Treatment FAQ

what if flea treatment doesn't work

by Fiona Adams Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work? If you've applied flea treatment but can still see live fleas on your pet, you should resist the urge to re-apply the flea treatment. Doubling up on dosing can be dangerous for your pet, and unnecessary, if you are using already using an effective flea product.Jan 13, 2022

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.Jun 12, 2019

Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work?

Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand.

Is it normal to still see 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.

How soon can I reapply flea treatment?

There is no single answer for this frequently asked question. 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 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.Feb 19, 2018

Can I use Frontline every 2 weeks?

Treat all your dogs and cats every month for optimal flea control. When applied correctly, FRONTLINE PLUS remains active against fleas for at least one month. If you are in a paralysis tick area, apply FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS every 2 weeks to provide paralysis tick control for your dog.

Why can't I get rid of fleas?

These pests are very hard to get rid of. Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush. They also leap out of danger quickly and are very small, so if they do get away they are hard to find again.

What kills fleas on cats instantly?

The pill nitenpyram (Capstar) kills adult fleas on your cat within 30 minutes. It doesn't have any lasting effects, though. Spinosad (Comfortis) is a fast-acting chewable that starts killing fleas before they lay eggs.Feb 6, 2021

How long can fleas live in carpet?

In most cases, fleas can live an average of three months in your carpet. However, if no measures are taken to get rid of them and they have you or your pet on which they can continually feed, they can live indefinitely within this environment.

Can I give my dog flea medicine twice in a month?

I'm sure other pet owners have wondered about reapplying the nasty, messy flea/tick treatment. Thanks for your time and help. K9 Advantix should not be applied more than once in a month.Aug 19, 2010

Can you use Frontline twice in a month?

If a pet still has fleas, many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet's veterinarian.Aug 9, 2010

Can you overdose 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.Aug 17, 2018

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...

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 pet flea-free, but if the rest of the area is infested, you may still be seeing some scratching. Consider treating your home and yard for pests as another measure to keep your pet healthy.

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 showed up. Many vets encourage owners to use flea medication year round, but if you want, you can also begin treatment a few months before the peak flea season beings.

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 means more fleas laying eggs in your home! However, if you have both cats and dogs, make sure to use the species-specific medication for each.

Are You Being Patient?

If you’ve exhausted all other options, maybe it's because you're trying to rush through the process.

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.

Is oral flea medicine effective?

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. Plus, with an oral flea treatment, you eliminate the mess of topical flea treatments and the worry about whether you’ve applied the product properly.

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 .

Why is it so hard to clear up fleas?

Once your pet gets a flea infestation, it can be hard to clear up. One of the biggest reasons people continue to see fleas in their home or on their pets, despite their best efforts at flea prevention, is that they only treat their pets.

What to do when fleas invade your house?

The best course of action is to throw any soft fabrics that your pet has come into contact with into the washing machine. Your pet’s bedding should be the first concern.

Why is Frontline not working?

The main reason that Frontline may fail as a flea product is a large infestation of fleas being present in various stages. When there are eggs, larvae, and pupae/young fleas, Frontline is ineffective.

What to use on a dog's collar if they don't wear bandanas?

If your pet doesn’t mind wearing bandanas around their neck, apply a diluted water and oil solution ( lavender or cedar) directly onto the fabric. You can also use this solution on a regular collar if bandanas aren’t an option.

How to get rid of fleas on dog?

To prevent fleas on your dog, mix one cup of water with six to seven drops of oil in a spray bottle and apply to your pet’s coat every other day. Here’s a list of essential oils that are effective against fleas: ● Tea tree oil – must dilute adequately to avoid poisoning (.1%-1%) ● Peppermint oil. ● Citronella oil.

Who is Heather Abraham?

Heather Abraham is an owner of two dogs, one cat, a leopard gecko, and a parrot (who her dad still cannot teach bad words to), and an avid blogger. From the time she was a young girl, she always felt a connection with pets. She brings her love of every type of pet to you, with information on animal nutrition, medication, toys, beds, and everything else in between. She puts pups first while offering other various information along the way.

Why do dogs wear flea collars?

All pets should wear a flea collar to help protect them from flea bites and infestations . There are numerous prescription and over-the-counter collars available for varying prices, with Seresto being the most proven and popular. You can even DIY your own with the right materials!

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