Flea problem!

[mature_enough]

Revolution is not working for my dog's flea problem! We have used Frontline and I'm even more dissatisfied with w/ the results. What is a good flea treatment?

[Tony Kremer, DVM]

These products work tremendously well at killing fleas with great consistency, so we need to look at other factors.  First there is the application factor.  This majority of these products need to get in direct contact with the skin for it to work properly.  It is important to part the hair over the neck and make sure all of the liquid comes out of the tube.  Also these are monthly products that should be used year round to continuously fight the life cycle of fleas.  (Adult, larva, pupa stages can all be in various stages of hatching within the environment.)  That brings us to the environment.  You need to deal with the home environment and the outdoors.  Topical products like these will eventually get rid of an infested home once all stages emerge and get in contact with the pet, but if the house is infested with larval and cocoon stages, it may be best to treat the home.  Premise spraying or fogging at two week intervals is best to break the cycle.  The last piece of the puzzle is the outdoors.   How often does the pet pick up new fleas?  It may be prudent to treat the nearby outside yard with a spray bottle made to be put on the end of a hose.  Once the environmental and application issues are under control, these topical products will work fine to keep the pet flea free!

[mature_enough]

Thank you for the answer. Very helpful. I think what I am lacking is patience, since I have bombed a couple of times. I will keep up the Revolution treatments. Thank you.