Fleas

[tildesaz]

Hi guys- back here again! Ezzy is 10 now- almost 11 but has just relapsed again. We think due to fleas. We treat our other animals and that usually keeps them at bay- had baby number 3 last year and haven't been as on it this year apparently.
Have searched the old posts and found one from Jo but the link didn't work anymore.
What can we use naturally to help? Have been combing with shampoo and lots of baths- hoovering and washing bedding lots too. Just don't seem to be winning. PCV was 23 last week so hopefully we've caught it early enough to help her 😭

[Catherine]

I did a quick search on the main CIMDAsupport page and have copied a previous post from Jo in reply to a person with a dog with SLE:

>>>>    I would make up a spray of natural essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus and teatree oil (total oil: 15 drops 500ml water - Pet lovers Guide to Natural Healing for Cats and Dogs by Barbara Fougere).  You can put a splash of hair conditioner and use it as a grooming spray.  It is only a repellent so if you have a real flea problem, to avoid using chemicals on your dog, you may have to think about intensive vacuuming and then using a house spray in the cracks and corners like Indorex, but I would choose to use it when you were going out for a few hours to give it time for any left over smell to dissipate. There are ready made natural flea repellents on the market too.<<<<<             

Are there any areas other than indoors that they could be picking up fleas from? For instance behind sheds or in the garden where wildlife might be. They could be hedgehog fleas for instance.

[Jo CIMDA]

Sorry for my delay in replying.  I have had computer problems. Congratulations on baby number 3.  No wonder you are very busy!

I am so sorry Ezzy has relapsed.  Unfortunately with AI disease there is always a chance of a relapse because of the genetic predisposition, and yes, fleas could have been the trigger, but not necessarily.  If the things that you have already tried are not working, then there is a natural product you can buy on the Internet called Billy No Mates. Some people say Diatomaceous earth is very good for controlling fleas, but I suggest that you do your research on both of these products.

If you can't control the fleas by natural methods, then I would suggest that you use Frontline Spray and just spray the coat in an open space so Ezzy can run and the coat will dry.  If a flea jumps onto the coat it will die. 

Also, as Catherine posted, doing the house is very important too, but spray it when you are about to go out for a while so it can do the job, but you or your family and Ezzy aren't subjected to those freshly sprayed chemicals.  Unfortunately, sometimes conventional methods have to be used.

Good luck and I hope Ezzy is getting over the relapse.

Jo