Hi All,

So my 8 month old lab mix pup has fleas. I live in a city, but there are some patches of grass around, as well as a doggie park nearby. My pup has been spending time at another place more in the burbs, and that house has an outdoor cat as well. We use Frontline on the cat, but still find fleas when we give him the occaisional flea combing.

So, for the pooch we first tried BioSpot drops for his neck & hindquarters. They could be considered off brand, but we were trying to be cheap. We also supplemented it with a flea/tick collar because we were going hiking that day.

30 days came and went, and we weren’t overly concerned. We did still notice fleas–we figured it was because it was cheaper than, say, Frontline. We were in a pinch, so we did another 30 day dose.

Near the end of the 30 day run, we got some flea shampoo. I can’t recall the brand, but I know I got it from a PetSmart that didn’t have a vet sponsoring it. We gave him another shampooing a few days later (a bit earlier than the recommended 7-10 period) and still noticed fleas within a short period.

A neighbor in the burbs with a similar dog recommended K9 Advantix, saying that his dog is flea/tick free & his dog arguably spends more time in a wooded/grassy area. Reading the packaging for K9 Advantix revealed an abundance of warnings for killing cats (more so than BioSpot).

So we broke down and got some Frontline for his next dose…also overlapping the shampooing & the last day or so of the BioSpot dose. We figured it was okay since he still had fleas.

Well he definately has less fleas on him now…maybe 4-5 instead of closer to 7-10+. Still though, this doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve had dogs in the past (albeit with less outdoorsy exposure) and never even seen a flea. I feel so bad when I see him chomping away at his fur. We noticed that the base of his tail had a small hairless patch and read that it may be due to allergies to the fleas.

Help! How can we accomplish his fleadom (keep in mind the outdoor cat)?

Thanks in advance,

Flea-Ridden Owner

I have many allergies and was tested years ago on my back for various things. I have food, pet, indoor, outdoor allergies. Pretty much everything. But my husband wants a dog, and I really would like to get a german sheperd. Can the doctor test me for that specific type of dog? Hanging out with one would be another alternative, I know, but I was just curious if this option is available.

I”ve taken my dog to the vet multiple times for itching and he said she has flea allergies. Even if only one flea gets on her, her entire body can become irritated. Last time, I spent $ 250 at the vet! But she doesn’t have any allergies besides fleas. Well, went on vacation and left her with the inlaws, came home, and there were a few fleas on her. We got rid of all the fleas with frontline and have been checking daliy. They have been gone for 4 days but she is still itching like crazy! Scratching all night and her back is sooo sensitive. What can I do to get her feeling better without going back to the vet??? (The itch relieving shampoo hasn’t worked.)