We just got a new kitten and we are guessing that she is about 8 weeks old. She along with her brothers and sisters were dumped in a cemetery but found and rescued by a friend. So we ended up with her. Anyway, that is why we are guessing her age. She is INFESTED with fleas. Tons of the little buggers all over her and she is scratching her hair out and starting to make herself bleed from scratching. All the OTC products say not to use on kittens under 12 weeks. I tried a bath in Dawn and a flea comb and it did nothing but make her shiver like crazy for a couple hours and freaking me out.
What can I do to help my poor kitty? She can't stay this miserable for the next month. Please help.
2007-10-04 00:46:41 · 8 answers · asked by Leslie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yup, you've just discovered what I'm always trying to tell people on here - bathing in Dawn is pointless. It only washes fleas off - once the kitten is dry, it just gets reinfested from the environment - so you need a housespray too.
Go to the vets to get a proper treatment. The reason store-bought products say not to use on cats under 12 weeks is because they're not proper flea treatments. They shouldn't even be used on adult cats, they're often fatal. So stay away from all store-bought stuff!
Frontline spot-on can be used on cats from 8 weeks of age, but since you don't know for sure how old the kitten is, get Frontline spray, which is safe for use on kittens from 2 DAYS of age. It's really the only safe, effective product for young kits and pups. Give her a warm bed after spraying her! It's dry off within the hour.
Chalice
2007-10-04 09:06:33 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bathing takes care of the flea dirt and the stages up to the adult fleas. Unfortunately as soon as you get kitty wet, the adult fleas start jumping.
Since she is a stray, it would be a good idea to schedule a well kitten examination with the vet. A severe flea infestation can lead to flea anemia. And she will probably have intestinal parasites, first because of the fleas and second from eating goodness knows what before your friend rescued them. The vet can give you an estimate on her age and what flea product will be safe to use.
Personally, I like Advantage and that is what I use. It takes care of the fleas, but the odor is not as offensive as some of the other products.
Avoid using any OTC flea product. The insecticide they contain is a synthetic of the chemical the vet-quality products contain. Many animals become sick from this insecticide. I know first hand. Many years ago, thinking I would save a little money, I bought Hartz and applied it to my 5 cats. Made all 5 of the sick. So after I cured the cats, I still had to fight the fleas!
Killing the fleas in the home is the next battle. Wash her bedding, rugs or anything washable that she lies on. Vacuum large rugs, upholstered furniture and carpet often and dispose of the collections.
Purrs to your new little kitten! Enjoy her!
2007-10-04 03:03:37 · answer #2 · answered by Patty O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to paintings as a Vet Tech and I noticed many kittens/cats are available who have been poisoned (torpid) from house owners who purchased over-the-counter flea/tick medicines ~ the vet I labored for mentioned it's principal to get a flea medication that's for the right weight of the animal and over-the-counter medications are regularly simply unreliable exceptionally for a kitten. The exceptional medication (earlier than I grew to be a keep at dwelling mother in 2003) used to be Advantix - it relatively works however it takes an afternoon or 2 due to the fact that the fleas die when they chunk the animal so despite the fact that you should still see fleas they could also be on your condominium so be sufferer! Also it maintains killing fleas for a entire month! They can even supply you frontline and that kills fleas and ticks despite the fact that I have in no way relatively visible ticks on cats. I might say that it might be wiser to move forward and purchase a product you already know will paintings then to waste cash at the over-the-counter stuff (due to the fact that it is highly-priced too) and you already know it's going to be risk-free.
2016-09-05 17:19:28 · answer #3 · answered by balestra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely use Frontline. When used correctly, it is effective. You also need to wash pretty much everything you have- bedding, kitty beds, pretty much anything that is fabric and can fit in the washing machine! I would recommend an area treatment for your house such as Knockout spray, your veterinarian may carry it. Over the counter flea "bombs" and similar products are not very effective and you will just end up wasting your money. The best products will be found at your vet's office. You also need to vacuum your house thoroughly. Under couch cushions, by your baseboards- everywhere! Fleas love to hide. Also, after you are finished with vacuuming, you should throw the bag out, even if it is not full. The fleas can actually crawl back out, that is how relentless they are. Once you have your flea problem solved, I would recommend having your kitty tested for feline aids and leukemia, if you have not already, and starting its vaccination series. Good luck!
2007-10-04 01:08:41 · answer #4 · answered by ZeroCharisma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had indoor cats for 12 yrs with never a flea problem until a friend brought her new puppy over. My house and cats were infested before I knew what had happened. You not only have to control the fleas on your cat but also your house.
I went to the vet and got some pills called "Capstar" They killed all the live ones on mine within hours ( we could see them dropping off) and we've had to bug bomb our house twice (about 2 wks) apart and are going to do it at least 1 more time. 6 pills cost about $10. at my vet but they worked great and they are for kittens too. Get a hold of this before it gets worse cuz it will get worse, believe me. But you can get ti taken care of, it is just a hassle on the house end of it, but those little things are in your carpet and clothes, we even had them in our basement that has concrete floors and our cats don't go in our basement! Good luck, but call your vet, they do have medication to ease the discomfort your kitty is having.
2007-10-04 01:45:16 · answer #5 · answered by mrscda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frontline SPRAY is most effective and can be used on kittens from 2 days old. Just don't use too much and avoid her eyes and mouth. And don't let her lick it while she is still wet.
Also, selamectin 15 ml spot on (Revolution pink) can be used from 6 weeks old.
Frontline is not toxic and works well, I'd go with that, the spray is best to kill existent fleas. And Revolution pink is fine, I've used them both on very small kittens, no problem, but the spot on is best for prevention.
2007-10-04 00:52:38 · answer #6 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go into a pet product store and see what they have for fleas. Usually when you get flea treatment you're supposed to use the whole tube but I wouldn't think it would hurt for you to use about 1/4th of it to take the edge off. Call you local vet and see what they recommend.
2007-10-04 01:28:34 · answer #7 · answered by renee1724 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try washing her in gamawash, it will not hurt her in any way, its very good for fleas and ticks on all animals
2007-10-04 00:58:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