there is a flea or something onn my kitten??

Question

i was playing with my kitten and i tumbled her over, and there was this small black oval shaped thinggy on below tummy, it was easy to see cos her tummy is pink and her fur is white. i tried to pull it off, but as soon as i tried, it scuttled over to her leg, where her fur is black. i cant find it now?? i have no idea what it is. she also scartches the back of her ears often, and also inside her ears. i have no idea. i went to the vet about a month back, and the vet said that she is totaly free of any paracites. besides that, my kitten is totally housed in. she has never stepped foot on grass or soil. i live in a apartment. so,
im kinda wondering? what the hell is that? is there fleas on my kitten? and can fleas spread to humans, i sleep with her, so should i change all my sheets and pillows and blankets? i have some antiseptic shampoo for paracites, so should i bathe her immediately> or should i wait until monday to go to the vet?

should i bathe her now?? i have the antiseptic shampoo for paracites.

Answer 1

Yep, it's a flea. And there are more that you haven't seen yet. Go to the vet for Frontline and nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand. Also, spray carpet, bedding, furniture with flea spray. If there's a Petsmart nearby, they have 7 day a week vet care and you can get the meds there. Don't waste your money on the over the counter stuff. Good luck!

If you have flea shampoo, go ahead and bath her. Just keep her in a warm room with no drafts and dry her well with a towel. Use a flea comb to get the eggs out. Still, go to the vet as soon as you can. Fleas can cause anemia and we don't want your baby getting sick!

Answer 2

I'm cringing reading some of the advice here. Please talk with your vet about this personally. Washing and herbs and combing don't get rid of the flea eggs, which will just hatch later, bringing you a second round. On the other hand, the stuff that may really work generally (topical or not) may not be safe for the pregnant mom or the unborn kittens. When you are treating the cat is also the time to deal with the house, getting rid of fleas there too so they don't hop back on the mom and you. You may need to move the cat elsewhere when you treat the house, especially if you "bomb" the house- again, ask the vet and read your labels. So talk with your vet and be sure you're doing the right thing... and develop a plan now for the kittens after they're born to prevent fleas for them, or how to handle it in case they get them. Good luck with your coming family, and bravo for spaying the mom when this is over.

Answer 3

Its funny I use Frontline regularly on my cats but I still see the occasional Flea. I think there is always a chance that there might be one or two hanging around - as long as they are not noticibly scratching heaps. I generally try and do the Frontline as per the pack.. once a month or something?
Best place to check is behind the neck - thats where lots of fleas like to hang out I find :)
Fleas are pretty hard to avoid - i read up on them once and a flea egg can live in a crack of a floorboard for 2 years and if a 'host' (cat) walks past and it gets attached to that - it will then hatch. No matter how clean we are, or how often we use sprays or home extermination products they are sneaky things!
In the end they dont cause too much damage unless your pet has a fair number of them (pull apart its fur and notice 'flea dirt' where they suck and break the skin - the tiny dirt is dark blood)
Sorry if this made no sense its late here in Australia :) Dont stress too much!! A bit of flora and fauna never hurts!

Answer 4

Indoor cats can still get fleas.Fleas like to hitch rides on peoples clothes, shoes, etc. Even though the fleas weren't seen when you were at the vet doesn't mean she didn't have fleas.Fleas don't stay on a pet 24/7, they only get on to feed and to lay eggs.
Do NOT use any OTC flea products (including flea collars). They aren't very effective and they can be dangerous to your cat, causing neurological problems, seizures even death.
Flae shampoos can be harsh.I recommend using Dawn dishwashing liquid, rinse well and dry in a warm area away from drafts. Then in 24 - 48 hours apply a safe flea product from your vet such as Frontline Plus or Advantage.
Make sure you vacumn your house thoroughly everyday and throw away the bag in an outside trash container after each vacumning.
Fleas from pets do not live on people so you have no worries there.

Answer 5

Probably a flea. She does doesn't need to be out side. Another animal visiting or a human can bring fleas into the house. Fleas jump from a person's clothing. It is not a mater of cleanliness.
I have had excellent results with my dogs and cats using the "Frontline" product. I have only to put it on the animal once as soon as I see a flea and one application lasts until next summer. So don't be put of by the cost there are 6 applications in a box.. Fleas lay lots of eggs so start the product right away.

Answer 6

It's a flea and yes they can bite humans. They will not linger like they do on the animals, but they will bite us. you should give her a flea bath find appropriate stuff for her age, also Head and shoulders is good it will kill the fleas and not harm her. Take a close toothed comb like a lice comb and go over her with it. If you find any have a bowl of Rubbing alcohol ready and toss them in it. It will kill them. As far as your bed and stuff. Get some flea spray and spray the whole room. Or bomb it but you and the cat need to stay out of it for a few hours. It doesn't matter if she stepped on grass or soil. If by chance you brought it in or someone else in the apartments have a cat or dog with them, they will find their way to your kitty. When she is old enough have her treated monthly for them and she should be fine. Have to be very careful about what you use with her age and also it has to be kitten and cat products. Dog dip and flea shampoo could kill her. Good luck.

Answer 7

I have been using Revolution for a few years now, which also works to prevent numerous other parasites and heartworm. I have 7 cats, indoors only, but all rescues from a variety of shelters and foster homes. My vet has never found a flea on them, even after my parents new puppy (unfortunately purchased, not rescued) was totally infested to the point of having an actual "nest" on the back of her head. I would not touch anything not purchased from my vet (collars, shampoos, etc). The scratching is definitely a sign of something! I have read that cats can be allergic to the fleas and may develop bald patches on their bodies. My parents didn't do anything special in the house as far as steam cleaning the carpets, sprinkling powders, etc. A few visits to the vet was all that was needed. We are in Ohio so they may not be as aggressive as they are in warmer climates. Good luck!

Answer 8

Yes you kitten has fleas. Dont worry though. Your vet can help with this. Fleas can come from anywhere. Even from you on your shoeswhen you come inside. Most likely someone else in your building has a dog who has fleas and they came inunder your door. They can bite you but will not live on you. See your vet monday and also notify your landlord that the bulding needs to be sprayed.

Answer 9

Fleas jump they don't scuttle so if it scuttled, it's probably not a flea. Cat fleas will bite humans, it's not dangerous but it isn't very pleasant. It's probably worth getting her treated for fleas anyway, ask your vet about what is best. Regarding the life cycle of flea they will lay eggs in your soft furnishings but normal standards of cleanliness should keep them at bay. Put a flea collar in your hover bag to be sure of killing off any eggs or flea maggots.

Don't panic though, it's normal for cats to get fleas, providing you treat them asap it shouldn't cause any major problems.

Answer 10

Yes, it can be a flea. Our cats are indoor and they still get fleas
How?
You can bring fleas in on your shoes,body,clothes anything if it goes outside. Since it is almost winter here- (where I live) the fleas usually die off in the winter .... so , if where you live is going to be winter soon, your cat should lose them