Help - major flea problem!

[hellokitty]

Hello all! I am in desperate need of some advice! At the end of June, I used Frontline on my 8 cats (very expensive). Turns out, the flea problem in my house is even worse! They are all indoor cats and I was told by vet that I can't apply another dose of Frontline or Advantage for at least 30 days! I was planning on "flea bombing" the house tomorrow along with washing all of the blankets, bedding, draperies, etc. Any advice as to what I can do since I can't apply another dose on the cats yet? Do flea baths work? Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aurie]

Either of the topical flea applications will not prevent fleas from getting on or biting your cats. What is does is kills the fleas after they bite. That doesn't get rid of what is already in your house. You should use a bomb every two weeks in your home until you have the infestation undercontrol. The bomb does not kill the flea in the pupa (sp?) stage. That stage has about a 2 week life cycle, thus the bombing every two weeks.

The labeling on both products that you mentioned states that you can bath the animals and it won't wash off the product. I would however watch my cats closely if you decide to bath them with another flea control product. Some cats can be overly sensitive to chemicals, especially if they are an aged kitty. If you have an older cat or one that has shown a sensitivity before, I would call your vet and ask them if they have any flea products for older or sensitive cats.

Good luck. A flea investation is about the harderst thing to combat.

[mrspunkysmom]

The fleas may not be all over the house. Fleas can nest in certain areas, particularly where the animal lays. Find those areas and spray. I had two areas in my current place and it was a while before I found the second place. Once I found it, I've had very few problems with fleas. This place could be under a bed or couch, in a closet, or whever you cat decides to park his or royal self.

Change bedding and blankets that they sleep on. And so on.

If you 'bomb' your house, you have to seal everything that can be a food container or surface and then wash everything else, including wiping counters and such off. aurie is correct. Cats are very sensitive to chemicals. Since cats rub everything in sight, it is important to clean all surfaces your cats may touch.

In one place I lived, I had an exterminator come in. It was easier. We had to be out of the home for 1 hour and he didn't bomb. I did protect food services, but it wasn't that extensive. His stuff was more lethal for the flea but dissipated and deactivated after 1 hour and was much safer.

The fleas could also be under the home and attracted to a water source.

Good luck.

Anne

[momtomany]

You could also go to one of those you do it yourself exterminator places and purchase what you need without bombing your house. We had to do that a couple of years ago in our house and it was much easier. You did need to go back and spray a second time to get the fleas that are still in the egg stage. The type we purchased we could as place on our animals and was not toxic to them. You really do have to be careful as many of the store bought products will make your pets very sick. One of my dogs, initially had a sensitively to flea bites, and we were allowed to treat him every three weeks. Maybe your vet would allow you to do so. Good luck.

[Catty1]

I'd go with a professional - they know where to hit and hav done it before!

Plus, they might have a warranty on their services.

Check out the costs. I think it would be well worth it. (Might not have to do laundry either.) Could you board your cats at the vet while it is being done?

good luck!

Catty1

[Catlady711]

I know I'm new here, however I have been a vet assistant for over 5 years, and this is a very, very common question we deal with every day. So here's my standard 'flea speech'. lol

Start of 'flea speech'

By the time a person notices fleas jumping on them in their houses or biting the family you already have a very, very bad flea problem. To prevent that keep a careful eye on your pet looking for fleas. Fleas can either be identified by actually seeing the adult flea, or by seeing little black specks the size of a pin head close to the skin (those are flea droppings, yuck). A cheap flea comb from any pet store will help with this especially if your pet has dark or long hair. On cats fleas are more typically found around the head/neck area. On dogs they are usually found along the spine near the tail, or on the belly.

A single female flea lays about 2,000 eggs in her lifetime! Out of the flea population ONLY 5% is visable as adult fleas. So for every five fleas you see, there are 95% more microscopic immature flea larva/eggs that you can't see. Immature fleas can live inside carpets, pet bedding, etc for up to 2 YEARS before hatching. Fleas can even manage to reproduce in homes with only hardwood flooring in cracks and crevices.

