We had our Derm Vet appointment yesterday and all went well, she went through the food and elimination diets, home cooked meals and like everyone said here least likely. I mentioned raw and she was not for it because of Salmonella poisoning, I just bit my tongue and didn't argue about my opinion about kibble and Sal with the obvious sponsored Royal Canine bags stacked around the office.

Talked about the wide range of environmental allergy possibility's and the procedure of blood and skin testing ranging around $400-$800 to find what she might be allergic too and injections, more $$$.

The most likely thing probably flea related especially with my GF's 3 other cats come to find out not on anything worthy to help fleas. She mentioned what Connie said about fleas going for cats more so than dogs and my GF needed to hear this and all this about flea related stuff from the DV because no matter how blue my face got explaining fleas it didn't sink in.

Bottom line she wants us to first focus on flea control, putting cats on advantage or advantix I can't remember, waitAdvantix is bad for cats right, also wants us to change to comfortis for Zoey but I'll tell you I'm not comfortable with that because of possible side affects I've read about and some have claimed even death?

We did get sent home with a steroid pill to ease the itching I cant remember the name of it. She complemented how incredible Zoey's coat was, soft, clean and orderless, even after she rolled in a few day old rabbit remains the day before, and her clean ears not what shes used to I guess.

Sorry I don't think Connie said that about fleas going for cats over dogs?

Cats are flea magnets, despite their constant grooming. And most fleas on dogs are actually cat fleas.
If your dog has a lovely coat fleas and possible allergy to their bites would be a likely source of the itchies. Eliminating fleas is easy if you treat all the pets in the home with something that works for just a few months---after that you can likely go to more "homeopathic" type remedies and get by.

There are flea meds especially for cats.

I hate to say I told you so, but we really really pushed for the white sheet flea test, and not immediately after a bath!

"The most likely thing probably flea related especially with my GF's 3 other cats come to find out not on anything worthy to help fleas .... Bottom line she wants us to first focus on flea control."

Good derm vet.

The fact is that Ctenocephalides felis ("cat fleas") are the most common on both dogs and cats. "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" explains that these are the most common flea to infest dogs. They are also found on humans, rodents, rabbits, cattle, and some birds. There is a dog flea, the one I mentioned in a PM, called Ctenocephalides canis. But cat fleas are actually more likely to be the ones bothering your dog.

Cats with fleas are supplying a fresh batch to the poor dog all the time. Flea prevention on the dog is half of the job. The other half is the house and the other animals.

I see Betty was posting while I was typing.

Excerpts from this thread:


Even if you don't see fleas it is the most likely possibility. (Elaine)

Do you know the white sheet test? (Me)

In this case, where I'm reading such classic flea symptoms, I would start with a white sheet test and post back, because it may well be that we can lead you through flea eradication. Also, I'd get right on it. (Me)

Brush the dog thoroughly while she's standing on a big white sheet. Drop a tiny drop of water on a speck of flea pepper. It will turn red. (Flea dirt is your dog's dried blood.) (Me)

You describe classic flea infestation. (Me)

What happened with this? (Me, meaning white sheet test)

I didn't have a white sheet or any thing even close so I went to Target to get one and when I was running arens Zoey ended up getting a bath by the GF. (You)

The most likely thing probably flea related (Derm vet)

I'm just hoping someone else reads this. Also, the thread called "If you see scratching, think flea" by Tracey Collins:
http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=29702&page=1

It was methylpred medrol tabs for the itching.


Even though I have only seen 2 fleas in 4 years on Zoey I've always thought it was drive by flea bites causing the itching and finding out the cats were not on any flea meds I have to believe there are some there.

I have been wanting to find some fleas as crazy as that sounds so I could say "I knew it see I told you so" something like that.


I am going to try Diatomaceous Earth on the carpets but I'm getting conflicting info on if you should let pets back in the house while its still on/in the carpets for up to a day or 2.

Some have said it's OK to put on your pet but I found some say do not put it on your pet because it is so drying to the skin and can irritate your eyes nose and mouth and to where eye protection, mask and gloves so it would then possibly irritate your dogs eyes and nose.

Any experienced DE users?


A good thing is the GF is now understanding that I'm not crazy because I would say that we should vacuum every day to help.

"A good thing is the GF is now understanding that I'm not crazy because I would say that we should vacuum every day to help."


Maybe it WAS worth the derm vet trip.


And empty the bag outside, into the outdoor trash .... and launder cat and dog beds at the same time. There's a lot more in the thread I linked above from Tracey.

"It was methylpred medrol tabs for the itching. "

This is a short-term cycle-breaker to give you a bit of time to de-flea. Removing the fleas is Job One, I'm sure you know.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

.... I hate to say I told you so ....

BTW, Joe is a friend. In case anyone thought I was being snide on purpose .... I was.