At wits end over fleas

Lightwingcreations · 06-23-2007, 02:32 PM

Hi all, I am having a big problem with fleas. This is part rant, part looking for help on how to deal with this.
Ok, my neighbors have 3 dogs that are left outside all of the time and are very rarely visited by their humans. These poor dogs are infested with fleas to such a point that they have large open sores on their body and are constantly itching. The youngest puppy (yes they have two unrelated puppies for some reason) doesn't seem to be growing like it should and I imagine it is because of poor nutrition as well as being swamped by the blood-sucking fleas. Another thing is that the area I live in has lots and lots of trees in peoples yards which home squirrels galore. And to top it off there are some ferel cats in the area who traverse all of the yards (probably spreading the wealth of fleas). Just to round it out I live in the south and we really didn't get much of a reprieve from the fleas due to a mild winter. So, I can blame the mild winter, squirrels, ferel cats, and negligant neighbor for such horrible fleas. I have been using Frontline on both dogs, but am still finding fleas which mean there are many more that I don't see, and my dogs are still itching.
I recently switched my dogs to RAW food in the hopes of combating fleas, as everywhere I look holistic sites are saying that when you feed optimal food to dogs they are healthier, have a better immune system and are not prone to flea problems. Is this just hogwash? I have only been feeding RAW for 3 weeks, so they are still new to it. They both seem very happy on the new diet and my older dog has shown definite signs of improvement over the last few weeks.
So I want your opinions. Are the odds too stacked against me on the flea battle? Do you think I can ever expect to not have a flea problem all things considered?
I really hate using the Frontline on them because the package states to not get it on your (human) skin and if you do, go wash it off immediately. If it's that bad for us, what does it do to them? I'm really frustrated about this whole situation as I've been trying to find plausible methods of treating my house, yard and dogs in such a way that I'm not poisoning everything. Oh yeah, and I do use DE also.

Any and all suggestions are welcomed and wanted!

HELP!

p.s. sorry it's so long

peace36 · 06-23-2007, 08:22 PM

Maybe you could report your neighbors to the SPCA? Even if there is not enough of a problem for them to take the dogs away at least they will know they are being watched and maybe that will be enough for them to take better care of their dogs.

I use frontline on my dogs and have no flea problem or any side effect problems either. I have never met anyone who used it and had any problems.

Renoman · 06-23-2007, 08:40 PM

I agree, report the neighbors. Then, I would think about using either Advantage or K9 Advantix. Advantage and k9 Advantix will kill fleas within 24 hours. Advantage is only effective against fleas. K9 Advantix is effective against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes.

Inga · 06-23-2007, 08:53 PM

Yes, report them. Yuck! Those flees are actually sucking the life right out of those poor dogs. I had to pick up a few dead dogs a few weeks ago that literally died from anemia due to flees and ticks. I hate bugs. I can't even imagine how it must feel to be crawling with these disgusting creatures and not be able to do anything about it. The poor things are probably going insane with itching. I am sorry, but Frontline has to be better than death by bugs.

Lightwingcreations · 06-23-2007, 09:12 PM

Well, I did call the local animal control on them last summer because one of their dogs was emaciated, the other was fine (she disappeared not long after animal control came out). I guess I should go ahead and call animal control again. Fleas aren't the only problem with the neighbors yard and dogs. For over a month now the flies have been horrible and the point of origin is the neighbors yard: they don't pick up after the dogs. The neighbor was even complaining about it to me.
Well, I am already using Frontline, but that doesn't seem to be controlling it on my dogs. I just don't know what to do about the whole thing.

Inga · 06-23-2007, 09:23 PM

Actually call the police. It is a public safety issue if there is that much poo in the back yard. That will be taken care of by police! OOPS, I shouldn't say that, I don't know where you live what the codes are. Here the person would be in big doo doo. More than there yard contains. I'd try the police if I were you. Good Luck!

ScienceTeacher · 06-23-2007, 11:39 PM

use KITTENSAFE. it is safe, effective and very affordable. you may have to treat your yard for 20 feet around house with Black Flag or other powerful insect killer.

luv4gsds · 06-24-2007, 09:41 AM

More then likely you have fleas in your yard I would treat your yard with a pet friendly pesticide to help get rid of the fleas. Do you have fleas in your home? If you do you can buy those flea traps the ones that have the light, those are great. As for your dogs you can buy neem shampoo to help with the fleas, there is also a spray out. You also can buy the pure neem oil and make your own flea shampoo and spray.

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...oo/121021.aspx

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...ay/121022.aspx

Elijah · 06-24-2007, 11:31 AM

See my post below. Both Nematodes for the yard and Fleabusters Rx is a great method of keeping them out of the yard (consequently, your dog) and out of the house.

http://www.dogforums.com/13-dog-heal...sky-fleas.html (Pesky Fleas)

http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/sea...ea-tick-powder

Lightwingcreations · 06-24-2007, 02:12 PM

Thanks for all the info. I forget to say that I did apply nematodes to my yard about 2 months ago. Also I am using the DE inside the house. I had been looking at Neem oil and think I will have to order some of that to apply to the dogs coats.

For any of you that have used Neem oil, tell me how you've used it (what type of application) and how well your dogs received it, as well as how you thought it worked. Share!

luv4gsds · 06-24-2007, 02:57 PM

Well I have been using Neem Oil for many years now and it has been working great. I also use it on my flowers, trees, fruits and veggies as a pet friendly pesticide and I make a bug spray for my family with it also. Pure Neem oil does have smell all its own.

http://www.organeem.com/neem_tree.html