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Flea Allergy

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • J

    Hollie had a flea allergy (caught it before it became an infection) a couple of months ago. She has begun scratching and chewing again, and starting to lose a little hair around her tail and under her tail.:eek:

    Being the over-protective parent that I am, I have already scheduled a vet appointment for tomorrow. They will check her out, confirm my suspicions and we will leave there with prescription and front-line.

    I just feel sooo bad for her, scratching all the time. The fleas have been horrible here this year. I typically put front-line on Hollie 3 months a year during the summer. This year I have used 6 already. I don't like putting so much front-line on her, but my vet doesn't recommend any of home remedies (garlic, cidar vinegar in water, dawn detergent for baths, etc. – DO Any of these worK???)

    Has anyone else had a horrid flea problem this year? :confused:

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  • dashD

    I have not had fleas since frontline was released until this year. I used it as soon as I saw one but it doesn't seem to have the same effect it used to. Maybe the fleas are getting immune to it. I may switch to something else. I hate fleas.

    Jennifer

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    Tyler and Zoey's dermatologist (who has been treating their ringworm) prescribed monthly topical for fleas (they are already on the pills–Sentinel). Zoey is allergic to fleas. I wanted to just use it if they had fleas, but the dr told me I should keep them on it year round......there is also a pill that can be used when the topicals don't work. I forget the name of it--it's only used when really necessary.

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  • QuercusQ

    So you use both a topical and an ingestible at the same time! Hmm…didn't know you could do that!

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    @Quercus:

    So you use both a topical and an ingestible at the same time! Hmm…didn't know you could do that!

    Oh yes–I've done it periodically over the years--on the advice of my vet. The ingestible works differently than the topical--I believe it sterilizes the fleas, but the topicals kill the fleas. So if there's an infestation, you use the topical to get rid of them fast, and the ingestible helps for maintenance. Sentinel also is their heart worm pill.

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  • tanzaT

    @MaxBooBooBear:

    Oh yes–I've done it periodically over the years--on the advice of my vet. The ingestible works differently than the topical--I believe it sterilizes the fleas, but the topicals kill the fleas. So if there's an infestation, you use the topical to get rid of them fast, and the ingestible helps for maintenance. Sentinel also is their heart worm pill.

    I would be worried with "overload" of a pill and topical?….

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • TivaT

    My Zara (terrier mix) is alergic to fleas, too. Before, I was doing like jenwilson (put frontline during the summer etc.), but few years ago (in December), Zara scratched her armpits, they were so swollen, and Zara was barely walking… Vet immediately put on Zara stronghold, and next day I found one dead flea on Zara... Vet told me to put frontline on Zara every month and it works.

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  • MaxBooBooBearM

    @tanza:

    I would be worried with "overload" of a pill and topical?….

    I was worried when it was first recommended–but my vet said it was fine. And the dermatologist was pretty adamant that with Zoey's flea allergy, that the topical in addition to the Sentinel should be used year round. I've never had any problems with any of the 3 Bs I've done this with--but it may depend on the dog.

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  • S

    I remeber that the powder 20 mule team borax is it even around now?? sprinkled in the carpets and then vaccumed up, would kill and of the flea eggs that were in it.
    I have used it and it works…
    But since the frontline, have had no need.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • basenjiboy20B

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  • R

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    If you can video her while she is doing this, it might help a vet to diagnose, if indeed it is small seizure-type activity.
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    I did have a Westie in the past that had severe allergies to….storagemites, which is in every dogfood that has been stored for a few weeks or more, i.e every food known to man, so he was on the raw diet, did great, he was also severly allergic to fleas, or the saliva from the fleas and to mold/mildew, which living in houston Tx there is a lot of. Poor guy was miserable, until we did the raw diet and decided to keep him inside all the time, when the other dogs went out to play he had to stay in..and it is funny he wanted to go out and the other dogs wanted to come in...figures. The few foods out there that are supposedly good for allergies according to my vet is grainfree ones, Dick Van Pattens sweet potatoe and duck, I believe was one of the ones he recommended. Try to keep the ingredients list as small as possible, cleaner food means less irritants. Just like our food, the less junk we eat the better we feel... Good Luck, I know how hard it is with a dog that clearly is bothered by something and you don't know how to help it. I do know that Petco and Petsmart here in Texas will take food back even though the bag has been opened, which is nice if you are having to try various/numerous different brands until you find what works. Basenjimamma
  • nobarkusN

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    @MacPack: We are in Florida and some years fleas are terrible in the summer. We use either Advantage or Frontline when we start to see a few fleas, and re-apply when we start to see fleas again, usually about every 6 weeks through the summer and fall. I have used it on an 18 year old with no problems. I feel that the problems fleas can cause outweigh the occasional use of a fairly benign chemical, and certainly keep the dogs more comfortable! If we lived where fleas were not a big problem, I would try some of the more natural remedies. Anne in Tampa You have an 18 year old? Wow how is he or she doing? I had a Tri color many years ago live to be 17-1/2.
  • Ninabeana26N

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    Both my sons have allergies diagnosed by a professional allergist and do fine with Basenjis. We have just got our 3rd B two weeks ago and no sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes. I think for you that it MUST be something the dog is bringing in or perhaps your dog is one that performs one particular way and my family lucked out with 3 of the other way. Maybe someday they will have a test like the Fanconi that shows the DNA of this family tree has more dander and the DNA of that heritage has less dander to near none. I do agree with the smart person that has posted on this site the best idea I have ever heard: rub a t-shirt all over the possible family addition, sleep with the t-shirt, and THEN decide. I know it is too late for you but a good thing to repost for readers. Good luck with your situation.