Fleas in cat with multiple health issues

[LoriC]

My 17 1/2 yr. old cat has fleas and I need some help finding a treatment that won't interfer with any of her meds and won't compound her health problems. She is 5 yrs. post gastric lymphoma (successful chemo). She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for which she takes enalapril and atenolol. She has elevated kidney values (from the chemo) and is also hyperthyroid and taking Methimazole. I have placed a call to my vet and am waiting for his return call but I am interested in obtaining a second opinion about what treatments are appropriate for her. My gut tells me to stay away from the usual chemical treatments and I would prefer to find a natural alternative if possible. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Traci]

There are NO natural alternatives, do NOT use them, they are either ineffective, or can be lethal. (please see HERE )

Is the methimazole given orally or transdermally?

Is she allowed outdoors? If so, please, keep her INDOORS ONLY!.

If she is strictly indoors only, where are the fleas coming from? Do you have other pets or dogs? Have you thoroughly investigated your home and sealed cracks/crevices, window screens, etc etc? Find out where the fleas are coming from, seal cracks and crevices, etc, and the flea problem should be eradicated. Make sure you also address the inside environment by vacumming every single day, including rugs, furniture, bedding, wash bedding in hot water in the washing machine, etc.

There shouldn't be any reason she couldn't be treated with Frontline or Advantage for cats (once, as long as you ALSO take care of them in the environment!), but if her methimazole is given transdermally, you need to discuss that with your vet. Ideally, you want to rid the environment of the fleas and then you wouldn't have to worry about flea medication. If you are overly concerned, and your vet agrees, you could also ask him about lightly bathing her with a few drops of Dawn dishsoap (the original regular, blue type) and lukewarm water, rinse and dry fur thoroughly, and accompany this with the use of a flea comb. Your vet may also have a safe flea shampoo for cats, but use only on his approval, direction or let him do so himself, most all over-the-counter flea shampoos for pets are toxic or contain ingredients that can aggrivate sensitive skin and you have to be careful about ingestion by grooming, licking etc (this is where those "natural" ingredients are harmful, read the link above, in it's entirety about these ingredients). The best thing to do is take her in to your vet so he can determine the extent of the fleas, and recommend treating her right then and there at the clinic. It could be all that is needed, is a quick rinse with an appropriate product, but you MUST ensure that the environment at home is addresssed!

On another note, chemo does not usually cause elevated kidney enzymes, is there a renal condition surfacing? Did your kitty also by chance have radioiodine therapy? Do you regularly check her kidney and liver levels? It could be her thyroid condition and/or medication that is predisposing her to renal impairment, please discuss that with your vet and ensure you are staying ahead of that. Also ensure that you are checking her blood pressure regularly. Do you have a feline cardiologist overseeing kitty's heart condition? If not, ask your vet for a referral.

[LoriC]

Thanks for your response. My cat is primarily an indoor cat but she is allowed to go out on the back deck or front porch with supervision. No other pets in the home. During her chemo treatments the vet gave her a drug out of sequence. We were upset with the way the vet handled the error (originally denied it) so we switched to a Board Certified Vet. Oncologist. She told us the chemo treatments given by the other doctor were extremely high doses and that the kidney values and other blood work were not being checked as they should have been. She attributed the elevated kidney values to the high doses of chemo. The kidney values were steady for the 5 yrs. since chemo but have gone up recently as we try to get a handle on her thyroid problem which was just diagnosed in March. She has not had any radioiodine treatments and her Meth is a liquid solution given orally (mixed in her food). She is seen by a veterinary cardiologist on a yearly basis for ultrasound and BP check. We also check her blood levels (complete chem panel with CBC and thyroid) every few months.

[mamabear]

I have nothing medical to add, but having had an 14 year old kitty with Hyperthyroidism and having it myself that I pray she will get better soon. Great job on leaving that dr. that you didn't think was giving the best care they should have been giving. Kudos to you!!! And hugs to kitty!!!