I'm not entirely new to these forums, though it has been awhile. I visited here a couple times 2 or 3 years ago, and remembered it to be a reliable source for questions about my cats, so thought I'd come here to seek help about my latest dilemma - fleas. A couple months ago, I took in 2 strays. One of them was an abandoned kitten a coworker found and bottle fed at first, the other was one a guest at work found under the hood of their car (which was a very very lucky little cat). Both have been to the vet and are mostly doing fine. However, the one cat for sure had tapeworms (which the vet gave them Drontal for), and they both have a LOT of fleas, which I have had a very hard time dealing with. First of all, they have both been indoor cats since I took them in, so they aren't getting new ones from outdoors. The first treatment I used was Advantage. I thought it had worked well; Fleas were falling off them everywhere, and for a few days I didn't see any fleas on them. Then, noticing one on myself about.. a week later?, I went through their hair on each of them with a flea comb.. and they were just COVERED in fleas all over again. After contending with the fleas for another couple weeks I finally got them to the vet, and he recommended I try Frontline. I questioned whether another topical application was enough, but he was insistent I try it. So I applied it yesterday, and so far I haven't seen any sign of it working. I just went through their coats with a flea comb until I couldn't find anymore. I picked 12 fleas off my short haired kitty, and (over) 40 off of my long haired! (They have an obvious inclination to the long haired one, though they are within a pound of eachother in size) The fleas were all very much alive, and fat. And my long haired was just full of flea dirt. Needless to say, I am rather upset. Both my cats and myself are miserable, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Besides how gross they are I'm aware fleas transmit other things too. I've never had to contend with fleas on any other cats I've had, so this is a new experience for me. I have applied both Advantage and Frontline to their neck/shoulderblade area with a dab by their tails. And after each treatment I have washed all my bedding, vacuumed thoroughly (which isn't hard - I have a small apartment), and just generally have done a lot of cleaning. What other options do I have? I've heard about pills that inhibit the growth process of the fleas - is it time to try these?Advice for fleas
Advice for fleas
Hi all. I'm not entirely new to these forums, though it has been awhile. I visited here a couple times 2 or 3 years ago, and remembered it to be a reliable source for questions about my cats, so thought I'd come here to seek help about my latest dilemma - fleas. A couple months ago, I took in 2 strays. One of them was an abandoned kitten a coworker found and bottle fed at first, the other was one a guest at work found under the hood of their car (which was a very very lucky little cat). Both have been to the vet and are mostly doing fine. However, the one cat for sure had tapeworms (which the vet gave them Drontal for), and they both have a LOT of fleas, which I have had a very hard time dealing with. First of all, they have both been indoor cats since I took them in, so they aren't getting new ones from outdoors. The first treatment I used was Advantage. I thought it had worked well; Fleas were falling off them everywhere, and for a few days I didn't see any fleas on them. Then, noticing one on myself about.. a week later?, I went through their hair on each of them with a flea comb.. and they were just COVERED in fleas all over again. After contending with the fleas for another couple weeks I finally got them to the vet, and he recommended I try Frontline. I questioned whether another topical application was enough, but he was insistent I try it. So I applied it yesterday, and so far I haven't seen any sign of it working. I just went through their coats with a flea comb until I couldn't find anymore. I picked 12 fleas off my short haired kitty, and (over) 40 off of my long haired! (They have an obvious inclination to the long haired one, though they are within a pound of eachother in size) The fleas were all very much alive, and fat. And my long haired was just full of flea dirt. Needless to say, I am rather upset. Both my cats and myself are miserable, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Besides how gross they are I'm aware fleas transmit other things too. I've never had to contend with fleas on any other cats I've had, so this is a new experience for me. I have applied both Advantage and Frontline to their neck/shoulderblade area with a dab by their tails. And after each treatment I have washed all my bedding, vacuumed thoroughly (which isn't hard - I have a small apartment), and just generally have done a lot of cleaning. What other options do I have? I've heard about pills that inhibit the growth process of the fleas - is it time to try these?
