"mange" is often a generic term used to mean a lot of different things. Technically, it is a mite infection, which is treatable. Another possibility that hasn't been mentioned yet is ringworm (a fungal infection) which is also treatable. If it is mites or a fungus, either can be transferred to humans, so that makes treating the kitty even more important.
I agree with all of the other posters. Traci gets right to the point and doesn't pull any punches, but she has a heart of gold and is very concerned about all animals. Words that you might have felt were a bit harsh were intended to encourage you to seek treatment quickly by reinforcing what I'm sure you already knew as to the reasons why you needed to do so.
Welcome to our Board. We all love animals here and love to tell stories to or ask for advice from our cyber friends. Many of us have been reading each other's posts for years. We've been through sickness, new puppies/kittens, and the losses of our furry friends together. We're always glad gain another friend.
cat scratching, sores and cuts
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
So, I called the vet. Yup, have to have cats and people out of the house because "the spray is toxic to cats". Ok, NO WAY. If it is toxic to cats, whose to say it won't make me or my son sick. I have vicious allergies. I have a very old worn out wall to wall carpet and who knows how much of the spray would remain stuck in the carpet padding if there is any even left under there. Spray my furniture? No, I really don't think so. I lay on my couch all the time.
I am going to go with the vacuum every day, once in the morning before I go to work and again before I go to bed. I am going to put the flea killer things in the vacuum canister thing. I have one of those bagless ones so I am going to take the whole thing outside to empty and then tie up the bag and leave it outside till trash time. I am wondering if flea powder would be as effective as the collar idea since I have the bagless kind and it whirls everything around. Seems like the powder would whirl around with the fleas and kill them for sure.
I am going to go with the vacuum every day, once in the morning before I go to work and again before I go to bed. I am going to put the flea killer things in the vacuum canister thing. I have one of those bagless ones so I am going to take the whole thing outside to empty and then tie up the bag and leave it outside till trash time. I am wondering if flea powder would be as effective as the collar idea since I have the bagless kind and it whirls everything around. Seems like the powder would whirl around with the fleas and kill them for sure.
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
Get a spray bottle and fill it with warm water and BLUE DAWN dishwashing soap. Spray your carpets and furniture and let it dry, then vacuum. Something in the blue Dawn kills the fleas. I had a sticky here about it but it's gone. In any case, that's what I did in the past when I rescued a litter that were overlooked for fleas. Haven't had any problems since and that was 7 years ago. Good luck!
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
No, don't use flea POWDER in the vacuum canister, use only the cheap flea collar in the canister, then toss it and the canister's contents when done, outside in a sealed trash can. The problem with the powder is that is it extremely fine powder and can escape through vacuum bags, canisters, air holes around the vacuum. With the use of a flea collar, you have minimal contact, and no escaping of fine dust/powder.
Also, did the vet tell you to apply the Revolution? You stated he already applied a topical flea solution when you got Kitty seen. You can't give more than one topical flea solution within 30 days. Only ONE application every 30 days. Call the vet and ask what exactly he used, and why he told you (if he did) to ALSO use the Revolution.
Yes, you can also try Cleo's method of using Dawn dishwashing soap, I'd personally do both - use the vacuum religiously, and use the Dawn on the carpets, furniture, etc.
Also, did the vet tell you to apply the Revolution? You stated he already applied a topical flea solution when you got Kitty seen. You can't give more than one topical flea solution within 30 days. Only ONE application every 30 days. Call the vet and ask what exactly he used, and why he told you (if he did) to ALSO use the Revolution.
Yes, you can also try Cleo's method of using Dawn dishwashing soap, I'd personally do both - use the vacuum religiously, and use the Dawn on the carpets, furniture, etc.
..........Traci
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
Yes She did tell me it was to be applied once a month. Ok on the flea powder. Collar it is.
New problem just started now. He is vomiting. First two little half dollar size spots were bloody and the next few times were like sludge and the last few was brown liquid.
I have a call in to the vet.
New problem just started now. He is vomiting. First two little half dollar size spots were bloody and the next few times were like sludge and the last few was brown liquid.
I have a call in to the vet.
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
I don't get it, the vet applied a topical flea product, did she in fact tell you to apply it again when you got home?
The vomiting could be stress, but could be a reaction if you gave Revolution AND the vet gave a full dose of something when she examined him.
