Fleas/Frontline question...

There_Goes_Trouble

Thanks.

I'll go and buy some Acclaim today and will do the house again. I can't afford to replace carpets or get professionals in, I have to win this one by myself.

Taadaa

I am in the same position TGT. We have had a problem for about 8 weeks now (sorry if that makes you feel even worse). On to using Frontline, this is the third type we haved used on them. We got these bomb things to treat the house from Pets at Home which were effective, they recommended hoovering twice a day. The fleas have been getting less every day, and they are getting smaller, so we think we are winning. I'm not keen on getting the council in as I am pregnant and would be worried about chemical residue on furniture etc. If this doesn't work they will have to go to the vets for treatment.

~Chameleon~

If your cat is still going outdoors and possibly sleeping in his favourite place in the garden, this could well be the source of continued flea infestation. Did you not try the Capstar or Johnson4fleas?

There_Goes_Trouble

Thanks Taadaa, I wish you weren't in this position, but being selfish it's nice to know I'm not alone, and good news that you're winning!

Chameleon, I didn't bother with the Capstar in the end, it only kills the fleas that are on the animal at the time and since they'll just get a new batch off the carpet within 24 hours there didn't seem much point. Please correct me if I'm wrong with that theory though, my local PaH does have it in stock so I can get some, I checked today.

PaH had sold out of Acclaim, in fact they had sold out of most stuff! The lady in the shop said loads of people are suffering fleas at the moment and their sales in the whole area had gone through the roof, all the shops in the area are struggling to restock the demand has been so great. I got their last can of Staykill though which has the same active ingredients as Acclaim, so I shouldn't set off any weird chemical reactions in my house by mixing products!

I also remembered I have some Dyna-mite citronella repellent in the cupboard which I used to use with the rabbits to keep the flies away. Since I don't have rabbits any more I keep some Dyna-mite diluted ready to use and spray it round the bins on hot days. I'd forgotten about it, but you can use it on both dogs and cats and it should help repel fleas. I doubt it'll make much difference to the fleas on them and it certainly won't help the house problem, but I gave the dog a drenching and the cats tolerated a light misting anyway. It's worth a try, if it does help to keep the fleas off them then that'll be a huge thing for my moral. I can cope with fleas in the house and on me, but when the animals can't stop scratching and are getting distressed, that's hard to deal with.

So, my plan now is to completely vacuume and spray the house again tomorrow (No point starting now, I won't get it all done tonight as moving the furniture takes too long). The cats have both been in all day but I have been taking the dog out for walks.

I'm going away for a few days later in the week which worries me slightly as I won't be able to keep on top of the vacuuming, however I can do it Thursday before I go and Sunday when I'm back, so it's only 2 days I'll miss, not the 4 I first thought. My Aunt is coming in to feed the cats but I can't ask her to hoover the whole house as well!! The dog is coming with me - I might get some Capstar actually, I could give her a dose on Thursday as we leave and she might get 4 flea free days till we get home!

NinkyNonk_2

Hi TGT! I thought I'd join your thread as yesterday I found fleas on my girl. I used Frontline Combo on her, last applied 12th July.
She had fleas last summer which I defeated after a few months, using a spray (I can't remember the name of) which I got from the vet.
I will be getting the spray again. But I feel the Frontline Combo is not working and am hoping to change protection. Which flea protection would you recommend?
In the meantime, is there anything else, along with spray the house, can I do to get rid of the fleas and protect my girl?
I'm going to look into a flea comb but can't imagine my girl sitting still long enough for me to do a thorough job.

There_Goes_Trouble

Hi NinkyNonk! Welcome to the flea club!

Clearly I'm not the person to ask for advice as I have yet to successfully beat the critters, but have a look through this thread and do a forum search on 'fleas', you'll find all the advice you need!

For me, the flea comb is more a way of feeling I'm doing something practical, but realistically if I can clear the live fleas out of my pets coats it gives them some relief for a while until the next batch come along. It does also help remove the flea dirt too so helps keep the coat cleaner. I've had a good root through my dog's coat this evening and she's now asleep and hasn't scratched for half an hour. The flea comb I've got is just a plastic one from PaH which cost 99p, so not a huge outlay. My cats are becoming more cooperative with combing, maybe they're just getting more used to it but I like to think they have realised they are more comfortable after a good groom. I know, it's anthropomorphism, but it makes me feel a bit better!

I think the general advice is treat the pet, spray the house, and pray!

Good luck, stick around and let us know how you get on, I like to have some company in my troubles!

~Chameleon~

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

Chameleon, I didn't bother with the Capstar in the end, it only kills the fleas that are on the animal at the time and since they'll just get a new batch off the carpet within 24 hours there didn't seem much point. Please correct me if I'm wrong with that theory though, my local PaH does have it in stock so I can get some, I checked today.

I was thinking more along the lines of killing any fleas that are picked up in the garden before they get brought back indoors and deposited in the carpet. It might just help break the cycle as you've obviously got a bit of a problem going on so need to attack it with full belts & braces.

WantToBeSE

Hi.
i am having a similar problem with my cat.
Over the last few months i have been reading about how fleas have built up a resistance to frontline, so for the first time ever, i have treated her with Advantage spot on instead.
I did this 2 days ago, as well as treating the whole house with Acclaim (got both products from vetuk online, as they were cheaper there), and the cat is already itching less, and i have only had 2 bites, whereas i have been bitten several times most days.

I have also heard that its best to RE treat the house with acclaim after about 2-3 weeks, to make sure that any stragglers get zapped.
Hope this helps

There_Goes_Trouble

I think I'll use something other than Frontline next time. Can't re-do them for 2 weeks yet so plenty of time to decide and order.

~Chameleon~

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

I think I'll use something other than Frontline next time. Can't re-do them for 2 weeks yet so plenty of time to decide and order.

You could actually use Advocate on them now

With the usual caveat that you call your own vet first as I'm not allowed to offer medical advice