Infestation

Friday night we were sitting around talking just before dinner. Mr. B was giving Gus a belly rub. What dog doesn't like a good belly rub. Gus is no different. And lately he has been really itchy and it's so easy to get both his kickers going. We assumed he was shedding and had a mild case of allergies. I was giving him Claritin for the itchiness and was going t make a vet appointment for early next week. 

Well I don't have to make a vet appointment. Gus doesn't have allergies. Gus has fleas. You heard me right F-L-E-A-S. As in the nasty creepy crawlies that bight and make you itch and lay eggs in everything. Yes we have an infestation of fleas at this house.  Mr. B found a few of them on his belly during the belly rub. 

Neither of us made the lovely ham penne bake that I was making for dinner. There was no time. It was 7pm on Friday evening and we had to plan our counter attack. Mr. B would drive to the big city to find some shampoo for the dog and something to treat all the furniture. Unfortunately we Gus thinks he needs to take his afternoon naps on our bed or the couch. I would take everything that could possibly be contaminated and could be washed to the laundromat. That was allot of stuff. All the bedding all the dirty clothes, we let them pile on the floor in the corner of the room and the dog sometimes sleeps on them, all the rugs that could be washed. It was a car full! 

By the time we made it to bed four hours later I think we had a good start on controlling the out break. The dog had been bathed, the furniture and large area rugs had been doused in spray and vacuumed  Everything had been washed in hot soapy water. Thank goodness we don't have wall to wall carpeting in the house anymore. I can only imagine the army of eggs that would be living in that. 

Yesterday I applied Frontline to the dog. I know I should have been doing that all along and we wouldn't be in this situation. I think I have learned my lesson well. From now on Frontline year round. I do feel like a horrible mom for letting this happen to my baby boy. I thought that now that it was getting cooler out we would be in the clear. I guess not. I also feel like crap thinking he had allergies and was itching himself raw in some places. The thought of fleas never even crossed my mind. 

I think the main battle is over. For the next few weeks we just need to be diligent in bathing Gus and spraying down the house. We need keep the eggs under control till the risk of them hatching and rising up against to avenge their parents. We should be in the clear in time for Thanksgiving. Sorry to say our house is in quarantine right now and none of Gus's doggie friends will be allowed over to play.