They have been treated for fleas but nothing seems to be working, bombing the house, powders, sprays, drops, combs, baths, nothing and they look like they are suffering.....help
2007-09-29 11:57:31 · 45 answers · asked by !*Maharette*! 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Just for info...the reason I am concerned about the weight loss and flea connection is because they were fine and fat right until they got the fleas and I know that they should visit the vet but the vets up here feel that you should take care of it at home....
2007-09-29 12:15:42 · update #1
Both cats need to go to the vet to check for the possibility of diabetes or hyperthyroidism (very common in older cats). Both conditions are very treatable and your cats deserve the chance to be healthy and feel good again.
2007-09-29 12:03:30 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do they? Ring round different vets, they can't all be like that surely?
Right - powders and baths don't work. Presumably vets in your area still sell flea treatment - you need to get some Frontline, Advantage or Revolution. If vets in your area really don't sell these (that would be bizarre) you can buy them online. Make sure the stuff gets on your cat's skin, not their fur, and it will sort the flea thing right out. You probably need to spray your house too, with something decent. See what you can get hold of at your vets, but you might just want to go on to www.skooshthefleas.com and get some of this stuff, since it actually works.
I wouldn't think the weight loss would have anything to do with the fleas, unless the cats have contracted tapeworms from the fleas, this is the only possible connection really. Pick up a wormer like Drontal or Milbemax from a vet - that's always the first stop with sick animals, to make sure they're parasite-free. Other than that, there are a lot of things that might cause the weight loss. Are the cats eating? If they're eating ravenously but still losing weight, you're looking at hyperthyroidism, which is pretty common in older cats.
Try to find a vet that will help you. Where do you come from? What is this place in the world with the horrible uncaring vets?!
Please don't waste any more money on store-bought flea treatments. I know they're cheaper, but they don't work, so it is just a waste of money. If you can't find a vet to provide you with proper treatment, buy it online. Email me if you don't know how/where to find them.
Chalice
2007-10-03 05:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fleas don't cause weight loss. And actually the continual use of flea tretaments (these are pesticides remember) can make the cats more ill--their liver and organs have to filter the stuff out of their systems. Adding more on top of more is not helping them.
Thyroid problems or a developing diabetic condition are the likely causes, you need to get them in for an evaluation. A blood panel and urine check can answer a lot of questions.
2007-09-29 13:14:40 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my cat had fleas, it was constantly scratching - and so was I. The fleas got everywhere - and I got bitten like mad. The fleas don't all live on the animal.
If there are no signs like this then you can stop with the flea treatment. If there are, then by all means hoover meticulously, spray carpets & furnishings etc with flea killer. But meantime I think the cats should see the vet for the weight loss to see what's causing it. I doubt it would be fleas.
2007-09-29 12:13:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently bought a puppy who smelled like flea dip, but they assured me it was not. When I got her home she had flea dirt all over her. She was very underweight and her hair was not as full as it should have been. I took her home and gave her a bath in oatmeal shampoo and took her to the vet. He was very concerned because of the amt of flea dirt still on her after bathing her. He explained that the fleas can make a dog her size anemic very quickly and her hair being thin and dry was from the same thing. The dip took care of the fleas and a premium food (we use merrick) has helped. She is seven months old now and has a beautiful coat of hair and is eatting much much better. They can get diseases from flea bites that will make them very lethargic and stop eating. Eye Envy Carrys a shampoo with something in it that repell fleas. I use it weekly on my dog and so far we have not has any on her. Hope this helps
2007-09-29 21:19:37 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why do you think its fleas making your cats loose weight ?i know by my own experience of having cats until a very old age they do tend to get slimmer the older they get no matter how much they eat.it usually means things are not working quite as well as they should like in elderly people they get tired and frail .hopefully it is only old age but it would be kinder to take the old dears to a vet to give them the once over good luck
2007-09-29 12:09:26 · answer #6 · answered by suzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get ADVANTAGE and apply it monthly for 6 months. Then get the cats to a vet for check-ups!!!!!!!
There are a lot of reasons that cats lose weight, but exposing them to all those flea chemicals cannot help!!!!!!
2007-09-29 12:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Losing alot of weight can be a sign of many things including hyperthyroid, kidney disease and diabetes along with other things. If your cats are drnking and peeing excessvely please contact me.
I don't push for vets but you need to go ands have blood tests done to see what is going on.
2007-09-29 12:05:55 · answer #8 · answered by Ken 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stick to low gi foods
2017-04-10 12:29:53 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut your food in to small pieces
2016-06-27 05:19:51 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