The vomiting could be stress, but could be a reaction if you gave Revolution AND the vet gave a full dose of something when she examined him.
..........Traci
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
Maybe I misunderstood what she gave him. Here is what the receipt says:
Convenia injection (per 1mL)
Depo Medrol Injection (per mL)
Then she told me to give him and Scout the Revolution that night before we went to bed so they would not be petted for 8 hours. That is what I did.
I called the emergency number and they called me right back. Said it could be from the food change, or just an upset stomach.
I had to go buy Pepcid 10mg and give him 1/4 of a tablet and quarantine him in a room for the night with no water and no food, just his litter box and some comfy bedding. SO he is up in my barn board floor spare room with a pillow and blanket and the puffy pillow from my computer chair that he sleeps on.
My living room rug is covered in wads of toilet paper marking the spots where he threw up so I can get my little rug cleaner out.
They said if he is not better tomorrow to call them and they will see him.
Convenia injection (per 1mL)
Depo Medrol Injection (per mL)
Then she told me to give him and Scout the Revolution that night before we went to bed so they would not be petted for 8 hours. That is what I did.
I called the emergency number and they called me right back. Said it could be from the food change, or just an upset stomach.
I had to go buy Pepcid 10mg and give him 1/4 of a tablet and quarantine him in a room for the night with no water and no food, just his litter box and some comfy bedding. SO he is up in my barn board floor spare room with a pillow and blanket and the puffy pillow from my computer chair that he sleeps on.
My living room rug is covered in wads of toilet paper marking the spots where he threw up so I can get my little rug cleaner out.
They said if he is not better tomorrow to call them and they will see him.
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
The convenia is an injectable antibiotic.
The depo-medrol is an antiinflammatory.
So, I'm assuming the vet never gave any flea product when Kitty was seen. If not, you're ok.
The no-food advice is ok, but Kitty should have a small dish of water available to him. Vomiting, if excessive, can lead to dehydration. If you're not comfortable with leaving a dish in his room, at least offer him several sips of water, see if he keeps it down within two hours and if so, give him several sips of water then and every two hours, until you go to bed for the night.
In the morning, offer small amounts of his normal food, every few hours to see if he'll keep it down. Provide a clean bowl of water for him to sip throughout the day. If he keeps food and water down throughout the day, feed his normal amount of food from that point on.
The depo-medrol is an antiinflammatory.
So, I'm assuming the vet never gave any flea product when Kitty was seen. If not, you're ok.
The no-food advice is ok, but Kitty should have a small dish of water available to him. Vomiting, if excessive, can lead to dehydration. If you're not comfortable with leaving a dish in his room, at least offer him several sips of water, see if he keeps it down within two hours and if so, give him several sips of water then and every two hours, until you go to bed for the night.
In the morning, offer small amounts of his normal food, every few hours to see if he'll keep it down. Provide a clean bowl of water for him to sip throughout the day. If he keeps food and water down throughout the day, feed his normal amount of food from that point on.
..........Traci
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
I just let him out of the room before I read this. He ran right down and had some water and food. That was at 6:30 and it is now 7:00 and he is acting like himself. Yesterday it was within a few minutes of having something to eat or drink that it would come back up. I also think he enjoyed having his own room for a night. He acted like king of the hill when I opened the door this morning.
Unfortunately I have to go to work in about 15 minutes and won't be back until around 2:00 but my son is here and will be up from around 9 but he has to go to work too.
Hopefully there are no new spots when I get home.
I thought one of those shots was for the fleas. I must have really misunderstood her. I guess I should start carrying around a tape recorder.
Will let you know how he is later on.
Thanks.
Unfortunately I have to go to work in about 15 minutes and won't be back until around 2:00 but my son is here and will be up from around 9 but he has to go to work too.
Hopefully there are no new spots when I get home.
I thought one of those shots was for the fleas. I must have really misunderstood her. I guess I should start carrying around a tape recorder.
Will let you know how he is later on.
Thanks.
Re: cat scratching, sores and cuts
Well I just got home from work and there are no new spots anywhere so I guess that crisis is over too.
Now I have to get out my little spot rug cleaner and go around cleaning all the spots! I have a big one but I loaned it out and haven't got it back yet.
Thanks to all.
Now I have to get out my little spot rug cleaner and go around cleaning all the spots! I have a big one but I loaned it out and haven't got it back yet.
Thanks to all.