Anyone's babies allergic to fleas? So worried!

[PingsMomNiki]

I'm so worried!! Ping was fine last night when we went to bed and this morning I woke up and he had bumps all over his legs, tummy and face... this has happened just about 2 times before but hasnt happened for quite some time. We panicked before when it happened and tried to figure out if he had gotten into something or if he'd eaten something.. it wasn't that. We wondered if he was allergic to grass or mosquitos, ants, fertilizer.. we went through it all.. we ended up thinking maybe he was allergic to ants. Our Vet said we could do blood work and figure out what he's allergic too but it would be a couple hundred dollars and for now as long as we've ruled out his diet and he didnt get into anything there is probably nothing we can do, and benadryl made the bumps go away quickly so we just gave him that...he hasnt had the bumps in about 6 months, then this morning I saw him and I looked all over him and he has fleas.. not a lot but he has them. He's only had fleas a couple times before and everytime I would get him right into flea bath and treat the house so maybe thats why its only happened a couple times [the bumps] I'm pretty convinced it must be the fleas and we've had him on frontline so thats why we havent had a problem but his frontline wore off probably a couple weeks ago. It makes me sick thinking about my baby with those bumps all over him!! It scares me so bad! I was wondering if anyone else's babies are allergic to fleas? I gave him benadryl this morning and I'm going home at lunch to check on him. I hate to think he's allergic to fleas but I'd be so glad if its something that simple because I'll just keep him on frontline all year. Sorry this post is so long i'm so just WORRIED! And I know yall will understand!!

 

[Coco'smommy]

So far I haven't had a problem with Coco. I keep her on Sentinel year round and frontline during the spring/summer months along with the Sentinel. Sentinel is a heartworm/parasite/flea preventative all in one. Kind of pricey but worth it to me. It runs about $75.00 for 6 mos supply.

However, we had a shepard/collie mix when I was a kid. He had terrible reaction to fleas. We lived on a farm and he was an outside dog. (My parents have never had inside pets) IN any case he would get all bumpy and itchy and end up with "hot spots" on his rear quarter and tail. We just had to dip him and keep a flea coller on him all the time. It just took a little extra work to try and keep him comfortable. He almost always ended up with a bald spot on his back end in the summer time, cause he'd itch all the fur off. Their vet never suggested benedryl or anything like that...I bet he would have appreciated it. I would suggest that you get Ping on something regular to keep the fleas off (see what your vet suggests), treat your house thoroughly and your yard as well. A lot of work but necessary.

 

[PingsMomNiki]

Yeah I'm buying stuff to treat the house tonight. I did it awhile back but since he's been on frontline we havent had a problem. i made an appointment at the Vet to get him more frontline. I just got back to work.. i went home and checked on him and the bumps are gone.. that benadryl is a lifesaver. My poor lil guy! Thanks for the tip on the Sentinel.. will ask vet! :D

 

[Coco'smommy]

Oh good...I'm glad Pingy's bumps are all gone. Ya know that must be miserable...can't feel any differant then when a person has an allergic reaction. Well good luck...I hope it works out...as far as the sentinel goes..they are called Sentinel Flavor tabs and Coco likes them alright but does better if you put it in a piece of hot dog or cheese. If we don't, she tends to suck the flavored coating off and spit the actual pill out on the floor....little stinker.

 

[gmacleod]

Garlic is another option, as a natural flea and tick repellent A couple of pieces from a clove per week is about right.

It's not for ridding you of an existing infestation, but very useful in preventing one from occuring. An especially good option if your pup is sensitive to the chemicals in things like Frontline or Sentinel, doesn't have a robust immune system or you just don't like bombarding him with unnecessary chemicals.

 

[Coco'smommy]

This begs a question now...so is Sentinel bad for my Coco? Should I be going a differant route? I trust my vet and that's what he suggested so that what I use but when you said "bombard with unecessary chemicals" Geez that doesn't sound too great so....should I stop the sentinel and give garlic instead?

 

[gmacleod]

Sorry, "bombarded" may not have been the best choice of word But I tend to belong to the school of thought that says give them as little as is necessary when it comes to chemicals and vaccinations.

I note you're giving the Sentinel as a heartworm preventative too - so presumably you'd still have to give something (irrespective of the flea issue). I guess it depends on whether or not using the Sentinel actually means *more* or stronger chemicals into his system than he'd get if you used a heartworm-only med and also on exactly what sort of flea problem you have. If fleas are only a moderate or seasonal problem where you live - then I'd (personally) be inclined to use garlic as a flea deterrent, and treat with Frontline or similar only when/if necessary. If fleas are a bigger problem and year-round then the Sentinel is probably the lesser evil. JMHO

 

[Super Boo]

Sentinel and Frontline work great. Neither of our dogs have ever had any reaction, nor have they ever had a flea or tick. To me, nothing is worse than the itchy reaction of a flea.

 

[PingsMomNiki]

Thanks for all the advice and tips yall.. I worry so much about my baby!! All we have him on his frontline and he gets heartguard i forget the name of it.. but we have a Vet in the family so thats their job!! LOL... they always send us things or call us when its time. [We usually know but its nice for a reminder!!] Those are the only two things we have him on, other than annual vaccinations and such. Do they get garlic breath on the garlic cloves? LOL. I wonder if Ping would eat Garlic.. have to try. We give him breath freshening treats, maybe they would overpower garlic! Thankfully with the fleas.. he's only gotten them about 4-5 times in his life, the bumps have only happened about 3 times now. This is the first time he's had fleas or the bumps in about 6 months. I'm so glad the bumps are gone! Yall have a good night!

 

[PingsMomNiki]

If we don't, she tends to suck the flavored coating off and spit the actual pill out on the floor....little stinker.

SOUNDS LIKE MY PING-A-LING!! LOL :D