So Ellie, my Leo has been scratching for two months.

It was classic presentation for flea bite: itching at base of tail and forelegs. In the back of my mind I knew that. But the internal dialogue goes like this:

My dog can't have fleas.
None of them have never had fleas.
I don't see any fleas. (I didn't--ever. I looked, I combed, I inspected flecks with a magnifying glass.)
None of the other dogs is itching.
Must be an allergy. (tree pollen? I dunno.)

So after two months of dosing this dog with Benadryl, barely keeping the itching at bay, I finally broke down and gave her a flea shampoo and everybody got a dose of K9 Advantix. Washed her bedding (again)--I had done this several times during the two months.

Within 24 hours, no more itching. (bang head on wall.)

My dog had fleas. There, I said it.

Moral of the story: even if you don't see a flea, it's probably a flea.

BTW--I really struggled with the whole insecticide thing. I've never been entirely comfortable with those topical preventatives to kill and repel fleas. And yes, I tried the citrus stuff, and the cedar oil stuff first. I'm still not sure if I'll continue with the monthly application of insecticide. Thoughts? Opinions? Do you use products like Frontline or Advantix or one of the others? Every had any problems or second thougts about it?

We're also pretty paranoid about insecticides; and the kids hate it because they're not allowed to touch Darwin for a couple of days after the Advantix. But there's no doubt that the benefit outweighs the risk - here, in the summer, you can't escape the fleas. I'm surprised you never saw any, though. I'm of the opinion that with fleas, as with ticks, no matter what insecticide preparation you use, you still have to be prepared for manual removal.

We had an issue with fleas last summer. My poor Cairn Terrier has a terrible flea allergy and ended up with a bald butt (one bite is all it takes to send her into a tizzy). We never had an issue with her before and she is 14! Figured out she had them the day before we were getting a new puppy...then about 2 weeks later, we had a resurgence of them the day before I was getting my gallbladder out. I finally bought Advantage and dosed all four dogs. I will do the same this year to avoid the problem!

I would recommend continuing the treatment throughout the season just to protect against further infestation, hatching eggs, etc...

They are a pain in the hindquarters, to say the least.

I'm preparing myself for fleas and ticks this year (first year in a humid climate) and I dread the pesticide thing too. Has anyone ever used diatomaceous earth?

In the middle of January I had the same issue. Missy biting her rump like crazy. I put topical benedryl on but it persisted. She has allergy issues, the other dogs were fine and it was the middle of January (freezing cold and snow outside) so fleas were not at all on my mind. Until I was putting benedryl on yet again and I saw one! Oh my.

Put flea stuff on the dogs, treated the carpets, etc. No more itchy dog. Amazing.

I have never used the D.E. on the dog, but I will take it outside to put on our emerging fire ant piles.

The thing with D. E. is that the powder if both messy as well as very drying to the skin. But if you don't mind dealing with those issues, I am told it works very well.

The thing is though it is not a quick fix as are the chemicals, and only work on the existing fleas, and it has to make physical contact to work, plus it works by cutting the exoskeleton of the bug, and then it eventually dies.

One thing that I know is beneficial is to treat the yard with a dose of beneficial nematodes. You can get them in many garden stores, especially the ones that carry organic treatments.
It is really smart to treat the yard as well so you can prevent further or continuing infestations.

Tracy, try treating your yard with the nematodes it should help a lot with keeping the fleas at bay around your home.
There is still the issue with outings like walks etc.
But a lot can be said for keeping the little buggers off your property.

My position on these new insecticides used for flea control is that they are miraculous inventions that relieve suffering.
Perhaps you have to have nearly killed animals bathing them in organophosphates
and seen those effects to appreciate the mild side effects and tremendous efficacy of these new chemicals.

My position is similar. Fleas are bad. If a dog is hypersensitive (and Tracy, sounds like one of yours is), fleas are AWFUL. And it can only get worse.

So my experience with allergic dogs has completely changed my POV about applying the chemicals. Completely. I am no user of unnecessary chems or fake foods or overmedicating, but a dog with flea bite dermatitis (flea hypersensitivity, flea-saliva allergy ... many names) is, IMO, going to benefit.

It doesn't take the place of the constant vacuuming and dog-mat laundering for a while, but it does up the success speed exponentially.

JMO, and I know it's not universal. Strictly MHO.


eta
I do NOT mean the Hartz crap or any of that ilk. I would never buy any Hartz product, ever.

I mean Advantage, Frontline, etc.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/20/2011 01:16 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: Tracy Collins

My dog can't have fleas.
None of them have never had fleas.
I don't see any fleas. (I didn't--ever. I looked, I combed, I inspected flecks with a magnifying glass.)
None of the other dogs is itching.
Must be an allergy. (tree pollen? I dunno.)

My dog had fleas. There, I said it.

Moral of the story: even if you don't see a flea, it's probably a flea.

You are SO not alone!!!