My cats wound up getting fleas. I didnt think that they would have a problem with them since they are indoor cats....but we live in apartments.
Anyhow, the younger one seems to have them a lot worse than the older one. I got some Advantage for them but I dont know how long it takes until it really makes a difference. Anyone know about that?
It seems since I put them on, fleas have been hopping off like crazy, but the poor kitten has been biting, scratching, and licking her fur non-stop. Is there anything I can do to soothe her until the fleas are gone? Would it help to brush her?
What can I do and what is the right way to do it?
Thanks for any help!!
Oh, also....how does Advantage work? Does it attract fleas to it and then they get poisoned and die?
I am not quite sure how advantage works...but it is fairly quick...about the only thing I can think of to help your kitty would be to sit with a flea comb and a cup of water with some dawn dishsoap in it...comb through her hair and dip the comb into the soapy water to get the fleas and eggs off of it...this might help get rid of some of them faster, and offer and subtle "scratching" sensation without the damage that drastic scratching can do...
Be sure to vacuum all furniture, in between crevices...all carpets and especially around floorboards...
You can put a flea collar into your vacuum cleaner bag to kill the fleas in there, elsewise they will just hop right on back out towards the light coming through the hose...
If your cat likes to be vacuumed...I have 2 that just love it...use the small brush attachment for furniture and gently vacuum them...this might remove some fleas and help with fluffing up the fur and maybe alleviate some of the itching as well...
I wouldn't recommend that Tambrey...since the vaccuum attachments could have been used for something prior (i.e., carpet powder, dirt, etc, all of which could be transferred to kitty's fur and skin). Also would not advise using water and Dawn directly after the Advantage application, as it could have a reaction to the Advantage (tissue reaction)....Unless of course, it is determined that the Advantage has caused a reaction and should be removed from the skin and fur immediately (bathed with warm water).
Firemuse, you need to determine if your kitty is biting/scratching/licking as a result of the fleas, or the actual application of Advantage. While rare, cats may experience irritation from the application. If you didn't get the Advantage from your vet, you can't ever gaurantee the product, you need to be aware of counterfeit products. Also make darn sure the package states it's use is for cats, and not for dogs.
I wouldn't wait around, I'd get your kitty to your vet ASAP to rule out reaction to the Advantage...wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? In addition, you need to find out why your kitty has a "green" tongue, maybe reaching, but you need to now rule out the possibility of a reaction to licking the Advantage. In any event, get kitty seen by your vet promptly,. don't wait.
I did not mean to use water and dawn on the cat...to use the flea comb, dip it in the water to clean it, then I always give it a wipe before combing through again...just to make sure anything is out of between the little teeth on the combs...
Thanks for clarifying Tambrey. However, for other readers, it should be noted that nothing should ever be applied after an application of Advantage or Frontline (and of course, never, never use over-the-counter products)...to do so may intensify the original flea product application and cause severe sensitivity or reaction.
Once an Advantage of Frontline application is done, the fur should be allowed to dry thoroughly (usually within 24 hours). As stated, while it is rare, some cats may in fact, develop a serious sensitivity to these applications and owners need to be aware of what to watch for. If there is an obvious reaction, the owner should call their vets or an emergency vet ASAP for further instructions....this may require prompt bathing of the kitty with warm water, and the vet may suggest using a small amount of Dawn to rid any residue....but the use of Dawn should be at the vet's direction. It may also necessitate an emergency vet exam and/or emergency treatment.
