This is an update for anyone interested and I wasn't sure exactly which category to put it.

I finally got my dog her rabies shot today. I asked the vet if that was a three year rabies and he asked did I want that one. I said I thought they all came out of the same thing. He looked puzzled and then said yes, they do, but the state of KY requires yearly rabies vax. He told me next year to mention that she was sluggish after the vax and then indicated that they would let it slide.

I also ask him his opinion of natural/raw feeding. Another puzzled look. But, at least, he didn't denigrate this type feeding. (I have dreaded this conversation and it went well.) We discussed the past problems with commercial dog food and I told him there were only two manufacturers of dog food, so they all came from the same place (this vet's office sells Science Diet).

At any rate, he told me her coat was nice and she has gained a pound in the two and a half months she has been on natural/raw. (Small dog and she is actually a little butter ball.)

My biggest concern is fleas. I am having a real battle with fleas. I have used Frontline and after a couple of weeks she still had fleas. Then I gave her a Capstar. Still fleas. I got some Adams flea shampoo and two days later used Bio-Spot. Still fleas. More Adams flea shampoo about every third day. Today I gave her another Capstar pill. The vet said she could have one every 4-5 days. Any opinion or advice for dealing with these fleas is greatly appreciated.

Also, I had a blood test for heartworms and got her a dose of the Heartguard. I haven't yet given it to her and wanted some opinions on that. Our season is June thru October. When I mentioned that to the vet, he just said it was to be given monthly.

I thought I had read here or somewhere that the Heartguard is actually designed for every 45 days and then only needed for season when your area experiences heartworms. Once again, any opinion or advice appreciated.

I guess that does it for the update except that this forum has made me a true believer in raw diet for dogs and all the other great advice given here.

Thanks,

You could try Advantage for fleas. People who find Frontline ineffective (and MANY do) often have better luck when they try Advantage.

You also may want to consider treating your home if you're having a major problem with fleas. They will get onto anything your dog lies on.

HeartGard can be given every 30-45 days. Someone posted that going any longer than 45 days and you're running a risk of HW disease. I do the 45 day dosing.

Pretty cool that the vet was willing to play ball with the rabies vx. I'm still trying to figure out something so my dog won't have to get another.

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

Also, I had a blood test for heartworms and got her a dose of the Heartguard. I haven't yet given it to her and wanted some opinions on that. Our season is June thru October. When I mentioned that to the vet, he just said it was to be given monthly.

I thought I had read here or somewhere that the Heartguard is actually designed for every 45 days and then only needed for season when your area experiences heartworms. Once again, any opinion or advice appreciated.

I guess that does it for the update except that this forum has made me a true believer in raw diet for dogs and all the other great advice given here.

Thanks,

Nora, I have also read that Heartguard is effective for 45 days. I give Interceptor year round and I'm now increasing the length between doses to 40 days, instead of 30. That will reduce it down to 9 treatments instead of 12. I will do the blood test on a yearly basis as well.

As far as fleas go, make sure that you vacuum every few days and also wash her bedding every week. You have to break the lifecycle of the fleas, and getting rid of the eggs/larvae is imperative.

You can also spray an IGR (insect growth regulator) like Precor inside the house; this prevents the larvae from maturing and laying more eggs.

This link is very informative:

http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/uc/uc-034.html

Here's how I successfully get rid of fleas when I get a new foster dog.

First I bath the dog with a flea shampoo. You MUST leave the shampoo lather on the dog for 10 minutes - time it. Very important. I actually see the dead fleas float to the top of the lather LOL. If I don't wait at least 10 minutes, I find them, still alive, when I towel the dog off. So make sure you wait. Next I put a flea collar on the dog. It MUST be a collar that kills both fleas AND flea *eggs*. It costs at least twice as much as a regular flea collar but it is the only kind that will work.

I then vacuum especially around baseboards, under the couch, the couch all the cushions (even though the dogs don't go on the couch, the fleas do), wash their bedding in HOT water with a little bleach and vacuum their bed/crate - if your dog sleeps with you, you will need to vacuum your mattress, boxspring and wash all your blankets and pillows. Immediately remove the vacuum cleaner bag and put it outside.

After one week I do the vacuuming and washing thing again.

I absolutely hate topical flea applications. I am the only person I have ever heard of that refuses to use them, though lol. But I just loathe them. I don't like flea collars either (they stink and are powdery and chemically), so I only use them if I actually see fleas.

My method has worked for me several times in the past.