Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ok, so this post isn't about Barret, but his quadpaw sister, Sara.
I was on vacation last week and returned Saturday to find that my pet sitter had a serious flea infestation in her home. Yay.
I had Advantage II at home so they got a dose of that the minute we got home but the damage was already done. Sara has a flea saliva allergy. Even one flea bite makes her miserably itchy.
Here's what I've been doing so far:
1. Advantage II applied at 2pm Saturday. "Kills fleas in 12 hours" - confirmed, had tons of dead fleas on my floors. YUCK!
2. Sara has been getting 25 mg benadryl 2x daily (she is 30lbs) since I got home.
3. Flea combed all the dogs at 3pm and 8pm Saturday, again on Sunday morning - no fleas found Sunday.
4. Sunday afternoon: Vacuumed, cleaned and washed everything possible to get rid of eggs. Will do this again tonight.
5. I'm planning on buying some medicated shampoo or oatmeal shampoo this afternoon to ease the itch. It's been 48 hrs since applying the Advantage, so I can bathe her now. (Any suggestions on the brand - Zymox has a shampoo, as does Bayer and Earthbath.. and like 10 others!)
The poor girl is miserable. She just lays in her crate and scratches and bites and licks herself. She has a big hot spot patch on the base of her tail I am trying to keep clean so it doesn't become infected. I just wish I could make her feel better faster.
I've never had her allergy become this bad before, likely because I make it a point to keep my guys and environment flea free. She's had a flea or two before, but never this many. I literally stopped counting at 30... only on one dog. I didn't count the ones on Barret or Gatsby. I'm itchy. Those poor dogs.
Feeling like such a crappy mom.
Any tips appreciated,
Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Aww, Heather... It's not your fault. Flea allergies are horrible both emotionally and physically. After dealing with them on my own older golden and in every hospital I've worked at, I've developed a method to help stop the itch.
Going the vet visit route: Injection of steroids followed by either Temaril-P or Prednisone and antibiotics to go home with for a few weeks. Medicated shampoo such as Pharmaseb or Comfort (by AnmPharm) to use twice a week. Shave the hotspot.
Staying at home route: If you have a clipper at home, gently shave the irritated area and clean with warm water or a chlorhexadine solution (regular soap stings). It's always worth calling your vet to ask for a shampoo through them to use as well- prescription shampoos and sprays work far better than any oatmeal base I've tried.
But more than anything, remember this: If it's red and wet then it's infected! It's okay to manage minor issues at home but oral antibiotics will knock that spot out faster than anything else.
Hope your baby feels better soon!
Mandy and Maverick
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
First of all.....YOU are one of the BEST moms in the world and those pups are mighty lucky to have you as their advocate!
Fleas can be picked up anywhere.....vets, on walks....anywhere! And, if a dog doesn't have a flea allergy, a mild infestation may not even be noticed.
I've had one dog in the past, and one now, with flea allergy. I hate to say, but I eventually had to resort to either a steroid shot periodically in the worst summer moths, or a low dose of prednisone every other day (starting off higher dose and tapering off). Now in m case, I live "slmehwat " in the country znd have the privilege of living with all the joys of wildlife...deer, squirrels, raccoons, opposums,etc. Probavly the biggest source is infestation is the feral cat colonty I try to feed, spay and neuter "m sure my fields and woods have plenty of ittle critters such as fleas.as well.
I do keep all the dogs on Avantix II and everything I've tried.....herbs, garlic, natural repellents, this seems to be the one that works best. I would LOVE to find something natural if anyone has a success story! Soooooo, this works fr js but I still have to keep the allergic one off and on a low dose of the pred just because smehw, smeway, one fle will f d it's way t her! Supposedly the "allery prone" are the ones the f,eas pick out first!
D't think I was uch help......oh.....here anyway.....IF we navw a rough winter, that does seem to take care of the flea
roblem tnrough the summmer.....kt's must when the winters are mild they can go nuts! Of course' tripawds do NOT need a rough winter!
Hugs to yo and all the ack!
Sallh and Happy Hannan
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
mavericksmom said
But more than anything, remember this: If it's red and wet then it's infected! It's okay to manage minor issues at home but oral antibiotics will knock that spot out faster than anything else.
Thanks! Aww shucks - it is red and wet. I was hoping to avoid financing yet another addition to my vet's office, LOL. I'll see how it looks tonight when I get home, but I am getting the feeling a vet visit may be in our future... again. This is definitely something new for us.. she's had minor issues in the past but I guess me being gone over a week put this one over the edge of "diy" treatments.
