Treatment FAQ

why isn t flea treatment working on my dog

by Lolita O'Kon DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Five reasons flea treatment for dogs might not work

  • Medication choice:. There’s a bewildering array of products out there for getting rid of fleas; collars, flea spray,...
  • Application error:. With spot on treatments, application of liquid to the skin is crucial. If most of the vial is...
  • Wash off effect:. Have you washed your stinky hound after they’ve rolled in...

Full Answer

Why does my dog keep getting fleas after flea treatment?

Jan 13, 2022 · If you accidentally break your pet’s treatment program at any point during this time, the pupae can hatch, feed, and start laying eggs again. This will undo all …

Why won’t my flea treatment work?

Jun 14, 2021 · There may be a number of reasons why your flea treatment isn’t working for your pet. The product could be made of low-quality ingredients or low-powered chemicals, you could be administering the product improperly, or you could be failing to keep your pet’s area clean, which is essential for flea eradication. Here are some possible ...

What happens if you treat your dog for fleas and not cats?

Jan 22, 2022 · maybe because you're using the wrong product for the wrong weight category. check your dogs' weight and age and accordingly, your vet will prescribe a flea and tick treatment. you also need to keep your dog clean and manually discard any fleas you find is by brushing the dog's hair giving him baths with a medicated tick shampoo (make sure the dog doesn't lick the …

Why is my dog foaming at the mouth after flea treatment?

Jun 13, 2017 · 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. Pucheu-Haston says she has also seen it in cases where cats rub against or lick off a topical medication that is on the skin or hair of a dog in the …

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Why is flea medicine not working for my dog?

Many of the spot-on flea products use the natural oils of the coat to spread the flea treatment over your pet. So, if you've just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they'll be less effective.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

Why does my dog keep getting fleas even 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

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.

Why does my dog still have fleas after using 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.

What kills fleas on dogs instantly?

The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes. It is recommended that you contain your pet in a small area when using Capstar.Jun 29, 2020

What happens if you put too much flea medicine on your dog?

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

How do you break the life cycle of a flea?

Fleas cannot fly, but they move by jumping from object to object. It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.

Can my dog sleep in my bed with fleas?

Unfortunately, if your dog has fleas and sleeps in your bed, your bed will likely end up with fleas. Fleas can lay eggs in your pet's fur, and those eggs can fall off onto your bedding and other areas where your dog sits or sleeps.

How long does flea medicine take to work on dogs?

Flea pills work very quickly, beginning in as little as 30 minutes. Currently, there are no oral medications that kill ticks.

How long does it take for a dog to get rid of fleas?

Killing the fleas on your dog is just one part of the problem. You also need to determine how to get rid of fleas in your home. This requires patience. It can take as long as three-to-four months to get rid of an infestation, as it takes this long for all of the fleas in your home to go through their life stages.

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.

What is the life cycle of fleas?

What is the flea lifecycle and why does it matter? Fleas have a similar life cycle to the caterpillar and butterfly. The adult flea lives mostly on your pet, although they’ll jump back off and spend some time in your house.

Can fleas feed on rabbits?

There’s no point in treating your dogs if the adult fleas can feed on your rabbit, or on the neighbour’s cat that sleeps on your sofa sometimes! The minute you forget a day of your dog’s treatment, or use a sub-standard product, they’ll catch fleas again. Make sure you treat all the animals in the house so the adult fleas have nowhere safe to go! If you have a visiting cat, please check with their owner before applying flea treatment, to avoid double-dosing.

Why isn't my dog flea treatment effective?

Why Aren’t Dog Flea Treatments Effective? There may be a number of reasons why your flea treatment isn’t working for your pet. The product could be made of low-quality ingredients or low-powered chemicals, you could be administering the product improperly, or you could be failing to keep your pet’s area clean , which is essential for flea ...

What is Credelio flea and tick treatment?

Credelio is a delicious beef-flavored flea and tick treatment for dogs that treats and controls fleas and ticks. The monthly oral treatment kills fleas in 12 hours and controls dog tick infestations. Consult your veterinarian to determine which methods and products are best for you and your pets.

How long does it take for a flea to grow?

Your Flea infestation did not occur overnight and will not be resolved in a matter of days. In reality, all stages of the flea cycle can take three to eight weeks, or two months, to fully grow and mature. For at least two months, flea treatment must be taken exactly as directed.

How long does it take for Capstar to work on dogs?

