what to do if first flea treatment doesn't work

Dry and unhealthy skin can also affect how well a flea treatment works. Consider switching to an oral medication as you can be more confident that the flea treatment product will work. You can use Bravecto chews or Nexgard for dogs, or Capstar, which can be given to both cats and dogs.

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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. ...

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How do I get rid of fleas if flea medicine isn't working?

What to do if your flea treatment still isn't working. It's time to go and see your vet. Don't be embarrassed – your local veterinarian deals with fleas all the time and it is no reflection on your home or ability to care for your pet.

What happens if flea medicine didn'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.

Can you double up on flea treatment?

It's not usually recommended to use more than one oral flea medication at the same time. However, Comfortis and Capstar can be combined. Another exception is Sentinel, which doesn't kill adult fleas, so it can be combined individually with either Comfortis or Capstar.

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?

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

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.

How soon can you repeat 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.

What do you do when frontline doesn't work?

If you suspect it is not controlling your pet's fleas, you may, in certain cases, be able to reapply it in as little as two weeks and try again. Speak to your veterinarian about this first if your flea medicine is not working. One Frontline alternative is to switch to another topical product.

Can't get rid dog fleas?

Fleas lay a lot of eggs, and the cycle can start over if you aren't vigilant.Kill fleas with a topical prescription. ... Kill fleas with an oral prescription. ... Kill fleas with a pet-safe spray. ... Wash your pet's bedding in hot water every couple of days. ... Wash your pet using flea shampoo. ... Use a flea comb. ... Regular vet checkups.More items...

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.

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.

How long can fleas live in carpet?

On average, a flea can live for two to three months in the carpet. But without intervention, they can stay in the carpet without end if they have a host. If a blood meal isn't consumed the flea may only survive for a few days.

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...

When to start flea treatment?

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.

How long does it take for flea eggs to grow?

Flea eggs that were originally on your pet may have fallen off into the corners and cracks of your home, and that's just the start of the flea life cycle! Those eggs could take up to twelve months to become adult fleas, and when they do, those pests can then jump back onto your pet.

Can you use Spot on Flea and Tick?

How to Use Spot On Flea and Tick Treatment. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

What happens when an animal licks flea medication?

Vomiting and Lethargy. You might think these signs are emblematic of a problem with an oral medication, however, Verbrugge says, these reactions are most common when an animal licks off the topical flea medication that’s been applied to the hair and skin.

Why does my dog have a flea reaction?

By far the most reactions to flea medication occur when cats are exposed to certain flea medications that are meant for dogs, which might happen because a pet owner mistakenly buys the wrong product.

Why do cats react to fleas?

By far the most reactions to flea medication occur when cats are exposed to certain flea medications that are meant for dogs, which might happen because a pet owner mistakenly buys the wrong product.

What happens if you treat your dog and not your cat?

“If you treat your dog and not your cat, the fleas will keep on breeding, keep on laying eggs, and you will continue to see them in the house.”.

How many active ingredients are in flea medicine?

There are more than a dozen “active” ingredients across the spectrum of flea medications. These are the ingredients that give each medicine its potency. Also in each respective formula are numerous “non-active” or “inert” ingredients, which are basically vehicles that help make the active ingredient more effective or palatable.

How to tell if your dog has licked off topical medication?

Other signs that your animal has licked off the topical medication are drooling and foaming at the mouth. Some medications can cause mild oral irritation or ulceration in the mouth if licked in large quantities. Occasionally, these symptoms can also occur as the result of oral medications, said Milosevic.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How long do flea collars last?

Some flea collars last three months, while others last up to a year. Again, I myself pay a hefty price for a very useful yearly collar, Seresto. Even without regular flea baths or essential oils, there’s never any fleas on any 3 of my pups. Here’s a shortlist of some of the best flea collars you can buy.

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!

What is the best flea repellent?

Vodka. Vodka, believe it or not, is another excellent flea repellant. Don’t worry – you don’t have to waste all your yummy vodka to protect your furry friends! Pour yourself a shot and set aside a teaspoon to make your pet’s collar. Make sure the vodka is plain, as the flavored varieties will not work.

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, ...