laurasaur25
Member
We are originally from Ohio but have been living in various states for the past three years. I noticed that Nicky, my 7 year old Cav, would have a hard time with itching, usually in the latter part of summer. I've always been able to mediate it with coconut oil and an oatmeal bath here and there. It does seem to be worse when we're in Ohio but it's hard to say if that's the state or the sheer fact that he didn't get a huge amount of actual grass time in Boston. Most of the walks were full of small patches and concrete. But we moved back to a very rural area of Ohio and since then his allergies have been just about unbearable for all of us. He was diagnosed with MVD in May so we have been in and out of vet and cardiologist appointments. Our last visit was with a new homeopathic vet in the area in the hopes of actually getting some help with cardiac supplements (his cardiologist and previous vets were unwilling to advise us since there is no "evidence"). Of course about a week after this appointment he started itching like crazy. In the past we have used Revolution but only here and there because fleas haven't been a huge problem. But then I started seeing the research about the pesticide treatments so I started Wondercide this season. It seemed to be working well until about 3 weeks ago, when he really started itching. I tried a good bath and then very thoroughly cleaned the apartment. He was fine until we went outside again, when he promptly started itching again. I've been really worried about the extra stress on his heart so I relented and bought Advantix. That has helped marginally but from what I understand, it only kills the flea after 8-24 hours and this is plenty of time for him to start itching again. I'm getting the impression that fleas are atrocious in our area because he seems to get a new flea every time he goes outside. I've tried brushing him with a flea comb but I can never find a flea. He has very thick hair and it seems like a needle in a haystack. I would be leaning more towards some sort of allergen in the grass but I have found fleas on his belly, when he's been laying on his back in bed.
I'm just really at a loss for what else to do. Right now he's obviously still protected by the Advantix and then I also started spraying on the Wondercide in the morning in an attempt for it to act as a repellant. I also give him coconut oil once a day hoping that it will help prevent his skin from getting as irritated. He doesn't have any major sores but his thighs are red and the front parts of his legs, where they meet his chest are irritated. Does anyone have a method they use that is effective?
I'm just really at a loss for what else to do. Right now he's obviously still protected by the Advantix and then I also started spraying on the Wondercide in the morning in an attempt for it to act as a repellant. I also give him coconut oil once a day hoping that it will help prevent his skin from getting as irritated. He doesn't have any major sores but his thighs are red and the front parts of his legs, where they meet his chest are irritated. Does anyone have a method they use that is effective?