Dealing with Fleas

Vikkie815

Hey everyone,

 Hoping you call tell me I'm freaking out for nothing. Our dog is on Sentienal for heatworm and flea protection. Two days ago, I found 3 fleas on him (no nests). I gave him a flea bath and did a good vaccum of the carpet. Yesterday I found one in the house (not on the dog). My husband is saying its no big deal because the fleas are sterile if they have come in contact with the dog. I'm not so convinced and am worried because we have an indoor only cat that is not on flea meds. We were thinking picking up a flea collar for the cat but aside from that is there more I should be doing?

One note: I did notice the 3 fleas on the dog right after he had been outside so its possible they had just landed on him?

aggiebug

Ugh this is why I dislike Sentinel. 

 

Your H is right in the fact that the fleas should be sterile if they come in contact with your dog and should not be able to reproduce. However they can still be a nuisance to your pets for their life span and they dog can always bring more fleas in.   

 

Honestly I recommend getting a different product.  Are you trying not to use topicals?  It that is the case I would do Heartworm and Flea separately using Heartguard and Comfortis.   

I really like Comfortis, but do make sure to get it on a full stomach as it can make dogs sick.

 

If you aren't opposed to topical medications you can try advantage multi.  It does both fleas and heartworms But it actually kills fleas dead instead of sterilizing them so theoretically you should not see any more fleas. Period

CheesyPeas

If you aren't opposed to it, maybe you should try an insect growth regulator around the house.  It's safe to animals once it's dry (heck, I first read about it in an article on PETA's website), and it acts as a form of birth control for fleas to treat or prevent an infestation.  That way a flea that happens to make it into the house doesn't have to be a big deal.  We used it a couple of years ago when we were dealing with persistent fleas, and it did the trick.

aggiebug

That is exactly what sentinel is except not for the environment.  Which means you still have a big potential for having fleas around.  And with a year like they are expecting its going to be a bad one for fleas.

Vikkie815

Thanks Ladies! I will look into the other flea meds you mentioned. Sentinel was just what the vet recommended when our dog was a puppy and I guess we have gotten lucky. I also like the idea of treating outside...my big concern for the environment is the dog. Minor concern for if there are any run off issues since we live in Michigan and everything drains down to the lakes.

jewelsdvm

There's a newer product called trifexis that is a combo of the heartworm prevention Interceptor and the flea product Comfortis.  But you should use a flea prevention on your cat too because if the dog is bringing them in the cat will get them.  Don't use a flea collar as they don't work!  Revolution is a combo heart worm and flea prevention that is topical, or you could try frontline plus or advantage.  You have to be very careful what products you use on cats-a lot are toxic!