I'm not entirely new to these forums, though it has been awhile. I visited here a couple times 2 or 3 years ago, and remembered it to be a reliable source for questions about my cats, so thought I'd come here to seek help about my latest dilemma - fleas. A couple months ago, I took in 2 strays. One of them was an abandoned kitten a coworker found and bottle fed at first, the other was one a guest at work found under the hood of their car (which was a very very lucky little cat). Both have been to the vet and are mostly doing fine. However, the one cat for sure had tapeworms (which the vet gave them Drontal for), and they both have a LOT of fleas, which I have had a very hard time dealing with. First of all, they have both been indoor cats since I took them in, so they aren't getting new ones from outdoors. The first treatment I used was Advantage. I thought it had worked well; Fleas were falling off them everywhere, and for a few days I didn't see any fleas on them. Then, noticing one on myself about.. a week later?, I went through their hair on each of them with a flea comb.. and they were just COVERED in fleas all over again. After contending with the fleas for another couple weeks I finally got them to the vet, and he recommended I try Frontline. I questioned whether another topical application was enough, but he was insistent I try it. So I applied it yesterday, and so far I haven't seen any sign of it working. I just went through their coats with a flea comb until I couldn't find anymore. I picked 12 fleas off my short haired kitty, and (over) 40 off of my long haired! (They have an obvious inclination to the long haired one, though they are within a pound of eachother in size) The fleas were all very much alive, and fat. And my long haired was just full of flea dirt. Needless to say, I am rather upset. Both my cats and myself are miserable, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Besides how gross they are I'm aware fleas transmit other things too. I've never had to contend with fleas on any other cats I've had, so this is a new experience for me. I have applied both Advantage and Frontline to their neck/shoulderblade area with a dab by their tails. And after each treatment I have washed all my bedding, vacuumed thoroughly (which isn't hard - I have a small apartment), and just generally have done a lot of cleaning. What other options do I have? I've heard about pills that inhibit the growth process of the fleas - is it time to try these?
Re: Advice for fleas
Frontline and Advantage are the only 2 recommended for cats....you waited a month between applications, right?...the vet knew when you applied Advantage before telling you to apply Frontline?
vacuuming....vacuuming...vacuuming....daily...especially crevices around walls and floors...
get a flea comb and a cup of wramish water with a few drops of plain blue DAWN dishsoap in it...comb through the cats every day with the flea comb and dip it into the soapy water after every few strokes to rinse it out and drown any fleas/eggs that you pull from them
do NOT use any OTC products on the cats or in your house!!
Another thing you can do is get a flea collar and cut it into a few pieces, putting a piece in the vacuum cleaner bag...this will kill whatever fleas you suck up so they do not hop back out of the vacuum!!
Toss the collar with the bag after vacuuming and use a fresh piece of flea collar...
do not pet your cats after handling a collar until you wash your hands!!
vacuuming....vacuuming...vacuuming....daily...especially crevices around walls and floors...
get a flea comb and a cup of wramish water with a few drops of plain blue DAWN dishsoap in it...comb through the cats every day with the flea comb and dip it into the soapy water after every few strokes to rinse it out and drown any fleas/eggs that you pull from them
do NOT use any OTC products on the cats or in your house!!
Another thing you can do is get a flea collar and cut it into a few pieces, putting a piece in the vacuum cleaner bag...this will kill whatever fleas you suck up so they do not hop back out of the vacuum!!
Toss the collar with the bag after vacuuming and use a fresh piece of flea collar...
do not pet your cats after handling a collar until you wash your hands!!
Re: Advice for fleas
Yes, it was around a month between the advantage and the frontline. And the vet DID know I applied the advantage - I told him its results and he insisted that "for some reason different products work on different animals better", and when I brought up the idea of the pills he said the Frontline and getting through this hot weather should be enough. But the Frontline hasn't done anything whatsoever.
The method I've used is putting the fleas/crud that comes off the comb into very hot water in my sink, and they die within a few seconds. I guess I'll try adding some dish soap to it too and actually dipping the comb in it.
