StickTight Fleas on Dogs

[jamagan]

My mom had chickens in her backyard for the past year, but just gave them to a friend last week. Yesterday I was out of town and my parents took in my dogs. Now they are covered in the tiny little stick-tight fleas that the chickens used to get.

I gave the dogs each a Capstar flea pill, but the fleas are still attached. I read online to dab them with rubbing alcohol which had no visible effect. My mother used to use a chemical powder on the chickens, but I'm concerned about using something like that on the dogs who like to lick themselves.

What do I need to do to safely get rid of these bugs? Or could the be dead from the Capstar, but just haven't fallen off?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[RedDrgn]

I'd contact your regular vet and ask them (a quick phone call should be all you need), just to be sure you use something that's safe for dogs.

 

[jamagan]

My vet is currently closed and so I stopped by the vet's office inside PetSmart, and while they were very sweet and tried to help nobody had answers.

I was just hoping someone here might've had some experience with it.

I've given them a flea and tick bath, but no changes. I'm hoping the fleas are dead and will just fall off soo

 

[aart]

Never heard of stick tight fleas.....heard of stick tight burrs.
So I googled, they sound nasty.

Did a search here too, hope that helps.
advanced search>titles only>stick tight fleas

 

[jamagan]

Good news.

The fleas have started to fall off! About half of the fleas have fallen off so far, so I'm thinking the Capstar did work.

So for anyone else looking to get rid of stick tight fleas on dogs -- try Capstar pills. I bought mine at Petsmart, but vets sell them too.

Thanks to those who responded!

 

[aart]

Capstar is good stuff for an sudden infestation.

What I read about the sticktight fleas is that they do not drop off even when dead...at least not right away.

 

[roberto62]

You might try diatomaceous earth on the chickens. It's non-toxic, and works by scratching the fleas' exoskeletons, not by chemicals. Be sure to use "food grade" DE though, not the stuff used in swimming pools.

http://www.howtogetridoffleasez.com/diatomaceous-earth-fleas