Fleas in the tub?

[KShep]

I bathed Ripley last week (I know, I know....I try to do it infrequently as possible). Ever since then I have noticed little black bugs crawling out of the drain. I haven't noticed any fleas on her.

Do you think they are fleas or is this just a coincidence? Can they survive all that? Hope there isn't a dead animal under the house! Nasty.

[pindrop]

Having no idea what a flea looks like, I would probably look it up on line and determine if it is one or not. Fleas are supposedly the enemy of the Cairn as they react to the bite. Has Ripley developed any itching lately? We do have the occasional insect (usually spiders) that crawl out of the drain in the shower, but other than that not much else. Let us know what that insect is as I'm now curious. Thanks and good luck.

[Idaho Cairns]

I think you are ok, fleas don't "crawl" as much as they jump or skittle. I spent considerable time in flea country with dogs as a youth--long before there were effective flea repellents and I never saw them in a bathtub drain and our fleas were brown, not black. Fortunately I now live in an area were there are few if any fleas (I've never seen one) so I am relying on memory. We are so fortunate here--no fleas, no chiggers, few ticks, few mosquitoes, low incident of heart worm, no humidity--sort of a dog raising paradise if you discount the long winters.

[hheldorfer]

I found this website that may help you:

http://www.insectidentification.org/

I seriously doubt that the bugs are fleas, but it wouldn't hurt to find out what they are so you can figure out how to control them.

[KShep]

Thank you everyone. I am relieved they aren't fleas. I hear that is a hard problem to control in the house.

Hhedorfer- I will check out the website. Thanks for the link. They look like tiny crawling specks of dirt.

IdahoCairns- Lucky for you! I live in Southeast Texas where the humidity is high, refineries abound, and bugs are plentiful. Armpit of Texas. Chiggers are the worst! Are you originally from Tennessee perhaps? You sound like one of my father's friends in your youtube video and he is from Tennessee. I'm not good with accents but I think it's pretty interesting anyway. I've noticed that most people on the board are northerners. Actually, everyone I bump into has no idea what a Cairn terrier is and thinks she is very unique.

Pindrop- I'm pretty lucky. Ripley has yet to have a problem with fleas. I've seen one single flea on her before, but she rarely scratches. Do you think combing and brushing help with fleas? I do it every day.