Fleas, fleas, fleas! HELP! - Paw Talk

MissAmandasZoo · #1 12-30-2005, 02:57 PM

The other day i was playing with our sheltie cosmo. I rolled him over and the inside of his back leg was very raw, and the hair was gone. We called the vet and he said that he was itching so much from fleas that he had been licking and licking and licking which made it raw to the point that it bled. So he's on benadryl which has helped with the itching a little and his leg is getting better.

We didn't have fleas in Oregon because it was much colder. since we moved to texas he's been on monthly flea and tick topical. I put a flea collar on him and it just made them migrate to the back so his leg itched more. Once his leg is completely healed i'll give him a flea bath. I just don't want to over do it. I thought cooler weather would kill the fleas but i think they're all just jumping on him because he's warm. Is there anything i can do to get rid of them? The just won't go away.When i scratch cosmo's back he gets the heebie jeebies and starts itching. i feel so bad for him. My poodle's fine. They seem to like him more.

Chrisanne · #2 12-30-2005, 03:05 PM

What kind of topical are you using??

Chrisanne · #3 12-30-2005, 03:07 PM

I would recommend going and buying some frontline flea and tick spray and spraying your house totally. Fleas will infest the house as well as the dog.

If your flea and tick topical is over the counter, that would be your problem. The over the counter topicals don't work. I use Frontline Plus and highly recommend it. There are several others you can get at your vet's office that are wonderful as well.

Flea collars IMO don't do any good, and often can cause problems.

MissAmandasZoo · #4 12-30-2005, 03:34 PM

I have been using over the counter topical. i figured they weren't much different, but I'll go get Frontline. Spray is a good idea, I'll get some of that too.Thanx!

Chrisanne · #5 12-30-2005, 03:41 PM

The package on the OTC stuff makes them seem the same, but they totally aren't. Several of the OTC stuff has even been known to cause severe reactions in pets, some that even resulted in death of the pet.

We lived in Texas before, and never had fleas. Love the frontline. Don't forget the house though, or they'll keep coming back.

Keep us posted on your babies leg. Hope he feels better soon.

ikklegem · #6 12-31-2005, 08:43 AM

We use Frontline on the cat and it's excellent!

**Sasami** · #7 12-31-2005, 01:55 PM

I also recommend Frontline, it works very quickly

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Lovemysibs · #8 01-01-2006, 11:58 AM

i DO NOT recommend giving him a flea bath if hes on topical... i talked to a vet when i had flea problems and she said thats too much, a topical solution and flea bath, it could cause problems.... theres certain dishsoap that would work just as well

Mystic1231 · #9 01-13-2006, 06:55 PM

I see that everyone likes frontline products for fleas on cats and dogs. Well how do you feel about the product Zodiac for fleas and ticks? This product was once sold at the vets but now you can buy it OTC.