Flea Treatment Recommendations?

[olliesmama24]

Good afternoon, everyone!

Oliver has been battling fleas for quite a while, and our veterinarian believes he has a flea allergy that’s causing significant skin irritation.

He was previously on Simparica Trio, but unfortunately it caused diarrhea, so we had to discontinue it. We recently switched him to Revolution and have been using Capstar occasionally when needed, but it doesn’t seem to be making much of a difference.

Has anyone dealt with a flea-allergic Sheltie and found a treatment that worked well? We’d really appreciate any recommendations or experiences you can share. Thank you!

 

[Piper's mom]

A few years ago my three had fleas. I used the Natures Specialty Neem oil shampoo which I then followed up with a conditioner (it was a Natures Specialty brand but I don’t recall which one, might’ve been aloe). Piper and Finnie I believe were on a pill form of medication but I don’t recall the name…Blueberry was on the Revolution.
I also used diatomaceous earth on the carpet and vacuumed often (and bought the spray bombs).

Have you considered putting vitamin E on the irritated skin? That’s what the vet had suggested I use if Blueberry had any irritation from the Revolution.
I wish you luck…it must be terribly irritating for him!

 

[Sharon7]

While I don't have experience with flea allergic dogs, I use Credelio. It works wonderfully well and no apparent reactions from my dogs. Works on ticks as well. Poor Oliver; being itchy like that is miserable.

 

[Ann]

That is tough, your poor boy. I don't have a treatment recommendation for you but I'd consult a canine dermatologist at this point. Continued trying different treatments may not solve the problem and might increase his irritation. My Flurry had skin allergies as a puppy and after a few years of trying things with my vet I took her to a dermatologist and it was the best thing I did. She's allergy free now and her skin problems are history. I hope you find a solution.

 

[Ron Atkinson]

My Vet Clinic is now promoting Bravecto Quantum. A once a year injection for flea and ticks.
My Vet isn't really happy that I'm not ready to jump from what I have been currently doing with Teddy. I am not going to change until I know more about it. But I hear it is the latest and greatest, Any thoughts to change my mind??

 

[Calliesmom]

My Vet Clinic is now promoting Bravecto Quantum. A once a year injection for flea and ticks.
My Vet isn't really happy that I'm not ready to jump from what I have been currently doing with Teddy. I am not going to change until I know more about it. But I hear it is the latest and greatest, Any thoughts to change my mind??

once a year? what if your dog is allergic to something in the injection? monthly stuff at least they have a chance to process it in 4 weeks...................................

 

[Ann]

Call me cautious, but I don't like anything I have to put into my dog that's going to last for a year, especially something that's new and widely untried. As Calliesmom said, if your dog has a reaction, there's nothing you can do about it. You can't bathe it off. I've even heard a ton of horror stories about alot of the ingested flea/tick meds to the point that I won't eve use Nexguard. I'm sticking with my spot-on that I can control when and how often I use it, and give the dog a bath if there's a reaction.

 

[woof]

There are other systemics out there like nextgard that he may tolerate better. Since they have long fur collars don't work as well on Shelites. Some people dust their dog or make them smell like pepperment but fleas are pretty tenacious and seem to go thru just about any shield we put up. I hate systemics but until cold winter I use them and we have had no flea problems nor tick problems on the dogs. I have found dead ticks in their fur before. I remember in the old days having to fog the house every so often -what a pain that was and still we would get bit on the ankles by fleas-- now we don't. My wife is just now recovering from a 7 week bout of Babesiosis which is a tick born protozoan, it was brutal and is still but getting better. We have ticks everywhere, dogs have been fine but I know they bring them in on their fur - once they bite the dog they are done but some fall off. I have had 2 embedded in me so far this year not sure were they came from and last year was treated for Lymes.. Oh the fun of tick and flea season.