I am not sure about "most" flea products causing sterility-as far as I know program and sentinel(lufenuron) are the only ones that do this-it actually prevents the eggs from developing into adults (inhibits chitin formation).

also-
I would be careful with garlic products. Garlic is in the onion family and can cause anemia: from animal poison control DVM:

"Garlic contains n-propyl disulfide which can cause Heinz body anemia (oxidative damage).
I don't think anyone has demonstrated how much is too much, but here is one reference.

Lee KW, Yamato O, Tajima M, Kurakoa M, Omae S, Maede Y (2000). Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs. Am J Vet Res 61:1446-1450.
This paper shows that garlic given at 5gm (1 tsp) per kg of body weight in dogs will cause hemolytic changes. Cats of course are much more sensitive to oxidative damage to their RBCs.

There was also a letter in JAVMA (several years ago) that talked about Heinz body anemia seen in several kittens that were being fed baby food that contained onion powder. Onions and garlic both contain n-propyl disulfide. Gram per gram garlic actually contains more of this than onions do."

If you would like more info on garlic or onion toxicity let me know.

BTW, grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs as well. Lilys are toxic to cats and sago palm plants are toxic to both dogs and cats. Spread the word and save lives :)

Are bananas and apples okay? My mini-dachshunds LOVE LOVE LOVE bananas. When you pop one off the bunch they're right there by your feet sitting as pretty as they can.

That's really the only people food we let them have.

yes banans and apples are ok.

I was trying to edit my post but no go so here I go again:

Please before starting any treatment for whatever condition-even something as simple as fleas-consult with a veterinarian first. It is really sad when an animal comes in very ill due to iatrogenic causes. It is very sad when an owner was just trying something b/c they heard from a friend that it was ok and in fact it was not.

Why grapes?? And what is the toxicity of them? Is one grape going to hurt...or would she have to eat an entire bunch??

ETA: Not that I'm going to start experimenting with my dog, but stuff like that freaks me out, and I would start going nuts if my dog accidentally got ahold of 1 grape if I thought it might kill her.

Not in Colorado -- at least according to my vet. ;)

Try a rolled leather collar. Sometimes the sewn edges of flat collars can chafe the skin. Also, make sure that the collar is properly fitted, too loose or too tight can irritate. You should be able to fit two fingers in and slide them around.

more info on grape toxicity:

Grape toxicity
Last updated on 1/3/2006.
Contributors:
Mees Dekker, MS, DVM
Linda Shell, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Synonyms:
Raisin toxicity

Disease description:
Ingestion of grapes or raisins has been associated with acute renal failure in dogs. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cats may also be affected. The exact cause of renal toxicity is unknown. 3,4 Fungal, pesticide, and heavy-metal etiologies do not seem likely at this time. Recent unpublished data indicates that the toxic component is water-soluble, and within the flesh of the grape/raisin, not the seed. Thus, the current thinking is that grapeseed extract may be safe to use.

Ingested amounts have varied from 0.41 to 1.1 oz/kg in one study. 1 The lowest recorded amount that caused acute renal failure was 0.7 oz/kg for grapes and 0.11 oz/kg for raisins. However, not every dog or cat is susceptible and some dogs can tolerate large quantities of grapes or raisins without any clinical signs. Thus there may be unnknown patient risk factors in those that develop toxicity. Currently, there is no information about whether or not grape juice might be toxic.

CLINICAL SIGNS
Clinical signs usually begin several hours after ingestion. Vomiting and lethargy are preceded by signs of oliguric and anuric acute renal failure within 24 hours. Partially digested grapes and raisins might be seen in the vomit, fecal material, or both. There have been cases of gastrointestinal signs continuing for several weeks post ingestion. 2 Early and aggressive treatment is indicated, but even so the prognosis must remain guarded once anuric or oliguric renal failure develops.


Etiology:
Grape ingestion
Raisin ingestion


Clinical findings:
Abdominal pain
ANOREXIA
Anuria, urinary shutdown
Depression
DIARRHEA
Oliguria
VOMITING
ZZZ INDEX ZZZ


Diagnostic procedures: Diagnostic results:
Serum chemistry Azotemia
Hypercalcemia


Treatment/Management/Prevention:
SPECIFIC
1) In cases of recent ingestion, begin decontamination procedures by inducing vomiting with one of the following:

Apomorphine: 0.04 mg/kg IV or 0.08 mg/kg IM, SC or crush up one tablet and place it in conjunctival sac; flush remainder of tablet out of sac as soon as emesis occurs.
Hydrogen peroxide 3%: 5-10 ml PO, may be repeated once.
Ipecac syrup: 2.2 ml/kg PO once. Dilute with equal parts water, administer by stomach tube before administration of charcoal.
2) If vomiting does not yield results, then use gastric lavage. Maintain a patent airway with intubation and control respiration. Activated charcoal (see below) can be used.

3)Activated charcoal: Mix into a slurry at a dose of 1 gram/ 5 ml of water; recommended dosage is 10 ml of slurry/kg PO. Administration can be done via naso-gastric or oro-gastric intubation: great care should be undertaken to ensure that no aspiration will occur during or after the procedure, since activated charcoal in the lung can be life-threatening. In some animals, addition of food to the charcoal may entice the animal to eat the charcoal slurry. Rapid administration of activated charcoal can cause vomition: constipation or diarrhea may be a side-effect. And stools will be black in color for a few days. Oral medications should not be given within 3 hours of activated charcoal administration.

4) IV fluid therapy for 48-72 hours at 1.5-2 x maintenance after correction of electrolyte imbalances and dehydration

5) Monitor for azotemia, hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia for 3 days post ingestion. If no signs of azotemia by 3 days post ingestion, it is unlikely that renal failure will develop.

6) If azotemia develops, treat as an acute renal failure case using fluid therapy, diuresis, peritoneal dialysis, or hemodialysis.

Bed, Bath and Beyond is my best friend! LOL It's a linen spray. Won't be too hard to find.