urgent: 3 day old pups got fleas from mom

[tweeswayer]

Hi
We are new to this forum and are in need of some advice. We are the proud grandparents of 5 newborn, chow-chow puppies. And it seems that they have inherited to fleas from their mommy, not alot.... yet. I know that there is not a whole lot i can use on them... but i am wondering whether or not the combs and traps would be useful. Thanks
Mike & Laura

 

[Julie]

Why did Mama have fleas?

If you would order/buy some frontline, it is approved for use on the preg or nursing mother. Put it on Mom. Since she is with the pups it will kill all the jumping fleas and soon they will be history.

But personally I would put it on Mama and then keep her away from the pups until it soaks in/ drys a bit. Then let her back in with pups.

Don't treat pups with anything, they are too young. A flea comb might help a bit, but not much.

If you see fleas on newborn pups you have a problem and should treat mom with frontline or something safe. Not that junk sold at walmart.

I would also like to mention, if you have fleas, tapeworms are also very possible. If a dog or pup swallows a tapeworm infected flea the cycle will start. Fleas are how tapeworms are transmitted. A tape worm segment looks like a flat short worm that possible moves with a wave like motion. If the tape worm segment is older and dry, it looks like a piece of rice.
Praziquantel is an effective treatment against tapes.

But I still don't understand why 5 pups were born to flea infected mama?
This day and age fleas are easily controlled or elliminated with a topical solution such as frontline or frontline plus.

Anyway, do what is right and what you can.
Best Wishes,
Julie.

 

[tweeswayer]

a side note... to the above reply

Why did Mama have fleas?

Considering the fact that Aug-October is the prime time for fleas to try to and jump and hitch a ride on any mammal. I would find it hard to believe that you could find any animal this time of year without a single flea on it... those included being treated with any topical applied flea killer... this including Frontline Plus and the like. Like any flea product they have not been shown to be 100% effective... depending of course which research you go by. And even thought it is purported to approved for use in pregnant and nursing mothers, do you always trust everything that those people tell you about medications, this is true for animals and people.

I appreciate your advice and opinions. However, I only needed some advice on what could potentially be used on the pups. I know about the correlation between fleas and the parasites that they transmit. I also knew about frontline, as I stated above. I never stated that the mother was flea infested. I find your inferences to be quite rude and assuming, one should ask for more information before making assumption or accusations. This is the reason why I find most forums to be lacking in the basics of communications, I thought perhaps this one would be different.

 

[Julie]

I see you are in Ohio, I am not that far in WV.

I meant no disrespect in my advice.

But, in our part of the US frontline works excellent. I have had 100% results and have not seen a flea since I started using it a couple years ago.

As a matter of fact, the flea population is at the greatest during the warmer months. Now granted there may be an explosition here or there, but the problem is in july-sept.

You asked the question, and if your dogs were on frontline or comparable, you probably would not have fleas on newborn pups. And probably would not have to ask such a question.

You may not think your dog is infested, but you only see part of what is really there. And if you are seeing any, it is too much.

Sorry to OFFEND you, but you asked a question and I gave you my opinion.

Later,
Julie.

 

[Julie]

I find your inferences to be quite rude and assuming, one should ask for more information before making assumption or accusations. This is the reason why I find most forums to be lacking in the basics of communications, I thought perhaps this one would be different.

Well excuse me. You asked a question and I am sure you know it is not safe to treat 3 day old pups with anything. Since you are the "grandparents" to these pups, If your "children" were treated before the delivery the pups they would not suffer from flea infestation. And in my book 2 or 3 fleas seen is a flea infestation, because their are many more unseen on the animals, in bedding, and in the carpets and furniture.

And if you know all about what I posted before, why didn't you have your dogs flea free in the first place?? It really is easier than it used to be.

Julie.

 

[bubbatd]

Julie... I'm with you. but what's done is done. Let's help the babies. I had litters before the frontlines etc. We lived in the woods, and one summer the fleas were horrible !! I had a litter and though I didn't think the Dam had fleas , the pups became infested !! I couldn't spray, wash or dust . I bought a " nit" comb and went over the pups 3 times a day dipping comb and any fleas in alcohol to kill. Changed their bedding 3 times a day ... it was horrible !!! Needless to say, there was extra cost to check for tape worm etc. I had 4 adult Goldens at this point and all I could do was the flea dip for all but the momma. I " bombed " the house and the yard . As cats are the carriers , and we had 2, I had to treat them by putting them in plastic bags ( head out) and spray into the bags ( Hey, don't get on my case... this was in the 60s .... I didn't want to spray them directly and they lived to 18 and 22 !) All I can say is thank God for our prevenitive today and that all 10 pups were flea free within a week. Do breeders make $$$$ ??? Nope, not when their babies are at stake !!

 

[bubbatd]

Twees.... I haven't had flea #1 for 10 years ! Even when the house next door was completely infested ....once a month is cheaper than treatment.

 

[tweeswayer]

I guess I should have been more specific in my original question...

What I originally meant was this: Are the non-evasive methods worth looking into, when it concerns newborns. Non-evasive meaning.. those traps and the herbal remedies, like pennyroyal, marigold and the like.
Also I do use Frontline Plus (98-100% effective, kills adult fleas, larvae and eggs, does not kill the cocoon) on my dogs and cats, similar stuff for our rabbits, parrot and rat. I was told by my vet as well as several other vets in my area not to treat the mother while being pregnant, so while she was pregnant i took what measures I safley could... washing her with crysanthymum shampoo, using the "repelling" products rather than the "killer" products.
And as for the flea activity you can easily check your area at the following http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/pets/fleaactivity.html?from=petsFL