Michaele, I guess your dog has a thick coat? Not the short-haired cutie in your avatar? I was able to control fleas on my dog using only a fine-tooth flea comb if she wasn't around other infested animals or homes that would re-infest her. Her coat was medium length, about like a Lab's. I heard good things about Comfortis but never felt right about using systemics on her. I got pretty good at using the comb, the fleas seemed to concentrate mostly around the back of her thighs and crotch. Even a single flea would drive her nuts, and I could always rely on her chewing as a signal she had new passengers. She was a fairly patient animal, some will resist the process pretty strongly, most will learn to relax and eventually appreciate the relief when you're done. Probably not practical with a thick-furred Husky type though. Easy on shiny coat short-hair dogs. Yes it's a chore, but IMO well worth it with the right kind of coat.

I've also heard that simply immersing a dog in water will kill fleas. I tried this with one of my sister's long-haired small dogs. I used a warm-water soak in a large bucket and immersed her body for about twenty minutes and kept her comfortable as possible through the process. Seemed to work okay, though I don't think she was real keen on being kept in the bath. Maybe your dog likes to swim and wouldn't require a dunk?

-- Edited by MikeH on Friday 7th of August 2015 04:56:22 PM

Hi Tess, Ive always used blue Dawn on the cats and puppies , but I wanted to do the oatmeal flea shampoo because she was in such distress. Next time I'll go with the Dawn. I used the drops,  but Im starting to think oral would be better because I would know she got the entire dose , sometimes when I use the drops her fur gets powdery streaks, despite the fact that I am careful to get it on the skin. Hope you doing well. Thanks for heads up.  Cheers  Michaele

Thanks Groupergetter , the dog is a  45lb lab/husky mix so I have to get dose for large dog . Ive heard of Comfortis, I think the vet gave her one in the office last time this happened last yr. And it is expensive, Ive got 1 tube of Avantik II to use today, but maybe I'll change brands..... Michaele

Just wanted to pass along a tip.  When I asked my vet's assistant for suggestions on flea baths she said that giving a bath with blue Dawn dish detergent works as well as any.  I guess it has to be the "blue" Dawn, which is good for so many things (think oil spills and the poor wildlife).  I've been using it for a couple of years whenever we give a bath and also use the drops once a month with good results.  It's probably not 100% effective but thought I'd mention it as a relatively safe thing to try. 

I'm cautious about the chemicals since a friend's dog had serious complications after she used multiple flea treatments at one time (I think it was a chemical bath and drops) which must have interacted, and sadly the dog ended up with neurological problems.

Good luck Michaele at the vet tomorrow.  I hope your pup feels better soon!

Best,

Tess

-- Edited by Tess on Saturday 1st of August 2015 03:16:55 AM

Michaele, my mother's dog (now mine) is allergic to fleas.  She had terrible skin problems.  We tried every type of shampoo etc.  Comfortis is the hot tip. Even though expensive, it does work.  Not sure how much your dog weighs but if you can get a 6 month supply of a this pill for larger dogs then split in half or thirds it will save you.  Also you may want to ask the vet to write you a script for the med.  Not sure about your vet but I can buy what my vet prescribed online for significantly less.  Check the online prices before going to the vet.  The oatmeal shampoos do give some relief there are also good medicated shampoos I've bought on Amazon for a decent price.    Good luck with it.

Thanks Tig , I taked to vet and she goes in @ 7:30AM . Hope your doing well . Michaele

I had cats for most of my adult life until fairly recently and fleas were usually a problem during the hot weather.  Fleas can multiply and get out of hand very quickly if they`re not kept under control, and you`re doing absolutely the right thing by treating your dog with the flea bath, Michaele.   I always used to wear disposable plastic gloves when applying flea treatments. 

I think it`s a good idea to take her to the vets if she`s in a lot of discomfort from the bites, hope she feels some relief soon. 

Hope you`re doing well. 

Hi Michaele,

i'm sorry your baby is suffering like that. That is so uncomfortable and is just a miserable time for them. I have an article from the Veterinary Merck Manual that may shed some light on this. I can personally relate to the misery. I have terrible reactions to flea bites. Living in the sandy south, we have our fair share too. By controlling them in the yard, and an initial inside treatment, we have eliminated the problem. i also agree that gloves are a good idea for repeat or prolonged exposure to those pesticides. Good luck...

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/integumentary_system/fleas_and_flea_allergy_dermatitis/flea_allergy_dermatitis.html

Thanks Cinnamon, I used gloves and the poor dog may need to go to the vet. I think she is allergic to the bites .  Michaele

Hi Michaele,

I don`t have a dog but I think it would be a very sensible precaution to wear protective gloves when applying chemical flea products.  A certain amount would be quite definitely be absorbed through your skin otherwise over the course of a 5 minutes massage. 

Good to hear you`re up to doing it yourself now. 

I hope everyone is doing well . Just wondered if anyone wears gloves when they wash their dog. Its a heavy flea summer in Eastern NC. The drops arent working well, and dog needs an oatmeal flea bath. I didnt use gloves last time but now I wonder ; how much of the chemical use to treat fleas will I absorb through skin if Im massaging it on the dog for five minutes ? Glad to have the energy to do it myself.    Cheers ........ Michaele