The pet thread!

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

.......

[Mephys 2]

Anyone have a trick for fleas? I've given her a flea bath and then but some advantix flea spot treatment on her and she still gets a few here and there? She is a 15 pound mountain fiest.

Alright I just don't want anyone to tell you wrong, but here's my advice ( I am a veterinary tech and I work in an emergency hospital)

DO NOT USE any products sold in petstores. Ok they might be cheaper, but there is a reason to that. Vet products has been greatly improved over the years and most of these outdated products are now available over the counter, only because they are not recommended anymore. These older products just might give some bad skin reactions or ever cause toxicity to the animal. Believe me I see it a lot.

Frontline (fleas and tick) and Revolution (Heartworm, flea, ticks and intestinal parasites) are 2 great products that will eliminate the flea problem, and to prevent it from rehappening you can keep treating every month.

Nowaways, it is a myth that you need to clean all your house, vacuum, spray etc. Reason is, those products will kill the fleas and the larvaes that are on the animal really quick. So if there is any fleas left in your house, they will either die because there is no other host for them, die because they will go back on your dog, or die because they will be in contact with your dogs hair that contains the product in it. Those products are absorbed through the skin and get spread to the whole skin follicules through the blood stream. So once you apply the product, it will take a few weeks and your flea problem will be completely resolved without you spening a lot of time cleaning. You just need to re-apply every month, specially during the spring through fall period and that should prevent any more infestation.

didnt edit in time:

I still bring in a yearly stool sample to test for the heartworm! But one doesnt need to provide this company a prescription from your vet! Same goes if you find a Canadian company, one of those loop holes. And some vets will match their prices

I am sure you meant for intestinal parasites (roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms etc) because heartworm can only be detected in a blood sample Not trying to be a smarta$$ here, I just don't want anyone to think wrong.

Heartworm is found in the blood (microfillaria = heartworm babies) and is transmitted by a mosquito bite. Once the worm matures that's when he gets lodged in the heart and can cause heart failure. And the reason for the yearly blood test is to make sure the animal is negative for 2 reasons : 1- to ensure the products you are using are efficient (if not the companies are liable) 2- because if you give a positive dog the prevention, all the baby worms you will kill can clog the heart and can kill the dog.

[Flames9_RN 358]

ya, thats what I meant!! lol I just know I bring in a yearly stool sample, and i do believe they take blood! I just see the $$$ bill,lol

[Mephys 2]

ya, thats what I meant!! lol I just know I bring in a yearly stool sample, and i do believe they take blood! I just see the $$$ bill,lol

Yeah I hear you about the bills. Some things are definitely worthed to keep your pet healthy (vaccination, yearly blood and stool samples, dental cleanings, etc) but sometimes even me I cannot believe how much money people are gonna spend on their pet. I am talking for example about those animals with bad cancer, with really poor prognostic, that probably won't last more than 2 weeks and yet I see the owners spending 2000-3000$ to try to make them live 5 more days....

[Flames9_RN 358]

My parents forked over $4000 on their 12 yr Golden Retriever--eye surgery!! Didnt include the eye drops--they had like 6 different eye drops to give at first and had to be spaced like 5 min apart!! Luckily they are retired!!

[MissStacey 1]

So just to make sure- I know people can get flea bites, but they can't bring them home? Or can they?

[Mephys 2]

So just to make sure- I know people can get flea bites, but they can't bring them home? Or can they?

Well sorta. Like me, I get in contact with plenty of animals infested with fleas. If by chance one would jump in my pockets and then I bring it home, i have a chance to infest my cats. So that's why I use flea prevention on my even though they are indoor cats.

They just wouldn't stay on you, they need to find a dog or a cat to survive. It's the same if your dog goes outside, he can get them by walking virtually anywhere outside. So the best way if always to prevent by applying the Revolution or the Frontline everymonth if you know your pets are at risk, either from you or their environment.

Man I feel like I am at work

ETA: I love helping you guys though

Edited August 12, 2008 by Mephys

[MissStacey 1]

I'm itchy reading all this flea stuff

Quick question- When is it ok to bathe a dog (or let him swim) after giving a dog the flea treatment? I use Frontline.

I usually bathe him right before I do the treatment- but in case he gets into anything or gets really dirty- I don't want to wash it off before it is absorbed.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Should say on the package!! Think it is 48 hrs

[Mephys 2]

I'm itchy reading all this flea stuff

Quick question- When is it ok to bathe a dog (or let him swim) after giving a dog the flea treatment? I use Frontline.

I usually bathe him right before I do the treatment- but in case he gets into anything or gets really dirty- I don't want to wash it off before it is absorbed.

Like FLames said, 48 hours.....but it's not good to bathe him right before either It washes away all the natural oils from his skin and you have more chances to have a bad reaction.... So you should wait at least 24 hours AFTER a bath before you apply it !

[MrsCat 6]

Proud momma alert

Maximus and ThomasJ

ThomasJ sunning himself.

[MrsCat 6]

I've gotta learn how to use attachments.

[MissStacey 1]

I've gotta learn how to use attachments.

Don't feel bad- I'm a total computard. I don't even know how to make a poll on VJ.

I'm itchy reading all this flea stuff

Quick question- When is it ok to bathe a dog (or let him swim) after giving a dog the flea treatment? I use Frontline.

I usually bathe him right before I do the treatment- but in case he gets into anything or gets really dirty- I don't want to wash it off before it is absorbed.

Like FLames said, 48 hours.....but it's not good to bathe him right before either It washes away all the natural oils from his skin and you have more chances to have a bad reaction.... So you should wait at least 24 hours AFTER a bath before you apply it !

Good to know!! Thanks M!

[MrsCat 6]

ThomasJ sunning himself

The Northside Boys, Max & ThomasJ

[CHD 0]

Here is our Don Juan Herberto playing the strong silent type...

and here he plays the weak silent type as he begs for a treat with his eyes.

I wonder if he'll even remember me by the time I get home. LOL