Fleas-

[mar5195]

Just got a little puppy under a month ago. She was given Advantix for her fleas. My question is my husband and I both have 3 flea bites on us. We found one flea on her Saturday but so far I haven't seen anymore. I think the flea we found was from the grass we were sitting on but anyway how do I know if I'm infested with fleas do you see them or feel them? I've never had an indoor dog so I'm a little confused. I didn't feel any of these bites. I'm going to wash all our sheets and vacuum and mop our floors but is they anything else I can do to make sure we don't have fleas?

And if we did have a flea situation (even minor) how would I know??

[Peppy]

I can't answer the large majority of your questions, because I have never had a flea issue. But--you said that your puppy was given Advantix when you got her. Advantix can prevent fleas' eggs from hatching, and it can repel fleas, but it doesn't necessarily kill live fleas that are already on the dog. There is something, however, called a Capstar pill, that kills live fleas on a dog. Usually, when the rescue group I volunteer with rescues an animal, they give it a Capstar pill, then follow that up with Advantix. That should do the trick.

So if you think you have live fleas, you might want to look into a Capstar pill for your puppy (definitely ask a vet to make sure it is safe).

[mar5195]

The dog is a rescue and she did receive capstar. We've bathed her twice so I'm not sure if that makes any difference.

I've just been watching for new bites on us and we haven't gotten any so I think it may have been a spider or something. It's just really weird because i always get bit and never thing much of it but my DH never has bites and since he had them I suspected it might be fleas.

[jesvet]

Peppy- Actually Advantage does kill adult fleas, absolutely. Advantix is Advantage plus a tick killing pesticide. Perhaps you are thinking of Program? Capstar is very quick at killing fleas but it only lasts a few hours.

mar5195- The bugger about fleas is that they live a good portion of their life cycle in carpeting and upholstery, so even if your dog is flea free, if the larvae are in the environment you can indeed have fleas in the house. It stinks. If you do notice it continues to be a problem, you may need to do a deep cleaning of the house- vacuum all rugs and upholstery (a lot of people put flea powder in the vacuum bag) or even do a flea bomb. It doesn't sound like you are at that point, though (fortunately!)

[JamBray]

Here's something to try to see if you have fleas or not -
Get a baking pan with raised edges. Place it on the floor in the area of infestation. Fill the pan with soapy water (liquid dish washing soap works perfect). Place a light directly over the pan. Go to bed. The next morning you will be surprised to see how many fleas will be in the water.

You could also sprinkle your rugs with Borax and leave it there for about a week, then vacuum.

[mar5195]

Thanks girls. Now I'm pretty sure we are not suffering from an infestation. So far no more bites and I check the dog every day and she's clean. We give her her next dose of flea stuff on Sunday.

We mop and vaccum the floor on a pretty regular basis (every weekend) and we've been cleaning the carpets quite a bit. Foxy pup is still working on telling us when she has to go out side. :)