Flea Treatment for Pregnant Bitch
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Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Q: What is the best flea treatment you recommend for a pregnant female?
A: I am always very cautious about flea medicines; however that needs to be balanced by the real risk of flea and tick diseases, which are detrimental to your dog’s health and cal lead to death. If all you are dealing with is fleas, not ticks too, I suggest treating the area where your girl sleeps and spends time in the house by using 40 mule team borax or food-grade diatomaceous earth. I sprinkle onto the bedding and sweep it around the floor and into the floorboards. These two products dry out the exoskeleton of the flea, and it dies without you exposing your dog and family to harsh chemical treatment. You can also gently work a small amount of food-grade diatomaceous earth into your dog’s coat. However, much caution needs to be taken not to get it into the eyes or mucous membranes (both you and the dog) as it is extremely drying. I apply with a mask and goggles on.
If it is a flea infestation then good old blue Dawn dish detergent worked into a fabulous lather and staying on the coat for 15 min also does the trick.
As far as chemical treatments you can work with your veterinarian to see if Revolution (selamectin), Capstar (nitenpyram) or Frontline (fipronil), all these are labeled as safe for use during pregnancy, are appropriate treatments given the stage of her pregnancy.
