I worry about these products harming the liver, spleen, kidneys after all if they kill fleas etc. these are bound to cause something in our dogs. What info, statistics to you have on this. What about Revolution or other products…made for low weight…are they as toxic?
How do we lessen toxic affects as dogs and cats can’t talk and tell us if they feel dizzy, etc.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
July 31st, 2011 at 11:24 am
Hi Di:
Thanks for your excellent questions. In my experience and opinion, toy breeds are more prone to reactions to pesticides, and this has gotten alot of recent press as well. The EPA has been getting increasing numbers of complaints and is investigating these issues you are asking about. For now the best we can do is use the products as labelled, and of course discontinue use if there are any suspected reactions and report the problems not only to their veterinarians and drug manufacturer, but also the the EPA as well. If you are that concerned, consider natural alternatives such as Buck Mountain’s Parasite dust, as well as cedar from http://www.cedarcide.com
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