The short answer: ask your vet. Prescription flea treatments tailored to your pet’s needs and circumstances are far more effective than many ‘over the counter’ products, many of which frankly don’t work. With spot on treatments, application of liquid to the skin is crucial.
Full Answer
What to do when flea medicine isn't working?
What to Do If Your Flea Meds Aren't Working. To ensure a pet is getting proper anti-flea care, we recommend bringing them to your local vet office to evaluate and help determine which medications would be best. Is your animal suffering from constant flea bites? If so, contact Pharr Road Animal Hospital right away. We'll provide your pet with relief and help prevent future flea attacks.
What do if your treatment isn't working?
What to Do If Your Asthma Treatment Stops Working Signs your treatment no longer works. Keep a close eye on your asthma symptoms to determine if your current treatment plan no longer works. Track your symptoms. Many factors can trigger your asthma symptoms. ... Treatment options for asthma. ... Talking to your doctor. ... Working with a new treatment plan. ... Takeaway. ...
Why is the seresto collar not working?
- Remove the collar from its packaging.
- Unroll the collar and remove the small plastic connectors from inside the collar, ensuring that no remnants remain.
- Insert the end of the collar through the buckle and loops.
- Adjust the collar around your dog’s neck until it fits comfortably on them.
What is the best homemade flea treatment?
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Add to your dog’s water or food – You can either add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of water or add it directly to their food.
- Add to your dog’s bath – Lather and massage the vinegar into your dog’s skin and let sit for 10 minutes. ...
What do I do if flea treatment doesn't work?
Your Flea Medication Has Become Ineffective While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet.
How do I get rid of fleas if flea medicine isn't working?
Not treating the house If your product only contains an adulticide, you still need to kill the eggs and larvae in the house. One way of doing this is with a house spray or flea bomb. Many of these products last for several months in the environment, so only need to be applied a couple of times a year.
Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work?
The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.
Why am I still finding fleas after treatment?
As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.
Can I reapply flea treatment early?
A flea infestation on your pet or in your home can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand.
Can I apply advantage after 2 weeks?
Because it's been 2-3 weeks since the last application, yes you can apply it again. You can also give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes, and it's safe to use with the Advantage.
Can you double up on flea treatment?
Never double up on products. There's no need to pair a powder with a spot-on treatment. 3. Wear gloves, or wash your hands with soap and water after you apply the drug.
Can I put two doses of flea treatment on my dog?
Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.
Why has my dog still got fleas after treatment?
Not treating often enough Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.
Why can't I get rid of fleas?
Control the environment – Adopt control strategies including: Vacuum the carpet 2-3 times a week to remove eggs, wash pets blankets weekly (in the washing machine), spray the house, kennels and yards with an adult flea killer, fog the house to prevent larvae developing.
How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast?
How to get rid of fleas in your homeUse a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. ... Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. ... Wash all bedding, including your pet's, in hot water and detergent.
How do you sort out a flea infestation?
For some serious infestations, steam cleaning before vacuuming is necessary. The heat will kill almost all of the adult fleas, but may not kill all of the eggs. Continue to vacuum every other day after the steam cleaning to make sure you are killing fleas as they hatch. Some might still make it to the adult stage.
Are You Really Sure You’Re Doing It Right?
The first thing to check (and double-check and triple-check) are the directions of whatever flea medicine you bought. For instance, if you are givi...
How Healthy Is Your Pet’S Skin?
Dry and unhealthy skin can affect how well spot on treatments work. A good washing and combing of your pet’s coat could help with the application o...
Where Are All The Fleas Coming from?
Some estimate that over 90% of the flea population lives not on your dog, but in your house and your yard. You may be doing your best to keep your...
When Did You Start The medication?
Once you see fleas on your pet, it’s going to be more difficult to get them off than if you were using the medicine as protection before the pests...
Are You Treating All Your Pets For fleas?
Well, are you? Just because one isn’t scratching as much as the other doesn’t mean that all of your pets aren’t suffering from fleas. That also mea...
How to control fleas on pets?
Below is a list of several options to help control fleas on your pet and in your home, even if your pet is already on a monthly flea medicine. Make sure to apply topical medications correctly ( do not split medications to use on more than one pet) Make sure your pet's skin is healthy so topical flea medications work well.
How to treat fleas in your yard?
Kill all fleas as soon as they hatch from the cocoon stage (pupal). Or, use a flea medicine with an IGR (insect growth regulator) which kills flea eggs and larvae.
How to get rid of fleas in dog house?
Treat all shady areas in the yard, under fences, and in the dog house. Remove all leaf litter and material fleas can live in. If you mulch, use eucalyptus or cedar mulch to deter insects. Vacuum the house twice a week. Pay attention to mop boards, sofa cushions, carpets, and pet beds.
How long does it take for a flea to emerge from a cocoon?
Pupal fleas mature and emerge as adults over a wide time span. They can emerge from the cocoon in as little as a couple weeks, or as long as several months-depending upon temperature, humidity, and the flea's ability to sense a suitable host.
What stages of fleas do you need to control?
Rotate flea control products to prevent resistance to any single product. Fleas go through 4 growth stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Flea treatments kill adult fleas and larvae, but no pet, house, or yard product kills fleas when they are in the pupal stage and wrapped in a cocoon. You have not failed.
What animals carry fleas?
The following wildlife carries fleas that infect pets: raccoons, opossums, deer, mice, cattle, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, skunks, ferrets, Florida panthers. Rotate flea control products to prevent resistance to any single product.
