My dog has fleas-advice?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My little shitzu came down with fleas a month or so ago. She was a new dog for us, and quite honestly, I had forgotten that dogs get fleas, so I hadn’t done anything to prevent them. :smack:
Anyhow, my previous dog was an 80lb black lab. I used to put that liquid down his back to prevent fleas. I used the Hertz brand, and it worked great (this stuff). Everyone I talked to said that the Hertz stuff was crap, but he never got any fleas, but then again, he didn’t have any to start with. When our new dog got fleas, I went out and bought Bio-spot. I put it on her, but it didn’t kill the fleas. Hmm, I thought. Maybe I’ll ask the vet. Well, the lady at the vet’s office told me that neither of the two products that I had used was any good (although the Hertz had worked fine for me before), I should use Frontline, which they just happen to sell at the vet’s office, and only at the vet’s office. Hmm again I thought.

See, here’s the thing. We’ve aggressively attacked the fleas with shampoo and dip. They are mostly gone, and it’s been long enough that we can put the liquid drops on her again, but I don’t know which ones to use. Hertz worked fine for me before, but everyone says it’s crap. Bio-Spot was recommended by the folks at the pet store, but it didn’t kill all the fleas a month ago (which might have been because they were too many of them. Now that she’s clean, all I care about is that she stay flea free) The vet’s office says Frontline, but since it’s only available at the vet’s office, and by the way costs four times what the other ones cost, I’m just not sure I trust the recommendation. Can anyone give me the benefit of your hard won experiences?

2

Sorry, man, but I agree with your vet re: Frontline. It basically kills fleas before they get a chance to bite - hell, most of the time they stay on the outside of the coat rather than digging in because of the Frontline. It also kills the eggs (should any get on your dogs coat) and therefore prevents an infestation at your house.

I’ve tried everything else too - I tried the over the counter stuff and the other stuff (like Revolutions - which by the way is MORE expensive than Frontline). And Frontline is the fastest-acting and the most-effective.

It’s totally worth it too - because many dogs have a flea allergy which can cause things like serious itching and hair loss. You don’t want anything like that.

By the way, while I’m on the subject - make sure that your little doggie has had her heartworm medication. I’ve seen a dog die of heartworms and it’s BAD. Plus, since you have a smaller dog - she basically has no chance if she contracts heartworms. A larger dog (like your old lab) might have a chance with an aggressive treatment (post-infection) but your little dog is screwed. Don’t take that chance.

3

I can’t evaluate the products you used because I use Advantage and Program with the cats (Program is a mix-in that work for two of the cats; the othger one is a fussy eater so she gets the back-of-the-neck goo.

You can buy Frontline, Advantage, and other good anti-flea products at http://www.1800petmeds.com/ . You can also phone them. I’ve been pretty happy with their service.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t already, clean all the dog’s bedding and the rugs with a flea-killing product.

4

Have you considered tuning a ukelele?