#Middlebury #Fleas
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Flea prevention treatments can be expensive, so I’ve been soaking orange peels in rubbing alcohol and spraying it on my pets and around the house. It seems to work, but even though I can’t see a single flea on my Rottweiler-pit bull mix, Debbie, she is still scratching fiercely around her ears until they bleed. I tried ear mite drops because I think that’s the problem, but she just runs away from me. I can’t afford the vet right now. How can I solve the ear mite problem? – Melissa, via email
DEAR MELISSA: Stop using the rubbing alcohol on your pets immediately. It dries out a dog’s skin and causes irritation, and isopropyl alcohol can even poison a pet. The oil from the orange peel can be an irritant, too.
Put the ear mite treatment on pause. It’s not improving the condition and is causing Debbie distress.
It’s time to visit the vet. I know it’s expensive, but if money is an issue, tell the vet’s office when you call for an appointment. Low-cost vet clinics also may be available in your area. You can find them by searching online, asking the vet’s office or checking with the local pet-supply store. But Debbie needs to see a vet right now because she’s suffering.
To continue flea prevention without breaking the bank, consider treating your home with a product called diatomaceous earth (about $10-$14 for a 10-pound bag). Sprinkle it into the carpet and leave it for 48 hours, then vacuum it up. Reapply about once a month. You can even rub it into Debbie’s fur to kill fleas – but only after her skin problem has been dealt with, because DE will irritate open wounds.
Has your pet suffered from fleas or skin allergies? Tell me how you solved it at ask@pawscorner.com.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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