Fleas??

[SilverSage]

We made a HUGE mistake by treating our dog with an over the counter flea and tick prevention. Result? FLEAS!! We found them last night. 2 hours of Dawn dish soap bath and picking them off one by one, and he is now treated with Frontline like he should have been t start with. The problem? I bring my new birds home tomorrow. There is not another option, the breeder won't keep them any longer, we have $400 already down on them, she has held them for 6 weeks now. We have rugs, but none in the room the birds will be in, also the only furniture is hard, and they are of course not where the dog can reach them, but I am worried about the birds getting fleas. Any suggestions?? His Frontline only ran out about 2 weeks ago, which is when we treated him with Hartz Ultra Guard, which apparently did NOTHING. According to the Frontline timeline, all the fleas on him should be dead tonight, but I really don't know much about fleas, even after 15 years of dogs, cats, birds, and even a couple of rabbits in my house - this is the first time fleas have been an issue. I looked at all 4 pet stores in town to see if there was anything, and they only had stuff for lice and mites, and the employees were clueless and unhelpful. How do I protect my birds??

 

[Merlee]

I do not think you have anything to worry about. I have had fleas in my house and never had a problem with the birds getting them. Just be sure to wash your hands after administering the topical and handling the dog the first few days.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I have to use advantage on my dog. It's the only think that kills our flea problem. Also if you can get you hands on some tea tree oil (meleluca) and mix it with your doggie shampoo or the shampoo you use, the tea tree will kill them or at least slow them down. Down the drain they go. Then when the dog is completely dry I treat with Advantage. This year was especially bad for us here in San Diego. I just ordered a supply from 1800PetMeds and it's October!

PS. Rio and kiwi are completely unaffected.

 

[SilverSage]

We have always used Frontline and had no problems. My brother adopted a dog and decided to buy the Ultra Guard. Keep in mind, we come from South Dakota, the flee (and disease!) issues there are NOTHING like they are here in Georgia. Well he accidentally left the stuff here when he went back to SD, and said we could use it. We treated Ranger on time, but the stuff seems to have had no effect. We have treated him with Frontline again now, and the fleas ON HIM should be dead by tonight, it is the ones in the house that worry me.

 

[crimson]

please remember to treat the environment as well, with a good flea spray.
wash all his bedding, blankets, favourite places to lay etc...

we've had fleas here as well, but on our guinea pigs, I swear it was well over 500 of them!!

I just about flipped!!

We used a excellent flea spray in the room which was at the other end of our house, away from our birds, and it worked wonders.
we managed to eliminate the fleas in about a months time, treated the guinea pigs, and all is good. At the time it was stressful, but in time you won't have any, your birds will be fine....try not to stress!, and enjoy bringing your birds home

 

[MikeyTN]

I have to use advantage on my dog. It's the only think that kills our flea problem. Also if you can get you hands on some tea tree oil (meleluca) and mix it with your doggie shampoo or the shampoo you use, the tea tree will kill them or at least slow them down. Down the drain they go. Then when the dog is completely dry I treat with Advantage. This year was especially bad for us here in San Diego. I just ordered a supply from 1800PetMeds and it's October!

PS. Rio and kiwi are completely unaffected.

What the OP used, Dawn Dish Soap, during bathing by leaving the product in for 5 min actually kills off all the fleas! It also doesn't dry their skin out. It's what I've been using for quite a few years now. Then after 24 hrs of dry period then I treat with frontline plus and it zapped all the fleas and none to be seen after a week later. And we were badly infested with fleas with three dogs.

 

[MikeyTN]

We have always used Frontline and had no problems. My brother adopted a dog and decided to buy the Ultra Guard. Keep in mind, we come from South Dakota, the flee (and disease!) issues there are NOTHING like they are here in Georgia. Well he accidentally left the stuff here when he went back to SD, and said we could use it. We treated Ranger on time, but the stuff seems to have had no effect. We have treated him with Frontline again now, and the fleas ON HIM should be dead by tonight, it is the ones in the house that worry me.

When we were badly infested with fleas, none ever bother with my birds. It'll take about a week to two weeks for you to really see a world of difference in your home after treatment. And see full result after you treat the following month. There would be none to be seen. This year fleas have been horrible!!!! And I dealt with flea issues in South Dakota as well when I had to watch my roommate's sister's dog who brought fleas over. I had to deal with ticks more then fleas in South Dakota.

 

[Abigal7]

My dog had been attacked by fleas after I used a flea treatment I bought in a store. I now use Frontline Plus but am thinking of using Dawn Dish Soap before his next flea treatment. I will also keep the flea treatment Advantage in mind. My groomer told me this time of year is the worse since the fleas are trying to find a meal before winter. The fleas did not seem to attack my bird.

 

[Abigal7]

I have to use advantage on my dog. It's the only think that kills our flea problem. Also if you can get you hands on some tea tree oil (meleluca) and mix it with your doggie shampoo or the shampoo you use, the tea tree will kill them or at least slow them down. Down the drain they go. Then when the dog is completely dry I treat with Advantage. This year was especially bad for us here in San Diego. I just ordered a supply from 1800PetMeds and it's October!

PS. Rio and kiwi are completely unaffected.

What the OP used, Dawn Dish Soap, during bathing by leaving the product in for 5 min actually kills off all the fleas! It also doesn't dry their skin out. It's what I've been using for quite a few years now. Then after 24 hrs of dry period then I treat with frontline plus and it zapped all the fleas and none to be seen after a week later. And we were badly infested with fleas with three dogs.

I am going to try that. Just to make sure is it the blue colored dawn that is the one that is good for animals? Or does it not matter as long as it is Dawn Dish Soap.

 

[Zumaria]

All good tips above!

Wash your hands after using the medication is the big one. Also - don't just wash everything you can but vacuum too! Couch cushions etc.

 

[MikeyTN]

I have to use advantage on my dog. It's the only think that kills our flea problem. Also if you can get you hands on some tea tree oil (meleluca) and mix it with your doggie shampoo or the shampoo you use, the tea tree will kill them or at least slow them down. Down the drain they go. Then when the dog is completely dry I treat with Advantage. This year was especially bad for us here in San Diego. I just ordered a supply from 1800PetMeds and it's October!

PS. Rio and kiwi are completely unaffected.

What the OP used, Dawn Dish Soap, during bathing by leaving the product in for 5 min actually kills off all the fleas! It also doesn't dry their skin out. It's what I've been using for quite a few years now. Then after 24 hrs of dry period then I treat with frontline plus and it zapped all the fleas and none to be seen after a week later. And we were badly infested with fleas with three dogs.

I am going to try that. Just to make sure is it the blue colored dawn that is the one that is good for animals? Or does it not matter as long as it is Dawn Dish Soap.

I use the original which is the blue one. Every bottle you buy they donate money towards wild life savings fund. It's what they use during oil spills on all animals including birds!