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Noregrets1986 · May 28, 2011, 01:06 PM

I got a lab puppy 4 days ago. Today I noticed a flea(1) but didn't see any others. I know there have to be more either in the house or on the dog but I haven't seen any. I also have 2 other dogs and I know they don't have fleas so I have been keeping them separated. What should I do to be sure to prevent any chance of a flea outbreak? Should I bathe her with dawn dish soap? Do I need too treat the whole house?

JudyKayTee · May 28, 2011, 01:09 PM

Fleas jump - my guess would be that if there is one flea in your house, there are more and it is almost impossible to keep your other dogs from being infested.

How old is the puppy?

I like this site: How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Puppy | The Daily Puppy

I would not use any pesticide in your house when you have a young puppy.

You will be taking the puppy to the Vet for a check up and, possibly, some shots. Ask the Vet what he/she recommends for the puppy and the other dogs.

Aurora_Bell · May 28, 2011, 01:33 PM

I would bath the pup in Dawn dish soap, making sure the water is warm and he doesn't get a chill. Vacuum regularly, and wash the floors. Make sure to vacuum base boards and corners very well. Vacuum any furniture and wipe down with a warm cloth, vacuum drapes as well. Wash all your dogs bedding and toys in hot water.

You should also treat your other dogs with something like Revolution or Advantage. It's quite cheap but you have to get it from the vet. Make sure you know your dogs weight going in there. They may be able to advise something safe to use on your pup.

Good luck!

Aurora_Bell · May 28, 2011, 01:36 PM

I also forgot to mention that fleas and worms usually go hand in hand with one another in puppies.
So it would be best to get a flea/worm product from your vet. If you choose to treat the other two with the Revolution or Advantage, it will get rid of any chance of worms the other dogs may have come in contact with. Make sure to clean all feces in the yard as soon as possible. Parasite eggs can live in soil for many years. Also remember to vaccinate for Parvo as soon as possible. It's the leading puppy killer and seems to be running rampant these days.

JudyKayTee · May 28, 2011, 01:47 PM

Aurorabell, would you address the question of a whole house pesticide treatment? I'm not 100% sure it's not a good idea - I'm 99.9% but not 100%.

Aurora_Bell · May 28, 2011, 02:25 PM

I'm with you on the household pesticide, not 100% sure on what would be safe. I can only recommend that they ask their vet on what to use. I would hate too see an accidental poisoning. One home remedy we have always used was Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil. I make a solution of 1-2 ounce glasses filled with the oil to a bucket (usually a gallon bucket) of warm water. I wash my floors and run an old mop soaked in it over my carpets and couches. I have also used this product directly on my pups and older dogs when we would go to the beach to keep sand fleas at bay. Just soak a coloth in the solution and wipe your dog down with it. We use this at the shelters for cats, kittens, puppies and dogs.

Another thing my family members have sworn by was apple cider vinegar. Adding a table spoon to an ADULT/OLDER dogs diet kept fleas and ticks away.We use this at the shelters as well. Also pine cedar chips around the home help keep fleas away. We have also used borax and salt in a pinch around the house to absorb the moisture and kill the fleas. We would sprinkle it in the cracks out side and along the baseboards in doors, on the carpets and in the corners, leave it for a few days and then vacuumed up the left over's.

paleophlatus · May 29, 2011, 02:59 AM

Let's see, you have two other dogs in the house and don't believe they have fleas? The pup brought his own fleas to the house.

It takes some time before you have a flea outbreak in a house, if there have not been any fleas, to speak of,in the house before. The outbreak is the result of a couple month's unrestrained multiplication by the animal's fleas. The easiest way to control that from happening is to use flea products that kill fleas and also retard development of the flea eggs. Your vet is your best source for advice on which one to use. Fleas get into the house riding on your animals, or your clothes, if you have a buildup in your yard. Female fleas lay eggs (up to 20 a day) on the pet, which then drop off... indoors or outdoors, depending. In a few days the eggs hatch into a larval stage which spins a cocoon and develops for several weeks to months before becoming part of the flea problem.