Can I have your advice on what to do when you find a flea on a pup?  They are five weeks old now and there is plenty of white fur making it easy to spot the little blighters.  Older dogs in the home are frontlined and seem to be clear but there is a cat in the garden and they've been running on the grass.

I've combed them all through and they seem to be clear but I can't send them to their new homes with accompaniments, can I?  This gives me a few weeks to sort it!

PS just remembered mum missed her treatment last time round as she was due to whelp.  Can I do her now if she is still giving the odd feed?  I can't find anything on her.

Hi there,i believe that stronghold is the only treatment available (decent one anyway)that can be used on pregnant bitches and their young,im sure someone will let you know if im wrong,good luck with the little horrors.Julia

hi think im correct in saying that frontline is no use for puppies under 12 weeks of age, same goes for a lot of treatments including shampoos etc, check with your vet for something suitable in the mean time a flea comb may help keep the numbers down.

Hi Jacky,

Frontline (the spray on) will be fine.  You can weigh each pup and apply a fairly accurate dose to suit the individual pups.  It can be used on even very small pups - I had a litter to rear for someone who was having problems , the pups arrived about a week old already with little visitors (in this case lice)  checked with my vet, applied Frontline to Mum and family, and everything was OK.
bye
Gwen

i use the program plus tablets they are for flea's and worming but not sure how old to be used from.the advantage is you give once a month to the correct body weight of the dog so as pup grows etc.they are only available from vet's just an alternative to frontline but covers worms to.

Just checked my bottle of Frontline, it is safe for use from 2 DAYS old, so you should have no problem wiht your bunch.  How are the markings coming on?
bye
Gwen

Thank you everyone.  I'll give em a squirt tomorrow.  It's been worming time this weekend so don't want to subject them to too much.

Gwen, markings are developing nicely.  Just when I think they will stay white you brush the coat the wrong way and see black hairs all over the place.  I guess they won't actually be roan but white with flecks and very spotty legs.  I don't want them to go!!!!!  It's been lovely getting to know their new families and I know they will be well cared for and none are going to be far away so we will keep in touch.  How do you people who have regular litters cope?  You must have extensive xmas card lists!

Very large christmas card lists indeed!  Some of my puppy people have become good friends.  And don't give up hope on the roaning, you often wont see the markins "develop" until quite a few weeks more.
bye
Gwen

Other peoples cats in my garden are the bane of my dogs life - they always seem to be teeming with fleas (heaven help their homes :rolleyes: )  I've reduced their number by shooting them with a water pistol only harms their dignity but very effective :D