Hello all, I am new here and still getting the hang of the layout. I have a 3yr old female Husky named Zero (seabrook’s Siberian Sub- Zero) and I am battling flea control as we live in Houston so we have them all year round. Zero has very bad reactions (almost seizures) to oral flea Meds (Capstar mainly) so my vet says topical spot treatments only. But given her thick undercoat, simply parting the hair and applying to the skin isnt that simple. Even parting all the way down, her cotton undercoat instantly wicks it up and it seems to do very little good. Plus due to our summer temps, we have an in ground pool that she swims in every single day. Short of shaving a small patch of her coat for application, any ideas on how we can successfully administer her dose?

Here is the medical issue section. Hopefully someone can help you out.

https://www.itsahuskything.com/f2-medical-issues

Hold the applicator so the top touches the skin then squeeze i have a wooly boy who hates messed with and that's how I get it on him... One hand on the collar the other holding the applicator top down and squeeze... The stuff transport through the skin via the d
Skin oil, I believe, so to move, even if it gets on the base of the hair, I think it will still disperse. Best bet fleas is probably fipronil with an insect growth regulator. My preference is pyriproxifen.

You will have to hurt her feelings and make her stay out of the water for at least 72 hours and that will help as much as anything. They aren't kidding when they say don't bathe for 2-3 days before or 24 hours after application. It does make a difference. Not sure how she might react but I have had good luck with the saresto collar on my cat and it isn't water finicky and lasts long enough to aid in stopping the cycle.

If you’re using a topical preventative, you need to let it sit on dry skin for at least 48 hours (preferably 72 hours). If that isn’t an option I would check out Seresto flea and tick collars. They work wel and are Veternarian approved unlike other flea collars. They last for 8 months and are water proof.

Yaknow, you could treat your yard, there are some very effective treatments to keep fleas, ticks, etc at bay, then maybe your problem would be minimal as the problem may be other animals that are infested coming into contact with your pup. If your dog has allergies to the medicine, look for ways to stop the fleas from getting on him

What topical have you tried?  I have a wooly husky and, yes, after application there is a patch of dried sticky fur.  But, I place the tip of the applicator all the way down through the fur so the stuff hits the skin.  For my big boy, I put the stuff on in 3 spots - between the shoulder blades, mid back and base of tail.  For my smaller boy, its only between the shoulder blades and base of tail.

Now - choice of treatment:  At least in our area, for spot-on treatments, fipronil works best (permethrin though great for ticks, is only effective against adult fleas for maybe 3 weeks.)  And, an topical with insect growth regulator makes sure any eggs laid by an occasional adult won't develop into an adult flea.  

Since you probably also have a tick problem down there, I'll suggest the regimen I use if you don't want to use ingestibles:

First:  apply Vetguard Plus for permethrin for ticks/fleas and pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator targeting eggs/larvae)  Use this every 4 months as the pyripoxyfen is good for up to 4 months.

Second: 3 weeks later, apply Sentry fiproguard for fipronil (NOT the plus, you don't need a 2nd dose of insect growth regulator)  Apply this every 3 months as fipronil kills adult fleas for about 3 months.

Third:  3-4 weeks later, apply Freedom 45 for a dose of permethrin only to protect against ticks.  Apply every 6 weeks as permethrin is good for TICKS ONLY for 6 weeks.

Then:  house and grounds...vacuum vacuum vacuum.  Make sure you get the edges of the walls, under furniture, under edges of any area rugs.  Wash all bedding, human and dog.  Also treat any cats you may have as they are a common carrier of fleas that infect dogs.  There are also sprays that you or a pesticide applicator can apply to your property.  I don't use them as the above regimen has taken care of fleas for me.

Good luck.

And - as mentioned above, you WILL have to keep dog out of water for about 48 hours.  It takes a while for the active compound to distribute through the skin.

Also - if you have cats, keep them away from the dog until the permethrin is dry.

Hey everyone! My husky Nyla is 2 years old and has been acting different lately. She is urinating in her cage after being taken out, digging at herself and has lost a lot of weight. She has not lost her appetite and still is very active playing with my other 3 huskies. Does anyone have any clue what could be going on?

Gpavlik12,
Please start a new thread for your dogs issues so they are not confused with the original poster.
side note, if i were you i would take her to a vet ASAP.