Thanks for the advice!
Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Can't help with eliminating the fleas, but one of the best products I found for easing the itch is Vet's Best Hot Spot spray. You can get it online or at Petco, and probably Petsmart. It's all natural and the active ingredient is tea tree oil.
Trouble would roll over and let me spray her belly, so it must ease the itch quickly.
Also call your vet and ask about giving an over the counter antihistamine. There are several that are safe for dogs. It may help get her past the crisis period she is experiencing.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Obie has skin and environmental allergies- so a little different.
He weighs about 16 lbs and he gets 25 mg benadryl 3 times a day when his symptoms are bad. I can also put in a good word for Temaril-p. We use that when the benadryl doesn't work, maybe 3 or 4 times a year. It does have pred in it so be sure Sara isn't taking a NSAID. We do every other day for about two weeks- don't need to taper on or off and side effects are limited- maybe a little extra drinking and peeing.
I hope Sara is feeling better soon.
Karen
Most of the time only a steroid of some sort will stop the itch. There are some cortisone sprays such as Dermacool-HC and Genesis spray but if the whole dog is itchy then your vet might need to dispense an oral form. Temaril-P is indeed the mildest since the prednisone dose is low and the antihistamine is a prescription strength.
Steroid shots do work but they tend to hit the dog with a high dose and then wear off over 5 days or so. As long as your dog does not have issues with steroids such as vomiting and diarrhea they are safe. However if a dog does have issues then you just have to wait it out since the steroid has to be metabolized.
Oatmeal shampoos often work well especially if you let the suds stay on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Many oatmeal shampoos also have aloe to help with healing.
Pam
Diatomaceous earth!!! The fleas eat it and they die. It's inert dirt, basically, Sprinkle it ALL over your home and on your pup. Don't vacuum. It should help!
http://www.theb.....rth-fleas/
http://vetmedic.....ontrol.htm
http://www.only.....99013.aspx
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Heather that sounds horrible, I'm so sorry! It's amazing, you feed them so well and are so conscientious and still those little evil fleas appear.
I agree with Jackson's Mom, try the diatomaceous earth. We wrote an article about flea problems and mentioned it here in the Nutrition blog a while back. Hope it helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone!
Rene- I know, I try to go as natural as I can and nothing... I can't seem to stay out of that vet's office!
I had my Mother-in-Law (aka Pet Sitter) use diatomaceous earth a few months ago and she thought it cleared up the issue. I guess not. Discussion with my vet said that yes, the diatomaceous earth can reduce the population of the eggs and fleas, but the pupae are resistant to everything... even the stuff the exterminator uses. As soon as a new body comes along, it hatches and latches on. Sara just happens to be allergic to flea saliva so her reaction was worse than my boys. He is recommending that patients with recurring flea infestations use Trifexis, followed by Advantage II or Frontline Plus after 2 weeks, repeated for 3 months because the fleas are THAT BAD in our area right now. Can't wait for a good freeze!
Update on Sara: I bathed her last night in Zymox medicated shampoo and conditioner. Actually, I bathed everyone in it, but it did not ease Sara's itch. It did lather and smell nice though 
I shaved her hot spot and was using Vetericyn on it to treat the infection without antibiotics (I seriously can't live without that stuff for minor cuts and scrapes, even helped keep Barret's incision clean and infection free).
Last night she was up ALL NIGHT scratching and biting herself, so this morning we went to the vet's office. He gave her an injection of Vetalog (steroid) for the itching and antibiotics for the hotspot. $97. Hopefully this does the trick!
Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement. It SUCKS not be able to make your kid feel better asap.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Heather have you ever consulted a holistic vet about this?
I hope today isn't nearly as itchy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Heather have you ever consulted a holistic vet about this?
I hope today isn't nearly as itchy!
No, I haven't.. but honestly this is the very first time she's had an allergic reaction. Actually, it is the first time she's had fleas since we rescued her from the nasty place she was living in as a pup. Definitely something to look into if it continues, but only positive thoughts here!!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Pawsitive thoughts coming your way!
Yeah if it continues that would be my next step. I just like the way holistic vets think outside of conventional practices.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ouchy! I hope her new injection helps. I understand the DE won't impact all life stages of fleas, but it may be worthwhile dumping it throughout your home, blankets, couches, etc. Her topical and internal meds will address more stages of flea development, but you can't go around and drop Frontline, etc on the carpets and rugs. DE can help.
Good luck! Oh, I feel your frustration.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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