Can I wash off flea stuff....

[momPaws]

Angel's FrontlinePlus was applied. I hate that stuff and even to touch it myself...so if I wash the icky spot on her shoulders, after 24 hrs, will it keep it's effectiveness? I am hoping so as they try to get it right down to the skin for a reason.

PS- Just found this on the Frontline website:

FRONTLINE Brand Products remain effective for 30 days, even if a pet swims or is bathed. After application, keep the dog or cat from getting wet until the application area appears dry, usually 24 hours. If a FRONTLINE Brand Product is to be applied after a bath, make sure the pet is completely dry before application.

PPS - I am ticked because I am 99% she got fleas from going to the vets. She never had them before, never went outside...I always wiped my feet thoroughly before coming into the house. But whatcha gonna do!

So now she got the meds and I vacuum everyday, got her a new bed and will wash her little quilts in hot soapy water..hope that all works.

[Traci]

I was about to tell you, until you posted the link, yes, wait 24 hours or so, then you can rinse or wipe the residue off. Or, in the case of irritation, agitation or clear and obvious signs of a reaction, bathe the pet immediately under room-temp running water in the tub with Dawn dishwashing soap (the Original blue type), rinse well and contact an emergency vet immediately and be prepared for an actual trip to the ER for treatment of a reaction.

As long as you have a head start in eradicating the fleas from the environment and have already applied the Frontline for Cats for Angel, chances are, you got a good start in prevention of their infestation, but examine Angel closely every day for awhile and places she sleeps and lounges for any evidence of fleas.

[momPaws]

Tanks, Traci, that Frontline on her freaks me out for her and for me..I hate "pesticides" (I know they don't use that terms), but like the results. But I have a question: Now when I pet her am I being exposed to this stuff, too? They say it goes into the hair follicles, but kills the fleas when they come into contact with the fur...so does this expose me to it too?

[Traci]

To a small degree, yes, it is a dermal application and therefore gets absorbed into dermal layers to some extent, depending on the amount.

But, if you wash your hands immediately after application, you should not worry about exposure. And as long as there appears to be little to no residue or that it has dried to the best extent on Angel's fur, there is probably little risk to you.

Generally, other than the pet, it is children who are most at risk since when they handle a pet who has had an application, the child tends to put fingers in mouth and gets an oral ingestion which can enter the bloodstream. Repeat exposure to pets treated with topicals is also a concern.

[momPaws]

Traci, if I wash her little blankies in hot soapy water (in washer) will that wash off any eggs, etc...a couple of them are cute little quilts I hate to throw away.

[Traci]

Yes, that should work....if applicable to the material, try to add a little bleach with the detergent, the bleach and hot water will kill any larvae. I always use the "gentle cycle", or "permanent press" on lowest cycle setting in the wash, and very low water level, then after the rinse cycle is completed, depending on the material, use only "air dry" in the dryer or dry with low warmth for several minutes and continue with only the "air dry".

I know how important kitty blankies, quilts and throws are

[momPaws]

Is the low dryer setting to preserve the blankies...cause I could use higher heat...thought that would help kill anything that survived the washing (will put thru 2 cycles)

[Traci]

It just depends on the type of material. I'm usually not worried about normal to high heat if the material can withstand it without shrinking it or causing pilling etc. But, for more delicate material, such as some silks used in some quilts, I'd suggest using a low-heat setting or air dry until the entire blanket is dry.

[lmd]

I am just cirious about flea problems. About 20 years ago people moved into the farm across the road and their cat apparently lived in my barn. I had put the cat in a crate for 4 days when it would not leave, and then it went to the "animal guy" when he delivered my dog food. I did not know where it came from. One day I was out of town with some dogs, and we noticed flea dirt on the head of one of them. I was mad. When I got home, I used rotenone powder everywhere, and also diatomaceous earth. I finally got rid of the fleas. Is rotenone powder safe, effective? I also use it on my sheep for their skin bugs.

[Traci]

lmd, I have to ask, if you don't know if it's safe, why use it?

http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/rotenone.htm

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Che ... Id=PC35133

I also heard somewhere that the USDA was or already has phased out it's use, particularly in "organic" farming due to it's toxicity. Just another reason to be informed that "organic" is not always, and is often not what it claims to be in terms of safety.

By the way, any pesticide or insecticide powder has the potential to be toxic, including the diatomaceous earth, since the dust and tiny particles are a high airborne risk to the respiratory system and lungs etc.

Don't assume the cat was the culprit, the fleas could have come from anywhere.