I haven't used any OTC products on them, either, the Frontline and Advantage are the only things I have tried. I am just at wit's end..
The method I've used is putting the fleas/crud that comes off the comb into very hot water in my sink, and they die within a few seconds. I guess I'll try adding some dish soap to it too and actually dipping the comb in it.
I haven't used any OTC products on them, either, the Frontline and Advantage are the only things I have tried. I am just at wit's end..
Re: Advice for fleas
give it time.....it takes a few days to break the flea cycle as well....
I know...it is frustrating....I have a multi cat household and 5 dogs that come and go...believe me....I have dealt with fleas and they ARE frustrating!!
I know...it is frustrating....I have a multi cat household and 5 dogs that come and go...believe me....I have dealt with fleas and they ARE frustrating!!
Re: Advice for fleas
Just gotta ask, are you sure they're fleas? (and not mites?) Do they by chance, have earmites?
And another question, do you trust your vet? Did you actually get the products from his office, and not somewhere else? (counterfeit products or expired products of course aren't going to work)
No, don't use pills, these are generally designed for dogs and I don't think there's enough evidence to suggest efficacy or safety of the ones for cats.
Personally, I would have continued with Advantage since it seemed to target them most in the beginning. It could be the cats had larvae and that's why you're seeing new fleas.
Also, do NOT use any of these topicals on the tail, you in fact wasted the product by doing so, you must follow label directions, this could in fact be why the product didn't work properly, the application on the tail was wasted and not enough of the vial provided to the nape area, which the directions indicate. Also, by putting this on the tail, you risk the cats ingesting the product and causing harmful toxic reactions. That's why the labelling and directions are specific! Placing the product on the skin (after parting the fur) is the most effective, as per label directions. The nape area prevents the cat from licking at the area and prevents ingestion.
For now, use a flea comb first, dip it in a bowl of warm water and few drops of dawn dish detergent, comb through fur, rinse comb, repeat until all evidence of fleas is gone. Make sure the cats are completely dry. Followup with new application in 30 days, NO SOONER! (either Advantage or Frontline, my recommendation would be Advantage but your vet should advise you)
If the fleas are a seriously heavy infestation, and your vet feels they may be at risk for anemia, get them back to your vet for additional treatment (like a flea dip) but ONLY as a last resort. Give the Frontline a chance to work in the next few days, and continue vacuming every single day, wash bedding and the cat's blankets, etc in hot water in your washing machine. Make sure you're not tracking fleas in from the outdoors.
Watch the kitties carefully, heavy flea infestation can cause serious health problems, mainly anemia, hemobartonella, tapeworms, etc. Watch their eating/drinking, attitudes, playfulness and activity....if they start appearing lethargic, feverish, vomiting, dehydrated, recumbant, to your vet or ER vet immediately for treatment! (no time to waste, hemobart for example is deadly if not treated right away, agressively)
And another question, do you trust your vet? Did you actually get the products from his office, and not somewhere else? (counterfeit products or expired products of course aren't going to work)
No, don't use pills, these are generally designed for dogs and I don't think there's enough evidence to suggest efficacy or safety of the ones for cats.
Personally, I would have continued with Advantage since it seemed to target them most in the beginning. It could be the cats had larvae and that's why you're seeing new fleas.
Also, do NOT use any of these topicals on the tail, you in fact wasted the product by doing so, you must follow label directions, this could in fact be why the product didn't work properly, the application on the tail was wasted and not enough of the vial provided to the nape area, which the directions indicate. Also, by putting this on the tail, you risk the cats ingesting the product and causing harmful toxic reactions. That's why the labelling and directions are specific! Placing the product on the skin (after parting the fur) is the most effective, as per label directions. The nape area prevents the cat from licking at the area and prevents ingestion.