What is the advantage of flea 5x?
Advantage Multi. Make sure your pet's skin is healthy. Be sure the skin is soft, flexible, and healthy. If skin is dry, thick, and unhealthy, the medication will not be carried through skin as it should. If necessary, supplement with Omega 3 fatty acids to improve your pet's skin and coat.
How to get rid of fleas in cats?
While the flea medicine slowly works, you can do other things to get rid of the fleas. Comeb your cat's fur frquently with a fine toothed comb to remove fleas and eggs. Dunk the comb into hot soapy water after each pass throgh the fur to drown the fleas. Vaccum frequently.
Does Broadline kill fleas?
Some use Advantage. They both kill fleas and the eggs . I don't know the active ingredients in Broadline . If one medication fails to work I would try a different one. Sometimes with longhair cats you must make sure you part the hair and apply the drops directly on the skin .
Can you spray flea killer on carpet?
Location. Nebraska, USA. Yes, make sure you vacuum more often, and even spray some flea killer on the carpet to kill the eggs and fleas you suck up. Wash blankets and covers almost daily and spray the area where your cat sleeps before you replace the bedding.
How to apply flea treatment?
How to Apply Each Brand of Topical Flea Treatment 1 Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. 2 Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. 3 Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. 4 Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.
How many active ingredients are in flea prevention?
Flea preventions typically use one or two active ingredients to do the job of preventing fleas. Each brand will use different active ingredients, and these ingredients will work in different ways to prevent fleas. An overdose for most flea preventions could result in the following: Profuse drooling. Vomiting.
How long do fleas live in the environment?
Flea eggs and larvae can live in the environment for days or weeks. It is best to regularly vacuum all the locations of your home where your pet spends time, wash all bedding in hot water, and keep your pets on flea prevention.
How to apply Bravecto to cat?
Bravecto. Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow.
Where to apply hair spray for dogs?
You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.
Can you treat fleas in your home?
Your Home Hasn’t Been Treated for Fleas. In conjunction with topical flea treatments, you need to treat your home to provide the best defense against fleas. Most flea preventions do not repel fleas. Flea preventions kill fleas either by direct contact with the fleas or from the fleas feeding on your pet.
What is Advantage Yard and Premise Spray?
The Advantage Yard & Premise Spray and the Enforcer Flea Spray for Homes are just two products that can help you win the war on fleas & ticks! Insects are known for their ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Currently, there are insects resistant to EVERY synthetic chemical insecticide used. There are many factors to developing resistance.
Why do insects die when exposed to insecticides?
Upon exposure to insecticides, insects that do not carry the resistance genes die. This allows the individuals with the resistance genes to survive and reproduce, creating more resistant insects. So with every generation, the number of resistant insects increase.
Can you rub a pet's coat the wrong way?
With topical spot-on products, it’s important that the product reaches your pet’s skin and doesn’t sit above their epidermal layer. You’ll want to rub your pet’s coat the wrong way so you can see skin. If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it will not be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands. That’s where the flea-fighting magic happens!
Can you switch to Advantage 2 Frontline Plus?
For example, if you’ve been using Frontline Plus on your pet for years, and notice it isn’t as effective, try switching to Advantage II . Don’t switch to a product with the same active ingredient as what you have been using. In all likelihood, it will not be effective.
Can you exfoliate your pet's skin?
As with humans, exfoliating your pet’s skin and removing extraneous dead skin cells will provide a clean surface for the topical. Follow the directions on your topical, but the directions on most topicals advise to make sure the coat is completely dry before applying the product.
Can flea medicine be absorbed by pets?
If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it will not be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands. That’s where the flea-fighting magic happens! Make sure you are using the entire tube of medication on your pet. Don’t skimp and try to save a few dollars by splitting the product between months or between pets.
Why aren't flea products working?
Another reason for products not working is by not treating your home and yard, where in some cases 80% of the flea life cycle may occur. Read how to control fleas indoors and outdoors.
Can Advantage II be applied on multiple spots?
For instance, for large dogs, Advantage II requires the product to be applied on multiple spots down the pet’s back.
Can pet hair medication be applied to skin?
This is something that can be somewhat of a challenge for thick haired pets; however, the pet medication will not work properly if only the hair follicles receive the medication – it must be applied to the skin.
Do pet owners see fleas?
All too often, a pet owner will come in and share their experience in which he or she regularly applies topical flea prevention, yet is frustrated that after several treatments they are still seeing fleas.
Can fleas be treated with oral flea medicine?
Consider switching to oral flea medications. The newer oral flea medications are becoming very popular and with good reason — they’re even more effective than topical treatments at killing adult fleas and keeping your pet flea-free.
How to control fleas naturally?
A way to control fleas naturally inside your home is to apply diatomaceous earth or salt to your carpet. A way to control fleas naturally on your pet is to use neem oil.
What products are used to treat fleas?
Commercial topical products such as Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, and Revolution are, of course, formulated to control fleas. Each of them contains different chemicals, many of which are hazardous. ( See the post about dangerous chemicals .)
Is flea control effective?
Some of these chemicals may be more effective than others in flea control. A flea is a very resilient creature — difficult to control because it reproduces so rapidly, and difficult to kill because of its bodily structure.
Is Frontline Plus a topical flea control?
Frontline and Frontline Plus are among the most popular topical flea control products. Yet over and over again on discussion boards and in forums, you see comments from dog and cat owners claiming that Frontline isn’t working. Commercial topical products such as Frontline, Advantage, K9 Advantix, and Revolution are, of course, ...
