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.
Full Answer
When to switch from topical to oral flea treatment for dogs?
If you find that your topical treatment isn’t doing its job, Dr. Niesenbaum recommends switching to an oral medication after 30 days from the last application of topical treatment. Dr. Niesenbaum says you can expect a spike in flea activity when starting any flea product during the 2-3 months it takes to resolve an established flea infestation.
How long should I give my Dog between treatments?
If a product seems to have a shorter span, your veterinarian might shorten the length of time between treatments from 4 weeks to 3, but never do this without consulting your veterinarian first.
How long does it take for a flea pill to work?
It's a one time pill that starts killing adult fleas in 30 minutes and is safe to use with a topical treatment. Use a monthly preventive on all pets for at least 3 consecutive months to break the flea life cycle. Year round use is preferred.
Why is my flea treatment not working on my Dog?
Incorrect Application of Flea Treatment Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don’t want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair.
How soon can I reapply topical flea treatment?
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.
Can I reapply flea treatment early on my dog?
If you are finding fleas on your pet even after applying your pet's topical flea treatment, you might consider reapplying it early. However, this solution is not always recommended and may lead to an overdose in some rare cases.
Why hasn't my dogs flea treatment worked?
Using flea shampoo So, if you've just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they'll be less effective. Check the packaging for specific recommendations, but most say you cannot apply within 48 hours of a bath, and you shouldn't bathe your dog for at least 48 hours after application, either.
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 reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks?
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.
What do you do when flea medicine doesn't work?
Why Has My Pet's Flea Medicine Stopped Working?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.Treat your yard and house where 95-99% of the flea population lives.More items...
Can I apply advocate after 2 weeks?
Advocate should be started at least a month before the season starts. Roundworms: In both cats and dogs, Advocate should be applied monthly to treat and prevent intestinal roundworms. Q. What is Advocate?
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.
Why does my dog still have fleas after frontline?
A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.
How often can you apply flea treatment to dogs?
Fleas can still jump onto your puppy in the winter, and your warm home will be the perfect environment for triggering flea eggs to hatch. So, if you're asking yourself “how often should I give my puppy flea treatment?”, the answer is every 4 weeks for optimal protection – year-round, leaving no gaps.
Can you overdose a dog on flea treatment?
Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.
Can you give a dog flea medicine more than once a month?
You give you pets a once-a-month flea treatment, but you see some fleas before those 30 days are up.
What is topical medicine for dogs?
Topical medications come in several forms, such as creams, ointments, lotions, and patches. It’s important to use only the medicine your veterinarian has prescribed, and to use it exactly as advised. Even if the problem seems to be resolved, you should treat your pet for the full length of time prescribed. On the other hand, you don’t want to use the medication too frequently or aggressively, as doing so can make your pet’s problem worse, especially if your pet has sensitive, already-inflamed skin, which can be further damaged by overtreatment.
Why do vets prescribe medicine for dogs?
So if your pet becomes so agitated that you feel you’re at risk of being bitten, or if the procedure seems excessively painful for your pet, stop and get your veterinarian’s advice.
How to apply topical medication to dogs?
Applying Topical Medication to Your Dog. Try the following method: Hold the applicator upright and snap off the tip to allow the medication to flow out of the applicator. Hold your dog still. Your dog can be standing, lying down or even sitting. Just make sure you have access to the necessary area. For flea and tick products, read ...
Where to place flea and tick medication on dog?
For flea and tick treatments, the best recommendation is to place the medication on the skin between the shoulder blades.
How is flea and tick medication absorbed?
For flea and tick products, once applied to the skin, the medication is absorbed by the skin, where it enters the bloodstream. From there, it is distributed throughout the body.
Can a dog lick antibiotic cream?
The medication needs to be placed in an area that the dog cannot lick.
How long should I keep fleas off my dog?
Use a monthly preventive on all pets for at least 3 consecutive months to break the flea life cycle. Year round use is preferred. You will also have to treat the environment. Wash all bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces.
What to give Mia for fleas?
I recommend using Advantage or Revolution. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach. If you are seeing fleas on Mia now, you can give her Capstar ( Nitenpyram ). It's a one time pill that starts killing adult fleas in 30 minutes and is safe to use with a topical treatment.
Can I reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks?
1 answer. 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. I recommend using Advantage or Revolution. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach.
How long should I bathe my dog after flea shampoo?
So, if you’ve just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they’ll be less effective. Check the packaging for specific recommendations, but most say you cannot apply within 48 hours of a bath, and you shouldn’t bathe your dog for at least 48 hours after application, either.
How to kill fleas on cats?
1. Using flea shampoo. One really common scenario is a frustrated pet parent who uses flea shampoo, then applies, for example, a topical flea treatment for cats, to kill the fleas. Many of the spot-on flea products use the natural oils of the coat to spread over your pet.
How long does it take for fleas to hatch?
Pet parents often have unrealistic expectations, especially if they buy a product from the vets – but the truth is, the pupae can wait 12 weeks to hatch, which means you need to treat for 12 weeks, without a gap, to beat them.
How long does flea collar last?
"Flea collars use a concentrated chemical to repel fleas (and sometimes ticks) from a dog or cat," says Jennifer Kvamme, DVM."The chemical will disperse all over the animal’s coat and can last for several months. ".
Do flea and tick treatments have to go through your pet's organs?
Flea and Tick Topical Treatments. Today’s topical treatments typically use a compound that is regulated by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and does not have to go through your pet’s organs. Some are available at retail stores and others through your vet.
Do flea and tick products work on cats?
It may be hard to believe, but getting flea and tick products to work on dogs and cats used to be a long, messy, even smelly process. Today there are so many better options to get these pesky parasites off of your pet and out of your home.
Can flea and tick treatment be used on a cat?
Also, never use a flea and tick topical preventive product that is labeled for a dog on a cat or vice versa.
The Basics
Follow Recommendations
- Topical medications come in several forms, such as creams, ointments, lotions, and patches. It’s important to use only the medicine your veterinarian has prescribed, and to use it exactly as advised. Even if the problem seems to be resolved, you should treat your pet for the full length of time prescribed. On the other hand, you don’t want to use t...
What You Need
- Before you get started, you’ll want to find a safe work area and gather the following basic supplies: 1. Medication prescribed by your veterinarian 2. Latex or other gloves, if recommended 3. Elizabethan collar, if necessary
Specific Techniques
- Your veterinarian will recommend the best technique for applying the medication, depending on whether it’s a cream, ointment, lotion, or patch. If the medication comes with an applicator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the applicator. When applying topical medications, be aware of the following issues: 1. Some medications should be allowed to dry before people (…