Suddenly developing multiple tickle spots? Flea allergy dermatitis?

[Heather & Jake]

In the last week or so I've noticed Jake has been pretty itchy and biting/scratching himself more than usual but nothing over the top.  Over the last few days he has also developed many "tickle spots" which are now pretty much his whole belly and up onto his sides.  I just brushed him with a very light hand and it was quite a challenge as it seemed every stoke on his back, sides, and hind legs seemed to aggravate him with his skin jumping after each stroke and lots of back paw induced thumping/air scratching.  When I emptied the little bit of fuzz, there were about 5-10 specks of black "dirt" in it... not very much but I have a sneaking suspicion may be dead fleas.

Now, bad doodle mom here, but that last two weeks I have felt a few sand-like particles in his hair every now and then but whenever I went to look, I could not find anything besides actual sand... we did just get back from the beach and as much as I tried it's hard to get out every last particle!  I was originally thinking maybe his skin was just been sensitive after been in the water so much for one week with possible sand left in his coat, but his sensitivity is getting worse and then today with the possible flea find.  Jake does receive Frontline plus but is is about due for his next month's dose.  Jake's hair is currently only about 1-1.5 inches long as I had it trimmed short for quick drying at the beach so it's fairly easy to see into and I can not find any other evidence of fleas.

With the sensitivity getting worse and not seeing any live fleas, could this be flea allergy dermatitis?  I know that only one flea bite can aggravate it and Jake has never had a flea before; he will be 3 in September.

Do I need to get into the vet ASAP or is there something I can try first?  Ashamed to say but if I can wait, this is the fire under my butt to finally getting around to pet insurance.  In the mean time, should I buy flea shampoo or a nice skin soothing oatmeal shampoo and conditioner and give him a bath tonight?  Should I hold off on applying the next dose of Frontline if his skin is already so sensitive?  He is not crying or acting in pain, but is really enjoying his deep massaging scratches right now.  He is not loosing any hair and none of us humans have received any bites.

[Heather & Jake]

Oh shoot... update I just found 2 live ones!!!!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Bummer!

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hey Heather! Try switching to Advantix. I live in VA also and my vet told that many people in our state were having lots of trouble with fleas who were also using Frintlines. Their patent expired so too many generics hit the market at once and an immunity was built up. We had a terrible time until we made the switch. You can also ask your vet for a one time pill called Comfortis, which will kill all live ones in four hours. He can take it on top of the monthly treatment. Hope that helps.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What you're describing sounds like flea dirt and flea eggs. The big problem with fleas is not the live ones but the eggs in your carpets, floors, furniture, etc. 

He needs a flea bath (best done by the vet) and then a dose of Frontline Plus. And you're going to need to wash his bedding, your bedding if he sleeps in your bed, vacuum everything in the house thoroughly, and then cross your fingers and hope they didn't have time to get established in your home. 

[Heather & Jake]

Yeah after seeing the real thing alive I definitely saw the flea dirt. Called vet and the receptionist told me they don't recommend flea baths because they don't work and if I were to give him a bath that I'd have to wait 2 days to put on frontline... still waiting for actual vet to call me back. We actually just threw out his bed as he is badly in need of a new one anyways... good thing I didn't buy the one I liked last week!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guess the thinking must have changed on the baths since my poodle had fleas back in 2004. I do think you should talk to the vet, glad he's calling back. The advice about waiting two days after a bath to apply the Frontline doesn't make sense to me. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it's because the oils in the skin are needed to help absorb the Frontline or something along those lines.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree with Heather! Use Advantix! My dogs have had fleas when on Frontline and it no longer works in the Northeast! Since you are in VA, I am guess that the immunity has now spread to your area. You may also want to bomb the house with a flea bomb (plan to have all dogs, other pets, people  out of there for several hours) to get rid of fleas in the woodwork. 

[Riley girl]

Fleas hate the smell of fennel seeds! Empty a can into a spice grinder and grind it to a powder. Then you sprinkle it on your pet starting at his head and working it into his skin to the tail (don't forget the belly!) You shouldn't do this in your house or yard though.. since the fleas flee (chuckle) from the smell.

We used to sprinkle our dog with it before visiting the dog park since she was allergic to flea drops.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know if fennel actually works as a repellent, since there is no documented evidence that it does, but I do know that once you have the fleas, it will not get rid of them. There is NO "natural" remedy that will get rid of fleas. 

[Riley girl]

Yes, fennel is a flea repellent which is why I mentioned putting it on the dog away from her home. You can Google it, it is a well known fact.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have Googled it. I have read that the fennel plant itself repels fleas outdoors when planted outdoors in the garden. Other than that, I have found no factual or scientific evidence that the seeds do anything at all to repel or get rid of fleas. Definitely not a fact, well-known or otherwise. Facts can be documented and proven. There is all kinds of anecdotal info on the internet about "natural remedies" for all kinds of things, fleas included, but so far, none of them have been proven to work.