Flea treatments, dog

ElephantBoy57

I have tried various flea treatments, some I see a slight improvement, but over the last few months my dog has been itching.

She is due at the vets on Monday, but I find it difficult to believe that different brands of flea treatment, bought via ebay or the supermarket, do not work; whilst a vet bought treatment does work.

I havve never seen fleas on my dog, she is mostly black.

What are your experiences of treating fleas? We also have two cats.

Katiehound

Steer clear of supermarket flea treatments. Basic Frontline (and the generic variety) hasn't been very effective for a while- fleas have become immune . It may well be that you need a POM treatment.

 My suggestion would be to buy whatever the vet advises (just one dose) and then if possible, buy repeats of that drug from a reputable online supplier.

If there is any chance of fleas you need to be treating the cats at the same time otherwise that is something of a pointless exercise!

tacpot12

We've had more success with Bravecto and less with Broadline, both prescribed by the vets. 

ElephantBoy57

Katiehound said:

Steer clear of supermarket flea treatments.  My suggestion would be to buy whatever the vet advises (just one dose) and then if possible, buy repeats of that drug from a reputable online supplier.
If there is any chance of fleas you need to be treating the cats at the same time otherwise that is something of a pointless exercise!

I have used Fiprotex, Johnsons, Wilkos and others; the cats have been treated. But it seems like its only the dog that is scratching/biting.

I am vaccuming more and have sprayed the rooms. I will buy what the vet recommends, then use what I have left over the winter of next year.

Savvy_Sue

Of course, you have to bear in mind it might not be fleas, there might be some other reason for scratching / biting? 

ElephantBoy57

I took her to the vets and she saw fleas straight away. Maybe they have got worse in the last few weeks.

She applied a flea treatment and gave some pills to stop my dog itching.

Charge me £56, which I thought was rather expensive. I will get some more flea treatment, either from the vets or from a trusted brand.

I have sprayed the room again, I need to make sure these fleas are erradecated.

Katiehound

If the flea treatment vet used is not POM you will be able to buy from online pharmacy like VetUk, Viovet. Personally I would not bother with Johnsons, Bob Martins and the like. Perhaps the cats still have fleas and are passing them on (or the eggs) to the dog?
Generally it is over winter that the problem gets worse - all the fitted carpets.

Luckily my dogs don't get them but I had a dog, long ago,in the past which had an allergic reaction to flea bites. At the time he had a flea collar- which I was told (by vet!)was essentially a waste of space.

You might look at modern dog flea collars because I think they have good track record. Seresto? just googled- lasts up to 8 months and suggests 70% Black Friday reduction. Might be worth a look

ElephantBoy57

I have read that some say "1/2 at the base of neck, 1/2 at base of tail", but most just say base of neck.

Katiehound

ElephantBoy57 said:

I have read that some say "1/2 at the base of neck, 1/2 at base of tail", but most just say base of neck.

I think that depends on the size of the dog because you get a larger quantity for the larger dog and would have quite a flood in one place. I usually put on neck and along top end of spine. I wouldn't want to put it anywhere they might be able to lick like base of tail - they can be contortionists after all ! (If it suits them!)

JGB1955

We had trouble eradicating fleas on our Springer Spaniel.  My husband didn't see it as a problem as he was never bitten.  It ended when the grandchildren also got bitten and my daughter-in-law refused to let them visit until the problem was sorted.  Two visits from our Pest Control neighbour (at a cost of around £200) and the children were allowed to visit again!  We've had no repeat infestations since (touch wood) and seem to keep it under control with Frontline + at a cost of £8 per month from Pets at Home.

ElephantBoy57

She is still mostly ok after being treated at the vets, but she has an occasional scratch.

I used my flea comb today, I found one flea. One too many, but only one. I have never found any fleas before.

I know with children, if you comb every day, you can erradicate the problem that way. I have a dog flea comb which has wide teeth, I also used my flea comb with much narrower teeth.

Not easy to use the flea comb with narrow teeth on my dog. Has anyone used a flea comb?

I dont want to over-dose on the treatments, because it is an insectacide and could be unpleasant for the dog.