Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Angela Burrell

.... The problem was, my dogs didn't actually have fleas; the neighbor's cats did, and the fleas were in my yard biting them whenever they went outside. They weren't in the house because I was vacuuming all the time, brushing the dogs, washing their beds in hot water and treating the home.

How did you find out? What a nightmare for you (and the dogs)! Did you end up finding out by treating for fleas to see what would happen?

I ended up taking my female (the worst one) to the vet. She found a teeny rash/hotspot right behind her shoulder blades and said that was a common outlet for excess heat generated by allergies (she practises Chinese medicine as well as allopathic). She also found a bit of rash/inflammantion on her belly and was sure it was fleas and looked at her under good light and found a teensy bit of flea dirt. Aha!

I had looked for fleas several times, even combing them over white paper and everything and never found so much as dirt. The vet (and Connie) told me that if I had an allergic dog, all it takes is one little bite for her to flare up.

Later my neighbour told me that she had evicted the tenants in the basement apartment because their cats had fleas (neighbour breeds dogs and cats and runs a grooming business from her home).

It made perfect sense (that the fleas were coming into my yard via someone's cats) because every other time I had a flea infestation in my home, I would do a thorough cleaning/vacuuming/washing/bleaching routine including flea baths for all the dogs and that would be the end of it. This time I did my cleaning routine weekly for months and the itching continued and I never did see any actual fleas, not even dead ones in the tub. Because the fleas were outside.

And yes, flea collars (the dogs wore when they were outside) did help!

I think that's the hard thing - even with flea protection, the dogs can still get bit before the fleas die, and that can cause a lot of bad reactions to the skin - especially in an allergy prone dog.

So my question becomes - Is there a way to help repel the fleas they come in contact with on walks, etc, in addition to the Frontline that kills them once they jump on? The derma vet doesn't really like spraying flea spray on them at the same time as using Frontline or Advantage - a lot of chemicals.

In my area, advantix doesn't do much, and my vet HAS seen alot of immunity to frontline and frontline plus. Everyone's on comfortis now. I was so happy for last Sunday to arrive, my 2 pups were finally old enough to get it. Flea baths, frontline, capstar, nothing was helping. Same as you, never saw them, even after bathing, but constantly itching. Finally had to dump tons of chemicals in the yard to kill them off (have alot of rabbits and squirrels on my property). Did advantage and comfortis (staggered couple wks apart)

Hi Lori,
I was just reading through this thread, because I have been having itching problems with my dogs. In an effort to avoid the chemicals and also hearing that Frontline is showing an increase in ineffectiveness, I have just started to use the "Best Yet" cedar oil spray with some success.
http://www.cedarcidestore.com

However, it must be reapplied every couple days to sustain the repellent abilities the cedar oil has.
My problem was that one night I went out without it, and I had bathed the dogs the day before! Now my oldest GSD has been itching worse, and has the bumps back! I feel to blame because I had forgotten to reapply it!
But, I will say that they have not shown any negative side effects from the "Best Yet" which is a good thing.
I have yet been in to see a derm vet, but now I will make sure that I do not forget to reapply, as I do suspect she may have a flea bite sensitivity.
I was just going to suggest that you could try a repellent product in addition to what you are already doing with the Frontline. It may help. Just my 2 cents!

Joyce, thanks for the heads up on that. My problem with that is that cedar is one of the things that Kasey tested positive for on the skin tests done by the derma vet! So I can't put that on him without risking him having an allergic reaction to it. The derma vet says they see quite a few reactions to cedar oil on dogs! I just can't win with this dog!! Good thing he's worth all the trouble!

Oh Lori, I feel your frustration, as it is mine as well.
I am heading towards needing to get in with a derm vet because I need to know what the allergens are exactly with my one dog.

We just don't have the money right now, or I would have been there several weeks ago.

Have you tried "catnip oil" before? I have heard some positive things about that as well. Just trying to think of possible alternatives for you.

I know that there is no question that we all do what ever we can to provide the best care possible for our beloved animals.
In your case, with a flea bite sensitivity, you are put into a corner with treatment/prevention.

I could be finding myself in your shoes once we get into the derm vet and can get the intradermal testing.
I do suspect mine has a flea bite hypersensitivity as well.

Yup, it is very frustrating. I feel very bad for Kasey, and I also get sooo tired of watching and hearing him bite himself!! You do all you can, and they still itch sometimes!

I'm sorry you can't get to the derma vet yet. It has helped me mentally! I don't have to be the one in charge anymore - I don't have to try and figure out why he's itching. I don't have to keep guessing about whether it's food or not either - which has taken a big load off my shoulders! So even though he's not had relief from the allergy shots yet, it's relieved me of thinking! I hope you will be able to do it soon. I found it was about $800 for the evaluation, skin testing and first viles of serum. Maybe you could just do the evaluation? - just by looking they can often tell if it's fleas, environment or the occassional food allergy. If they think it's environmental then they could help you manage it until you can afford the testing. Just a suggestion!

Those are good suggestions, and maybe we will have to do that.
I need to find a good derm vet and since I have been having issues with my regular vet, I am needing to search for a derm vet I can trust.
If we have to spend a small fortune, then I want to make sure it is with someone that I can at trust.

I can totally relate to everything you said about hating to see and hear them bite and chew themselves up, frustrating indeed.
Great suggestions, I will get an appointment in a couple weeks when I know we will have the money and get started figuring it all out, because it is making me so stressed out!
Thanks Lori!

Good luck, and let me know how it goes - you can PM me if you want to compare notes on our vets. I've actually about a place in Dallas if you want to check it out - I have a friend who lives there and heard about it. Here's their website:
http://www.dermvets.com/index.html

Thanks so much Lori! This will help tremendously! Really, thanks a ton!
I will pm you for sure and let you know what happens!