Flea Meds

[PoodleMommy]

Hi All,

My name is Elissa, I have a 5 month old poodle puppy.

After the death of our other poodle of 11.5 years we decided to take an all natural route this time in hopes of giving this puppy the longest life possible. We were not going to give her any flea medication however after an incident with worms we have decided something needs to be done for her fleas.

I have two questions, first I would like to know what "all natural" options people on here have tried for their dogs.

Also for those who do use flea meds such as advantage is there some place online where you get them for cheaper then the vet.

Thank You

[Athebeau]

Here is an article to read:
http://www.petsynergy.com/fleaskin.html

Also, I don't use any topical flea treatments for my dogs. They are all chemicals...and even though most people say Advantage is very safe, we have seen many dogs have dreadful skin problems which cleared up as soon as they stopped the Advantage or other topical flea treatment. It's not just a coninsidence, this has happened with a high number of my Sister's customers.

If you use Advantage do so only only a "need to basis":)

[PoodleMommy]

Thank You for your quick reply!

[TheWonderPuppies]

hhhmmm. go to this website there are some natural remedies i cant use topical flea meds on my tow girls becasue tehy are alergic to them but these seem to work.http://members.tripod.com/~Barefoot_Lass/pets.html#fleas

[RoxyinLa]

I have used Advantage on my 4 year old poodle with no side effects. I find it better than Frontline at controling fleas. What I don't like about these products is that they don't repel fleas and I have had a problem with tape worms from my dogs swallowing infected fleas. I wish there was an all natural repellant that was safe to use.
I have looked at various sites that sell flea meds and they are much cheaper than my vet. I haven't bought any yet so I don't know about shipping costs, but for example, a 4 month supply of Frontline on the internet was $24 where as at my vet's, I am paying $17 dollars for 1 month. I think that is ridiculously high. I'm not using anything at the moment, but I think I will order my next supply from the internet.

[wrat]

speaking as someone who lives in Fl and has to deal with fleas year round I dont think that there is a natural or holistic treatment that is as effective as frontline,advantage or revolution..and the most important thing is treatment of yard and house flea eggs can live a long time

[PoodleMommy]

Thanks for all the replies.

For now we have decided to use advantage, vet says tapeworms are not good for young puppies especially our 4 pounder:)
We will continue to look into alternatives.

In the meantime, has anyone heard anything good or bad regarding website distributors (ex: 1-800- pet meds, pet rx..etc.)

Thanks Again
Elissa

[Boxer*Mom]

Maybe look into diatomaceous earth. It kills fleas and worms (among many other insects). Here are a few sites with the info. and cautions.
http://safe2use.com/safe-products/diatomaceous/diatomaceous_Earth.htm
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/livestockipm.html
http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html
http://hjs.geol.uib.no/diatoms/industry/de-web.shtml

[groominggal]

Haven't used PetMeds or anything like that, I order my Advantage from www.PetEdge.com or www.Ryanspet.com. I myself don't use topical flea products, but order the Advantage for my groom clients. I have only had a flea problem once or twice, and I always know when I have fleas before I even see any. One of my cats has a god awful flea allergy, and getting bit by just one flea will send her into a breakout. Once that happens, I take her to the vet and get a CapStar pill and treat my house and yard. The CapStar pill will kill all the fleas on your animal within 30 minutes, but its not a preventive. But I love it and prefer that to the topicals. I have had a lot of clients complain that they have been using Frontline, Advantage, etc religiously, but they are starting to have a flea problem. I think that the fleas are starting to mutate and become immune to the topicals. And yes, tapeworms are VERY bad for your puppy and can be transmitted to humans as well!

[RoxyinLa]

How are these tapeworms transmitted to humans? How easy is it to catch them? I worm my dogs regularly, but every now and then I see tapeworm segments in my poodle's stool and have to give her an off schedule dose, especially in the summer months. Also, if these tapeworm segments are in my yard after they poop, can they be re-infected by them?

[Boxer*Mom]

The tapes die soon after they are expelled by the body. The way they get them is from licking and biting when they have a flea on them, or from eating a rodent, the tapes eggs are inside the flea so when the flea is digested the eggs hatch out and the tapeworm anchors itself to the int. lining, you see the segments that have broken off the tapeworm. I think the way it is passed to humans is if you are touching the feces and then touching your mouth, or if the dog has been licking his rear where the tapes are then kissing you on the mouth. I think children and immunosuppressed people are most likely to catch them, then healthy normal adults. But don't quote me on any of this! ;)

Check out the diatom. links.

[lpollockandrsn]

Actually the dried up looking tape worm segments house hundreds of eggs. If those segments are ingested they can reinfect themselves. They often stick around the hair around the rectum, if the dog washes there he can swallow them and go around with them again.
A lot of dewormers do not get tapes. Drontal and Droncit are what you want to look for or ask about. Tapes burrow their head into the intestine lining so the pieces you see in the stool are just segments that house the eggs for reproduction.
The tapeworm meds paralyze and disolve the worm but it can take several attempts to get at that head. If you don't kill the head, the worm regenerates. I would suggest using Droncit at least 2-3x at 2 week intervals. That is the life cycle of the worm. You kill what is alive now and then in 2 weeks when new eggs are hatching and beginning to grow you do it again. I like to do it a 3rd time for safe measure. Tapes can be tough to get rid of.

Tapes are not generally transmitted to people though it is possible. Kids are more susceptible than adults. Their are human tapeworms but they are different than the canine variety. These worms are fairly species specific. That still doesn't make me feel like having them around though.
Here are some pics
http://www.puppys-place.com/deworming-your-puppy.html

[BullyLover]

I bought a 6 month supply of 21-55lbs advantage off eBay for 30 dollars shipped.....I didn't do any research into buying it off eBay..if it's good or bad...but 30 dollars compared to 70 from 1-800-pet-meds was too good a deal to pass up. the seller had 99.8% positive feedback with 800 sales so....we will see. I got it yesterday and am taking it in to my Vet on Saturday to see if it is fake or defective or something...if it is not....I will buy it from her again....

[PoodleMommy]

Thanks for the sites, I will check them out when I get a chance.

As far as transmitting the tapeworms, my vet and "regular" doctor said it is nearly impossible. I am hoping this is true because puppy loves to lick my face, lay on my pillow, and the works. lol.

Elissa