Re: puppy has fleas...help

In Reply to: puppy has fleas...help
Category:   Medical
Posted by:  Heidi
Posted on:  February 09, 2002 at 16:02:07

: My 12 week old female has fleas...which I expected since I live at the beach. She is too young for any chemical treatment. And I wanted to hold off from a bath until it gets warmer. But maybe it would be better to have her cold for a couple hours than flea ridden. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Response:
-
Dear Heidi,

Turn up the heat in your house, make sure you have plenty of fluffy towels handy and give your puppy a bath (make sure the water is warm, not hot.) Use a shampoo formulated for puppies or for sensitive skin. Please do NOT use a flea shampoo; the detergent in shampoo is sufficient to kill fleas.

If you do not want to give her a bath, you can try using a flea comb. I prefer the small, square plastic version; most pet stores sell them for about a dollar. Have a bowl of soapy water (dish detergent is fine) and a bowl of clean water handy. Run the comb through your terrier's coat, immerse it in the soapy water and then rinse in the clean water; repeat. You have to be quick with this method or the flea will "get away."

Neither method will be effective for long if you don't rid your house of fleas as well. Just be careful what products you use.