Greys and Fleas

[jamesinnorfolk]

Hi all,

Hope everyone's well. I used to post here a while back but haven't for a while. Proud owner of the lovely Amber, 8 year old brindle girl -




In the past we've kept up with her Frontline treatments on a regular basis and never had an issue with fleas. Nothings changed in regards to that but in the last couple of months she seems to have fleas that she just can't shift. We wash and treat her bedding and surrounding areas again and again, have treated her with Frontline twice in the last month but nothing seems to shift them. They see to be congregating between her thighs and behind ears. Odd thing is, in the past I have never been able to catch any, but now I can usually pick the odd one off when I spot it, but even that doesn't seem to help.

Breaks my heart to see her afflicted and my ankles are shredded!

Any ideas? How can I help her and rid her of these 'orrible little buggers.

Thanks in advance friends.

[alexandsteve]

Try a flea treatment such as Advocate or advantage from the vets, or seek there advice xxx

[gazer]

I have started using Stronghold, you do need a script for it tho' so either buy a script from your vet and get it online or direct from the vet.
I have heard people say recently that Frontline doesn't seem to be as effective anymore so maybe it is time to change to something else.
Possibly have a chat with the vet first and check all is ok.

[vickyb]

 I use indorex spray under the furniture, along the skirting boards and the base of the dog beds while the dogs are outside and then go for a walk to let it air off when I've done it. It doesn't smell too bad. You are then supposed to vacuum thoroughly daily I think for about about 7 days. Apparently the vibrations encourge the eggs to hatch.
I've heard people say that frontline isn't so effective anymore too so tend to use Advocate -it does lungworm too just to be on the safe side. As said previously Stronghold is also very effective, I just hate the smell and it turned all our dog beds red last time so if you do use that I'd put something old and easy to wash where she lays and sleeps and I now put spot ons on immediately before a walk so they dry off before they lie down.
Good luck!

[Nettie]

I've also heard that Frontline is not as effective as it used to be. Seresto collars are effective against fleas and ticks, cost about £25 and last for 8-9 months. They are also prescription only. An English vet practicing here in France has been using them on all her dogs since the collars came out about 3 years ago and says they are particularly effective against ticks which are the biggest bane of one's life living in SW France, she also hasn't had any fleas either.

[jamesinnorfolk]

Thank you so much for all your kind replies.

Seems the general consensus is to try something else rather than Frontline. I'll look into that and definitely try one of them.

Will look into the collars too, ta.

And thanks Vicky for the hoovering advice.

You guys all rock

[jamesinnorfolk]

Right, just ordered some Advocate online.

[ritab]

I thought flea collars were harmful to greyhounds - advised not to use them. Is that correct?

[jamesinnorfolk]

Hmmm, Ritab, thanks for that, you may well be right!

allstargreyhounds.org/About.htm

www.helpinggreyhounds.org/faq.php

uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091208133909AAwx7hi

www.greyhounduniverse.com/medical.htm

[Cath]

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything over the counter. The Seresto collars Nettie talks about are prescription only so if in doubt have a chat to your vet about it- they'll know more about your dog and flea collars than you'll pick up on-line

[jamesinnorfolk]

Hey all,

Hope everyone is well.

just an update. I ordered Advocate online. I used it on Saturday, now Wednesday. I hovered thoroughly, about 4 times getting in all the nooks and crannies. Threw away some old bedding and washed at high temperature the remaining bedding. Threw away various cuddly toys (don't hate me lol!). I then sprayed all areas around her beds with Skoosh flea spray. then I hovered again, washed bedding again and sprayed again.

And now? everything seems fine. She's not scratching and neither are we and haven't found any on her. So yeah, seems good! Very pleased. I will also brush her daily.

Does anyone have any ongoing tips to keep fleas away? Don't wanna put her, and us, all through this again!


Many thanks all.

[vickyb]

CSJ sell Billy no mates which is supposed to make their blood unattractive to fleas but can't say I've tried it. Some add garlic capsules to their food which is supposed to do the same but again I've not tried it and aren't sure what a safe dose would be as Garlic itself is dangerous if fed to dogs.

[vickyb]

CSJ sell Billy no mates which is supposed to make their blood unattractive to fleas but can't say I've tried it. Some add garlic capsules to their food which is supposed to do the same but again I've not tried it and aren't sure what a safe dose would be as Garlic itself is dangerous if fed to dogs.

[jamesinnorfolk]

Thanks Vicky, interesting. Will look into Billy No Mates but don't think I'll risk using the garlic.

It's funny she's troubled by fleas because she never has any contact with any other dogs at all (grumpy girl).

[vickyb]

Are there cats that come in your garden? It's often cat fleas that are the problem - they're not choosy and will happily munch on dogs.