Over the weekend, an epidemic of scratching, biting and licking brought out on the Farm. Non-stop itching, and some uncomfortable dogs. This morning, we headed straight for the Cambridge Valley Vet, I only brought Gus and Fate, I figured Red had the same thing they had.
It turned out to be fleas, their eggs were all over Fate, and a bit on Gus. The dogs got steroid shots to ease their discomfort (Cassandra Comety held Gus at the moment of impact.) I brought home some spray for the carpets and floors, a three month supply of oral flea killer and another spray for the dog’s underbellies.
This is the height of flea season, and I’m sure the sheep are infested with them We sailed over $300 in treatment quickly – the downside of three dogs – and I thought, as i often do, that real farmers would never take their dogs to the vet for fleas. They would just scratch until winter.
But I am not a real farmer, I am a hyprid, a city boy with a farm. E. B. White is a hero, he pulled it off before anyone did.
I came home and sprayed the house – they don’t flea bomb houses any longer – but everyone got their flea-killing pills and I did all of the spraying. Maria was only too happy to flee back to her Studio to make some art.
I think I have some flea bites on me as well. Life on the farm.
That’s interesting that they don’t say to to bug bomb the house for fleas any more. I remember when we used to do it about twice a year, because we itched more than the pets did! Hope all feel better soon!
I can commiserate. I adopted a dog from a foster group out of Tenn and she came with fleas which then infected her brother and the house. I’m covered in flea bites! I’ve been treating the with Frontline and it’s slowing down. The vet says I need to treat my dogs for at least 3 months and we’re in the 2nd month. It has slowed down, but isn’t gone by a long shot. Best of luck Jon!