My poor Cat tinkerbell has fleas and I have tried all sorts of treatments but nothing seems to work, do you think if I shaved her it might help, or should I take her to the Vet?
2007-11-23 03:16:39 · 31 answers · asked by Jenny O 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Lol maybe just trim it nice and neat so that it is easy to apply any soothing lotion required!!! poor *****!!
2007-11-23 21:36:53 · answer #1 · answered by Chelsea Shrimper 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Shaving isn't a good idea except in extreme cases of skin or fur problems. What you need to do is get your kitty dipped either by a vet or groomer. And meanwhile de-flea your house.
Wash everything that's washable, sprinkle your carpet and furniture liberally with Borax, or with a flea-killing powder I've seen put out by Arm and Hammer (which is almost the same thing). Let the powder sit about 20 minutes, then vacuum. And vacuum every day for at least 2 weeks- which is about the life cycle of a flea. That way you won't have any new little fleas or eggs laying around.
2007-11-23 12:20:39 · answer #2 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do not shave your cat. Instead, go to the vet. There are many treatments available, Frontline (for fleas and ticks) is the most popular, but is also the most toxic and sometimes does not even work. I suggest Advantage (intended for fleas only) - it is milder, yet more effective. You also need to eliminate the eggs than may have been deposited in the house by washing bedding and vacuuming rugs and furniture that may be infested.
2007-11-23 14:35:27 · answer #3 · answered by theshadowknows 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat has a serious flea problem, then take her to the vet.
They will be able to recommend the proper treatment for her.
You will also have to fumigate your home. Fleas are very adept at getting into the smallest of cracks and fibers. If you treat your cat, but not your home, you will be defeating the purpose of treating your cat.
As for shaving your cat, I have a Maine Coon who gets matted quite easily. No matter how often I brush her, she still gets matted. Upon a recommendation from my vet, she gets a "Lion cut" every spring and every fall.
She loves her hair do and will strut around the house for days afterwards. I really believe that she feels better without all of the mats and hair.
2007-11-23 12:21:38 · answer #4 · answered by Jacqueline B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are steps to getting rid of fleas, my dog got them bad because we had to take her off lea treatment because of an allergic reaction.
First things first, get a good flea shampoo, a vet can recommend one, or you can find one that best suits your cat (make sure it kills eggs, larva, and live fleas. Give your cat a bath to kill the fleas and eggs on the cat.
Next, get a carpet powder that kills fleas and eggs, and a pack of flea collars. Put the powder down and let it sit for about 30 minutes; do this in every room where there is carpet, including throw rugs. Then put a flea collar in your vacuum bag or disposal compartment (depending on the type of vacuum) and vacuum the rooms. I have found for furniture it works best to put the carpet powder under the cushions with the pads, that way it kills everything for a long time.
Finally, get a flea killing spray and go along every counter edge and seam in floors and around heating vents, to insure that there is nowhere else for them to hide.
**Important note, you should do this once a week for a month.
If this doesn't work in the first two weeks, call a vet.
2007-11-23 11:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by MRHickey 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Please take her to the vet.
The over the counter treatments are not as effective as the prescribed vet treatments.
Shaveing her will not help ovally as the fleas will still feed on her even with no fur.
Also get a really god household deflea for all the carpets and soft furnishings
Don't treat the cat on it's own
2007-11-23 11:22:30 · answer #6 · answered by helenateverquest 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY! dont shave her! wash her with anti flea shampoo, for cats, she might not like it, but it works, ask your vet for a place to get it from. you have to wait a couple of months than u will c the affects, wash her every 1-2 weeks, ask your vet about it 1st.
2007-11-23 11:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by Hannin08 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Never shave a cat, its just cruel, take her to the vet who give you some good flea killer and preventive, "Frontline" is very good and you can buy it over the net without prescription.
2007-11-23 11:20:27 · answer #8 · answered by isleofskye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to treat your whole house (especially carpets and soft furnishings) not just your poor cat. And don't shave it, for crying out loud.
Get rid of the eggs and the fleas will stop. It's that simple.
2007-11-23 11:19:18 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Good grief. Take her to the vet and get them to recommend good flea powder. Dont shave cat in this cold.
2007-11-23 11:18:51 · answer #10 · answered by **** 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
NEVER shave a cat go to the vet and ask their opinion of the subject.
2007-11-23 12:46:37 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