What's up with Stew's fur?? Hope it's not fleas!

This all started out at a sidewalk play date on Friday between Stew & a lab we see on walks frequently. The owner & I were talking about the weather and she hates this time of year because it's still warm enough for fleas, it isn't around freezing temps yet except for some nights. So it's warm, then colder then warm again. Then we started talking about flea preventatives, she uses Sentry, I use Frontline Plus every month. Play date ended & we continued our walk.

Of course the flea talk got me freaked that her dog actually HAD fleas, so I gave Stew his monthly dose. He squirmed and it landed in a huge glob mostly in his fur. I washed the spot & figured I'd reapply the next day. Then we went to my dad's for the weekend & Stew started scratching more than normal but not excessively. He played in leaves, grass etc all weekend. On Sunday, he got seeds stuck all over him, so he was fully washed again.

Yesterday, I reapplied Frontline down to the skin in 5 spots. He didn't scratch much at all. II also washed all the blankets he lays on, my bedding & his dog bed. Last night he scratched practically ALL night. This morning he's been stuck to his back, licking, scratching it until it's soaking wet & sometimes scratching his ears/neck and belly with his leg.

I've brushed him on a white sheet, no flea dirt or fleas. Now I'm thinking it's either the Frontline or his skin is dry. I have a bottle of 500mg EPO capsules & was thinking of starting Stew on them because his fur is getting dull looking. Do you all give the EPO capsules for humans? Lol, I can never that one out.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 4, 2014 at 7:23am

UGH! Never reapply spot on flea and tick preventatives. You MUST wait at least 25+ plus days if you make a mistake. For example, your dog jumps in the lake an hour after applying. You can never reapply.

It says this on the package too. This is dangerous and toxic.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 4, 2014 at 7:56am

Here is a spook article. Of course this is written one sided but it does cite studies where the skin is irritated in a majority of dogs after application in which the dogs itch a lot

http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf

From Frontline.com

- You can only apply ONCE every thirty days

http://www.frontline.com/Pages/Faq.aspx

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Permalink Reply by Jess & Stewart on November 4, 2014 at 7:56am

My vet told me I could reapply since I washed it off immediately. But now I'm reading stuff online & worried. I'm wondering if I should take him in?

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 4, 2014 at 8:02am

You may have caused him to itch more. If your vet said okay, than who am I to override a vet? NOT me. But, if it is real bad, maybe a shot of cortisone will calm him down a bit.

As for your EPO question many say it is wonderful and glosses up the coat and makes the skin softer. So, that couldn't hurt. but it isnt an instant cure. It takes a few months of daily dosage.

On a side note-Frontline is not water soluble so washing it off... well I think that wouldnt work so well either.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne ~ Spud* on November 4, 2014 at 8:07am

Here is a link to toxicity in dogs. I'd just keep an eye on him. If it is just itching probably not a toxic reaction. Just in the future... once a month only :)

http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/toxicity-symptoms-10.htm