Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:09:21 -0400
From: vinitslrn
Subject: Fleas…..a big thank you and feedback
[picappgallerysingle id=”7240367″]I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my flea plea.
I received at least 25 responses, and all were helpful.
For the benefit of all, I wanted to share some info.
Borax and food grade diatomaceous earth spread on the lawn is helpful. If not, some other application to kill the fleas outside is a necessary part of treating the problem.
Borax in the house under all furniture, everywhere the dogs sleep, in the carpets, under the cushions of chairs/couches and along base boards is also very effective. I left it down for 24 hours, then vacuumed. I also immediately empty the vacuum canister and throw the bag in the outside trash. I continue to vacuum everyday. Washing the dogs with any type of shampoo kills what is on them at the time if you leave the lather on to drown the fleas. My niece thinks the fleas hold their breath, so leave the lather on for a few minutes! Wash all bedding in hot water….often.
I also tried essential oils added to a spray bottle of body spray. Citronella, Cedar wood and lemon eucalyptus seemed to aggravate the fleas, plus the dogs smelled nice. Some people recommended placing those types of essential oils onto a nylon collar, but I didn’t try that…….yet.
After all this, I noticed a definite improvement, but the fleas were still there. Maybe it would have gotten better in time, but I broke down and bought Advantix. I place it on all 3 German Shepherds, and it seems to have worked, and they are fine. However, I split a small dog dose between my 2 little dogs at 4pm on Friday. I woke up at 2:30am with my little Yorkie having a seizure. She was thrashing and was incontinent of urine. After the seizure, I picked her up, she couldn’t focus and her head kept swinging around. When I put her down, she fell over. She vomited as well. I called the emergency vet in Cary that said to wash her with Dawn and bring her in. We did that and headed to Cary at 3am. The dog recovered quickly after that, and we actually turned back and never went to the vet. She seems fine now, but, I am never using that topical stuff again. I called Bayer, who makes Advantix, and they said it couldn’t be the Advantix because Advantix couldn’t do that. I told him I would expect him to say that, but it is what it is.
There was another product recommended called Cedarcide which looks good, but a little pricey, and I’ve already spent quite a bit on what I’ve tried. However, it is another option. It is available on line. The Diatomaceous earth is available at Southern States in Pboro for a fraction of what it costs on line when you have to pay for shipping. Shop Local! Borax is at WalMart.
I think that’s all of it, and again I thank everyone for their help. Viva la Chatlist!
Vini