Fleas

[Deleted]

I noticed my dog had fleas about three weeks ago and gave her a Frontline application at that time. At first her scratching reduced, but in the past few days she is scratching like crazy. When she last had fleas 3 years ago the Frontline seemed to work immediately, but now I'm not sure.

I have two more doses to give her, for three total.   The weight range is 44-88 pounds, and she is 80 pounds.  Is the dose not thoroughly covering her body?

I'm vacuuming all the time. Has anyone used Capstar?  Is it safe and does it work well?  I know it only kills adult fleas and not the eggs, but I would like her to have some relief from the itching. 

[doglove]

You can apply again after 3 weeks. Honestly, in some areas frontline just doesn't work because the fleas have become immune to it. Did you give her a bath? maybe try a different topical like advantage.

Capstar is okay but it only works on a 24 hour basis so you have to administer it every day. There is a pill form called Comfortis that is given every 30 days and also a pill that includes heartworm meds too. You should talk to your vet before deciding on these options.

[mrsd2006]

Never had any luck with Frontline and switched to Comfortis a few years ago. No problems at all.

[Deleted]

Yeah, the Frontline was a bust, so we got her some Capstar, which was mostly ineffective as well. At that point I went to the vet and asked for a prescription for Comfortis, but they instead recommended a new oral med called Bravecto, which is supposed to work for 3 months. This one is effective, I think. She's hardly scratching at all now and there are no live fleas on her. I've been vacuuming every few days, and she had two baths in the past few weeks. Hoping now the problem is solved. Next spring I'll consider getting Comfortis as a preventative so she doesn't pick up fleas again.

[riverpestie]

Have you tried diatomaceous earth?

[Deleted]

I didn't get the diatomaceous earth. I think the fleas are gone at this point. She isn't scratching anymore, just nibbling at some of her scabs (which I try to stop her from doing).