I'm gonna break down and get regular flea treatment

[Critters2]

for the beagle. You know, the topical kind. She's miserable. We've never had this problem before, but it needs to stop. Anyone know which kind is least toxic, and especially safest around the cats?

Once we get it under control, maybe we can use DE and other things for maintenance. But we need to solve the problem now.

[Kali]

1. 20 years ago when I worked at a pet store Zodiac was a good company

and the collars were water resistant (and the only ones on the market at the time that were)

I haven't tried them, but the systemic stuff is supposed to be pretty effective (the kind of thing you put a few drops along the back) I know a lot of livestock producers like the stuff for cattle. Personally I don't use it)

I remember one year we had a horrible time with fleas in August - it was a very wet summer that year, and we were house sitting for some friends - meanwhile our house got majorly infested - and we (including the dog) weren't even there! I don't remember what we did - probably those canned "bombs" you set off and leave for a few hours.

I do know if you are going to bother with treating the animal or house you are better off doing all three - the yard, the house and the pet. And try to get the neighbors to do their yards as well. Otherwise they will likely be back until it freezes. And vacuum vacuum vacuum. They hatch periodically.

Finally - are you POSITIVE it is fleas? Have you seen them?

[Critters2]

2. Yes, I've seen them. Crawling down the white stripe on the beagle's nose

Poor girl. One of the cats is scratching now, too--the one who's always been less than perfectly healthy. The other two seem fine. I know dogs are pretty strong, but cats react badly to a lot of the flea meds. And one of my cats sleeps with the beagle, grooms her, is with her constantly. So I need to get something that's safe for them both.

Oh, and we were using Advantage when this all started. So, that didn't seem to work. I know the local pet supply place carries Zodiac. Maybe I'll get that. Thanks!!

[Connonym]

3. In a lifetime of having dogs we never had a problem until this year

I'm using Top Spot on my dogs and they've had a couple bites here and there they haven't gotten it really bad like my housemates' dogs. My vet said the itching can last for weeks after the fleas are gone :( It's a real pain in a house with multiple pets. Hope you and your critters can get rid of it soon.

[Kali]

7. yes cats are much more sensitive to chemicals (partly because they lick themselves more)

but on the collars they will have specific formulas for each species. Some animals react to these things anyway so watch closely.

And like someone said below - the itching will continue for a while after the bites occur. Are they biting you too? (typically around the ankles - especially if you walk into a room that has been unoccupied for a while - the little bastards will be hungry) Flea bites are itchy sonsofguns, that is for sure. Good luck and read and follow directions on any of the chemicals you try. More is NOT better.

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. It's a slow day if no one's giving you crap about the self-referential thread title!

Oh, "9/11"...that's it.

[mtnester]

5. You know, the headline of the OP leaves LOTS of room

for fun dontcha?

:)

Got fleas do ya?

[Critters2]

8. LOL!!! You'd think I'd know better by now! nt

[China_cat]

6. Frontline Plus, Advantage or Advantix

Frontline lasts longer (we have heavy fleas in the area and use it, at most, 3 times a year) and is more waterproof than Advantage or Advantix. Advantix is especially good if you also have ticks.

For immediate relief, ask your vet for a dose of Capstar. Kills all fleas on the animal immediately. Wash with regular shampoo to remove eggs and apply the topical to the dry dog to keep them from coming back.

It works. We fought fleas with everything you can think of for years before Frontline became available and barely made a dent. Since Frontline, no fleas and we've had no bad experiences even with a dog who was seriously ill (vet recommended flea preventative to keep him comfortable), cats with diabetes and we've been through 12-14 animals since the inception of these treatments.

The effectiveness is worth the cost. Try it just once and see for yourself.

[DeepBlueC]

9. total agreement

Frontline saves lives, mine for one.

[Critters2]

10. She was on Advantage when this outbreak began.

I put it on her on the first of August, and we had fleas by the middle of the month. So, call me skeptical. I've never tried Frontline, though. So, maybe it's worth a try. I remember that when I fostered kittens we always started them with Capstar, because it was supposed to be safer for them than anything else.

Thanks!

[Critters2]

11. I just picked up Frontline.

I didn't realize it works for three months. I figured it was a once a month kind. The three month thing certainly makes the price seem a bit more reasonable.

I went with Frontline, because the EPA has approved both chemicals in it for dogs and cats. Not that I altogether trust the EPA, but why would anyone with both dogs and cats put something on their dog that's consider a danger to cats?

Anyway, I applied it to the beagle over my lunch hour. I sure as hell hope it works!! Advantage didn't. Thanks for the advice!

[China_cat]

12. I hope it works for you, too.

There's nothing worse than a pet in misery and the family being affected, too.

Like I said, we apply about 3 times a year in heavy times. Some years it's been only twice. And my dogs are a lot bigger (and hairier) than your beagle.