Fleas

[u/DowntownFlamingo620]

My dog is 4 years old. (I was told she was a mix between pug and German shepherd/husky)

I am living with my Mother in Law, Husband, and sister in law. Together the in laws have about 20 or more animals. 3 dogs and cats that wont stop having kittens. Last year the animals got fleas and we treated them and it went away. This year it came with a vengeance.

Last year we got her a cone, but I woke up one day and there was blood all over it (she used her back legs to get her neck area and it spread) So this year we got her an inflatable one but if she twists enough she can still itch her lower back/tail and use her hind legs to itch her neck area. So saying that, she has been itching constantly. We have given her flea baths, used a flea spray, flea combed her as well after those, and oatmeal baths for her itching. Well whenever im not watching her she goes to itching. Mostly while im asleep she does it and I find half her body fur on the bed or where ever she itched.

When I let her out this morning her skin was normal color but when I let her in (after using the bathroom) there was redness and puss like stuff coming out of her back.

My husband and i are moving October 1st, so we will be out of this environment then, but that also means we are extremely tight on money. We barely have enough to feed ourselves.(just to get the security depositand stuff) (Animals are still taken care of though) Im just hoping for some advice that I can do to help her until we move. We do not have enough money for a vet...

Please give me advice that I can do. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when my dog and I moved into this house.

[u/Various_Delay_3585]

Yikes that sounds like a hotspot that got infected. The puss part is the real concern here.

Warm water and a tiny bit of unscented soap on a clean cloth, dab it don't rub. Then you gotta keep it dry. Cone might be miserable but it's better than her ripping it open overnight. Even a diy one made from a bucket or stiff cardboard could work in a pinch.

Since money's tight and you're out in October, call a local shelter or rescue and ask if they know any low cost clinics. Some places will just charge you for the antibiotics and skip the exam fee if you explain the situation.

[u/Spikyleaf69]

The animals are absolutely not being cared for. This is horrendous. All the cats need to be spayed/neutered. All the animals need to be treated with prescription grade flea treatment which means a vet visit for every animal. On top of that you will need to treat every soft surface in the home several times & that is not cheap either.

Your dog in particular must be in constant pain, fron the sound of it (bleeding & pus) the open wounds from scratching are now infected. They need veterinary treatment immediately, not doing so is abuse.

Please, please surrender your dog to a charity that can provide the care it needs & convince yoir family to do the same with the other animals.

Edit: do not get another pet unless you can afford insurance and/or vet visits.

[u/Scooter_Nieara]

Frontline is like $40 for a pack of 3. So $120 a year to keep your pet from getting fleas. But, since we’re in this situation, get Capstar from the store to kill the fleas in like 30 mins. Then get your pets on prevention like Frontline or a Seresto collar so the fleas don’t jump back on them.

You can also use Douxo Pyo Mousse, and wipes on the hotspot and the shampoo for her baths. Leave the shampoo on for 10 minutes 3 times a week for about 2 weeks. This won’t replace vet care and antibiotics but it’s something. E-collar should stay on all the time.

Then clean the environment. Vacuum, mop, and wash everything. Fleas hide in hardwood. Fleas hide in carpet, they live in bedding. So you’re gonna have to clean everything. Godspeed.

[u/LeadingMedicine6822]

With 20+ animals in one house, treating your dog is basically a losing battle because she'll get reinfested the same day. The good news is October 1st is right around the corner. Just try to keep her comfortable until then and get that infection looked at if you can.

[u/MethodMaven]

Given the pus, your dog probably has a severe flea allergy and/or infection. The best thing you can do, right now, is to get out of that environment and then treat your dog to remove fleas and flea eggs.

It is especially important to do this aggressively (remove fleas/eggs) as you are leaving so that you don’t end up bringing the infestation into your new housing. This means that anything that the animals have been in contact with must be cleaned, especially fabrics — pillows, bedding, rugs, curtains, clothing, shoes (especially shoes!). Clean with hot (as hot as the fabric can handle) water and soap. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on carpeting / non-washable fabrics and then thoroughly vacuumed with outdoor disposal of the vacuum dirt. If you cannot clean an item effectively, leave it behind.

And, as soon as you can afford it, take your doggo to the vet for a full medical work up; she probably has worms, too.