i have 2 9week old kittens and they have fleas very bad to the point where they are digging them selves open can i give flea medication or not?
2007-10-04 17:17:21 · 15 answers · asked by Tabatha m 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
First question to springs to mind is - why were the kittens allowed to become flea infested in the first place?
In response to your question though, yeah they probably are old enough to be treated for fleas with commercially available products.
I would suggest however refraining from these as weight is also a big determining factor here.
And most flea treatments are for EXTERNAL USE only and not suitable for animals with wounds.
I'd be more inclined to bathe them regularly using a flea soap.
The animals can be rinsed off in water, soap residues minimised, the fleas eradicated and the problem solved.
It should also help soothe the inflamed skin too!
They wont like being bathed and you'll probably cop a few scratches/bites...but at least the kittens are young so it shouldnt be too bad!
The best solution at the moment however is to KEEP THEM CLEAN!
2007-10-04 18:43:34 · answer #1 · answered by Rygar 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Veterinary spot-ons can be used from 8 weeks of age. If your kitten is especially tiny, you may want to use Frontline spray which is safe for use on kittens from 2 days of age.
Just don't use anything from a pet store - I don't think you'll find anything there for cat under 12 weeks anyway. Pet stores don't sell products that actually work, so don't even use them for your cats when they're grown up.
You will need to spray your house too, because this is where most of the fleas are living.
Chalice
EDIT: True, garlic shouldn't really be given to cats and dogs, it won't help with fleas either, generally. But bath in Dawn or Palmolive or anything are also a myth- no point washing the fleas off, they'll be right back on again.
2007-10-05 00:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They definitely can have a topical flea treatment. A couple of weeks ago I found 2 Ferrel kittens, obviously infested with fleas. I brought them to the vet, she estimated their age to be between 6-8 weeks. I had them de-wormed, de flea-ed, and their first set of injections. The vet used advantage on them. I have found advantage to be a very successful flea treatment. Advantage can only be purchased here in Canada through a vet though. Walk in to any vet office and tell them you want advantage and the approx weight of the kitten, even better if you bring the kitten in a carrier so they can see the exact size and get you the correct dosage. It's been approx 2 weeks since I found the kittens and they are happy, healthy and flea free.
2007-10-04 18:05:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can give them flea med's as long as you use vet prescribed flea medication. If you use something bought in a pet shop will hurt the kittens more then the fleas. I use to work in an animal shelter and we would treat kittens with fleas with revolution. It works in 24 hours.
2007-10-04 17:32:04 · answer #4 · answered by pharfly1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recently rescued a himalayan cat that was infested with fleas. I had to bathe her. The Adams flea bath is the best one for killing them. I would recommend some frontline it will kill them overnight and work for a month so any that jump back on him will then die. I would also recommend washing all bedding on a really hot wash to kill out any there that may be lurking. Like someone else said watch for tape worms. They normally take a few weeks to show up (they look like little grains of rice). My cat got them and I had to treat her with a tablet. You can buy tape worm tablets from select petstores but a vet is probably the best option if you do see them. I found a flea comb difficult to use on my cat as if the fleas turn a certain way they tend to slip through the comb.
2016-04-07 04:55:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO you can't. Unless it weighs enough. Make sure you read the label of what you are using because you can do damage. Last summer I had a flea infestation and my kitten was life 10 weeks and the youngest we could find flea meds for is 12 weeks.
I would suggest taking it to the vets too cause their wounds could also get infected.
2007-10-04 17:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by happygrl1989@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would NOT recommend bathing the kittens in any sort of flea dip involving chemicals! Find a natural flea dip. Your kittens are too young! Years ago I rescued a homeless kitten who was INFESTED with fleas! I thought it would be ok to give the kitty a bath, but halfway through it he died!!! I was broken hearted and spent days bawling my eyes out!
I don't know if it was the flea dip, if he was just a sick kitty and the stress of being bathed was just too much or just what! But I would suggest taking them in to a vet and let them deal with it, or at least call one for some advice.
2007-10-04 17:28:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes! They can have topical Flea medicine at 8 weeks as long as they are healthy and weigh atleast 2 lbs.
2007-10-04 17:19:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you can. Get some good medication from your vet and not somethine cheap and harmful from Wal-Mart or something.
Frontline is good. Tell them that it IS for a kitten and they will give you kitten some good treatmean.
2007-10-04 17:53:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask a vet. Dont put the life of an animal in the hands of the good folks of YahooAnswers
2007-10-04 17:20:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