For now, use a flea comb first, dip it in a bowl of warm water and few drops of dawn dish detergent, comb through fur, rinse comb, repeat until all evidence of fleas is gone. Make sure the cats are completely dry. Followup with new application in 30 days, NO SOONER! (either Advantage or Frontline, my recommendation would be Advantage but your vet should advise you)
If the fleas are a seriously heavy infestation, and your vet feels they may be at risk for anemia, get them back to your vet for additional treatment (like a flea dip) but ONLY as a last resort. Give the Frontline a chance to work in the next few days, and continue vacuming every single day, wash bedding and the cat's blankets, etc in hot water in your washing machine. Make sure you're not tracking fleas in from the outdoors.
Watch the kitties carefully, heavy flea infestation can cause serious health problems, mainly anemia, hemobartonella, tapeworms, etc. Watch their eating/drinking, attitudes, playfulness and activity....if they start appearing lethargic, feverish, vomiting, dehydrated, recumbant, to your vet or ER vet immediately for treatment! (no time to waste, hemobart for example is deadly if not treated right away, agressively)
..........Traci
Re: Advice for fleas
-I am sure they are fleas
-The vet said their ears looked clean and that they didn't have earmites
-I'm new to this vet, though the products were from his office.
What do you think about Program or Revolution? Are they ok products to use and do they work?
-The vet said their ears looked clean and that they didn't have earmites
-I'm new to this vet, though the products were from his office.
What do you think about Program or Revolution? Are they ok products to use and do they work?
Re: Advice for fleas
Revolution maybe, but since you've already given Advantage and now Frontline, I'd not give any Revolution, unless it is absolutely necessary and if recommended by the vet. While no topical is without risks, the Revolution carries certain risks that Advantage or Frontline shouldn't.
Again, give the Frontline a chance to work, and use the flea comb daily or twice a day until you see evidence the fleas are dying off. Do not bathe or immerse the cats in water, as this will remove most of the Frontline application you just gave.
If the fleas continue past a few days, call your vet again. As frustrated as you are, DO NOT use any other product...mixing and changing them frequently is both ill advised and problematic for the cats' health.
Again, give the Frontline a chance to work, and use the flea comb daily or twice a day until you see evidence the fleas are dying off. Do not bathe or immerse the cats in water, as this will remove most of the Frontline application you just gave.
If the fleas continue past a few days, call your vet again. As frustrated as you are, DO NOT use any other product...mixing and changing them frequently is both ill advised and problematic for the cats' health.
..........Traci
Re: Advice for fleas
Traci, we use Revolution at the shelter and my vet sells it for dogs and cats so we use it on our pets as well. What are the risks you mentioned?
Re: Advice for fleas
They are indicated on the insert inside the package. Mainly fur loss at the site of application, but ingestion problems, other sensitivity problems, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, etc. This is true of ALL topical flea applications, but the ingredients in Advantage and Frontline seem to be more well tolerated in cats. Remember that Revolution contains a different ingredient (selemectin) since it also prevents heartworm, mites, hooks and roundworms, as well as targets fleas. And of course, should NEVER be used on underaged or sick kittens/cats. In a shelter environment, and no health histories, there's always a risk of not knowing underlying health problems before applying this type of application. (of course, in healthy cats with no known prior adverse reactions to the product or no underlying health issues, the risk is reduced significantly)
..........Traci
Re: Advice for fleas
Good news! Today I've been picking through their hair and have found all kinds of dead fleas, but no live ones on them. I guess it just took awhile to kick in?
The reason I asked about Revolution was because it not only kills adult fleas, but it prevents the eggs from hatching, and it seems like the eggs should be treated as well as the adult fleas, or else the eggs will just hatch and they'll have them all over again. I guess if the Frontline continues working for as long as it claims to though, any new ones that hatch will die right away as well.
The reason I asked about Revolution was because it not only kills adult fleas, but it prevents the eggs from hatching, and it seems like the eggs should be treated as well as the adult fleas, or else the eggs will just hatch and they'll have them all over again. I guess if the Frontline continues working for as long as it claims to though, any new ones that hatch will die right away as well.