[ellessee]

I have a shihtzu bichon mix (or so we think) and it is constantly scratching, biting, itching itself. I finally did determine even after using Advantix II that he has fleas near the back of him. Not a lot, but he does... Gave him a flea bath, 5 dead ones in the bath, but he is still scratching, itching and biting himself. I sprayed the house with all natural peppermint/clove stuff from petco. Didn't want to do the heavy duty stuff, if I didn't have to... but... if I have to, then... I will. Prior to flea bath, I took off about 3, and after flea bath, found one live one that was more fiesty than the other 3 original ones I took off.

Suggestions... Help... I really want to help this little guy he's only 5 months old, soon to be 6 months and I love him to pieces - he's my first pet ever... Will this always be a battle for him and me? So I get an etxerminator for the house? Then take him to a vet and have him dipped or something? I don't know... Help...

 

[juliemule]

I have all of mine on comfortis because the frontline plus and advantage multi didn't work. There is a pill called capstar you can give to kill what's on him right now, but it doesn't last.

The topicals usually work, if given enough time, and you understand fleas life cycles. Also, if he is being re-infested, it takes a little time to kill the ones he picks up, but shouldn't have time to reproduce. Treating your home and yard may help, but they must have a host, so even what hatches in the house should die before able to reproduce, meaning in a few months there should be no fleas.

 

[hanksimon]

I have a similar problem with Frontline Plus, b/c it does not repel fleas, only kills them, so I think the fleas have to bite the dog to get poisoned... for the first part of the cycle. I have not tried Advantix II yet... But we do have fleas in the yard (only from him, I believe)... and this is the worst it has been in 10 years. This is the 3rd month in the cycle of treatment, so I hope I get rid of the last ones...

 

[Amaryllis]

This has been the worst summer for fleas. I had to switch topicals because it stopped working, the same topical that worked for Muggsy for over a decade. You may want to try the pills from the vet. If kabota doesn't stop itching by tomorrow, I'm calling mine.

 

[lovejc]

I would recommend bathing him with a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar. Make sure not to get it in the dogs eyes! Rinse of and then dry off, then when the dog is dry put 50/50 solution of ACV in a spray bottle and spray all over coat. This should help. Good luck!

 

[juliemule]

This has been the worst summer for fleas. I had to switch topicals because it stopped working, the same topical that worked for Muggsy for over a decade. You may want to try the pills from the vet. If kabota doesn't stop itching by tomorrow, I'm calling mine.

Agree! I always used frontline or advantage. Switched to pills just for convenience, but with the pregnant bitch the pills aren't safe. I was shocked, as I have never had more than an occasional flea on the dogs, but they became infested in no time using the topicals!

 

[mashlee08]

He might still be itching because he has an allergy to flea dander or flea saliva protein. Pretty common and all it really takes is your dog to get bit once for them to scratch like mad. So even after all the fleas are gone it will still be itchy because they already got bit. Typical areas are in the crotch and the back of the hind legs and armpits. Check the skin for redness and rashes.