Buy Comfortis for Dog. Capstar for dogs is an oral tablet that contains a fast-acting adulticide to combat adult fleas on dogs. Within half an hour of administration , it begins to work and kills all adult fleas within seven hours. Buy Capstar.

Can fleas be killed before they lay eggs?

Not using a flea product that kills quickly or contains an insect growth regulator: It is essential to begin killing fleas before they lay eggs or to use a flea treatment that eliminates the eggs. Breaking the flea’s life cycle is important. It takes a bit of time:

Do flea treatments kill fleas?

Since most flea treatments do not repel fleas, new fleas from the area can and will hop on your pet to eat. Flea treatments kill fleas either directly or indirectly by flea feeding on your pet. You should do some research on the product you’re using to see how quickly it starts killing fleas.

Can you take flea treatments with a meal?

Any oral flea treatments must be taken with a complete meal in order to be absorbed. Some topical flea treatments may be less effective if your pet is bathed or swims. Topical products should be applied directly to the skin between the shoulder blades in a two-inch area. Misconception on how flea treatment works:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is hair loss a problem for cats?

Milosevic adds that hair loss is particularly common in cats. Like redness of the skin, hair loss is not considered an emergency, but you and your vet should find a new medication for your afflicted pet. While this might suggest a topical problem, the tail base is, in fact, a hot spot for flea allergies.

Why do cats and dogs keep getting fleas?

The real cause, however, is often unrelated to the efficacy of the flea treatment product but more with the way or time it has been used. The reasons why cats and dogs seem to keep getting fleas, despite using flea treatment products, range from improper use to forgetting to treat the environment at the same time.

What is the best treatment for fleas?

Topical medications such as Bravecto topical, Revolution, Frontline Plus, or Advantage Multi are very popular and effective methods to get rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae, but they need to be used properly in order to work.

Can flea pupae jump on a dog?

This means even if you have been vigilant about killing fleas in your house and yard, given time, the flea pupae will become adults, free to jump onto your pet if your cat or dog isn’t protected. Bravecto Chews. NexGard Chewables.

Can you use flea treatment on pets?

It is not enough to simply use flea treatment products on your pets when you are fighting a flea infestation. You need to get rid of fleas in the house and yard at the same time. Otherwise, the hidden flea eggs and larvae will simply grow to become adult fleas, re-infesting your pet.

Can you see fleas in your carpet?

When you see a few fleas either hopping on your pet’s fur or in the carpet, you are already dealing with a full-blown flea infestation. What you cannot see are the flea eggs and larvae buried deep in the fibers of your home furniture and pet’s bed, which make up 95% of the entire flea population. It is not enough to simply use flea treatment ...

Can you give a dog a flea collar?

You can use Bravecto chews or Nexgard for dogs, or Capstar, which can be given to both cats and dogs. If your pet refuses the chews, the Seresto flea collar is not only effective in killing fleas (and ticks) and its larvae, it also provides one of the safest and longest lasting flea protection for your pet. Seresto.

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.

Why is my dog fleaing?

One of the main reasons is when the treatment is not applied properly. Due to this, the ingredients would not spread across the treated pet’s body. Fleas escape to the parts where the medication has not reached. Follow the application instructions given on the label to save the pet from such a situation.

Why is it so hard to wipe out fleas?

Heavy infestation. If the pet is heavily infested with fleas or is living in an area where there are excessive fleas then, it becomes difficult to wipe them out completely. The problem is the new pests in the environment easily substitute the killed fleas and you again spot those annoying parasites on your pet’s body.

How long does Frontline Plus last?

It not only eliminates adult fleas within 12 hours but also keeps on wiping out the flea life stages for one month after application.

Can fleas be killed by ticks?

Not every flea is killed by flea and tick treatments. The treatment’s efficacy rate may be 95%-98% but few fleas may still stay untapped. Pet parents can combine other short-term flea treatments like Capstar to make sure every flea is shot down.

Is Frontline Plus safe for dogs?

There have been few cases suggesting the failure of Frontline Plus for dogs. Well, since it is a very popular flea treatment, there have been many surveys and researches to find out the cause of its slow down. The treatment is one of the most popular, vet recommended treatment for dogs.

Do pets have immunity to fleas?

Flea immunity. This holds true specifically for pets living in certain areas. There are certain areas in America where fleas have developed a good level of immunity towards Frontline Plus. Pets living in this area may not respond positively to Frontline Plus and thus cannot combat the flea attack.

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