Frontline PLUS is the product our hospital recommends, and I also use it on my own 5 cats every summer, and I have never had a flea infestation.

Frontline PLUS is a liquid you put on the back of your cats neck on the skin. It soaks in and attatches to the oils in your cat and circulates over the whole body. Within 24 hours it goes to work. It is important not to bathe your pet for 2 days before and 2 days after using Frontline PLUS, as bathing washes the oil out of their skin and make it hard for the product to circulate properly. However after that 2 day period if you want to bathe your pet, go ahead, it's in your pets skin and is waterproof.

Frontline PLUS works at fleas 2 ways...

1. Fleas are killed upon contact with a pet with Frontline PLUS. Fleas do NOT have to bite the pet for it to kill the flea. It kills the flea before it's had a blood meal (which is required for reproduction).

2. It also contains a 'growth regulator' that as your pet sheds hair/dandruf, it carries the PLUS part of the ingredients down into your carpets, pet bedding etc. This messes up the life cycle of the larva so they never hatch into adult fleas. This part of the process takes patience, however it is the most important part.

Regular and long term use (1-2 years without missing a month), will eliminate the need for messy/expensive flea bombs, sprays, powders, dips, collars etc. Frontline PLUS is somewhat expensive, however once you realize how much money has been spent on all the other things that don't work, not to mention the dangerous chemicals, it is def. more cost saving to use Frontline PLUS. The main ingredient of Frontline PLUS (fipronil) has been used in fruit orchards in the US since the 1980's and ONLY affects the system of an insect, not mammals, so it's a safe product.

Other OTC flea products contain more risky ingredients like pyretherins/phenothrins which are not only unsafe, (EPA about Hartz flea and tick drops) but also don't work well. Most OTC flea products only kill the existing adult fleas on your pet at that moment. So you can bathe away in a chemical laden bath and the moment you set your pet back on the floor...whamo, you've got fleas again.

End of standard 'flea speech'. LOL

I don't know where you live, but in our area we have winters. In our area we'd recommend you use Frontline PLUS every 30 days right through this winter, through next summer and fall, and if you see absolutely NO sign of fleas you may be able to stop for that winter, but resume again in the spring. If any of your pets go outside it's even more important to keep on top of things, as they could bring new fleas in to join with the ones you already have. If you live in an area that doesn't get winter, then you should just use it all year round, because it's always warm enough for fleas to be active.

Merial (the maker of Frontline PLUS) has information on their website about it, as well as a link where you can get coupons to use at your vets office when you buy it. Merial also frequently runs special deals where you can get a free tube or two if you buy x number of tubes at one time. Also be a little leary of a vet that insists you make an appt. just to get Frontline PLUS, it is not necessary unless your cats are having other issues such as skin infections from scratching.

It's always easier/cheaper to prevent fleas rather than deal with a problem once you have it.

Hope that helps.

[DianeSnizzy]

Just wondering.... are cat fleas harmful to humans??

[Catlady711]

Just wondering.... are cat fleas harmful to humans??

Yes, that's one more reason it's important to prevent fleas in the first place, as well as take immediate action against flea infestations. Fleas can transmit a number of diseases to your pets and their human families. That's not saying every flea bite will contain disease, but it's certainly not worth the risk!

For the long winded, big worded details, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has an article on flea borne diseases.

[MajesticCollies]

If you want an alternative to the chemicals try some holistic all natural approaches. here is two I can recommend



1. Diatomaceous Earth. This is a all natural substance from the earth. It is made up of Silicon Dioxide.It is long lasting when kept dry. It is a mechanical insect killer.Insects cannot become immune to its action. When they come in contact or ingest it, they will die in 48hrs. It will not harm your pets. If you apply it on your pets dont get the dust particles in thier eyes or let them breath it. Ingesting it will not hurt them. Treatment for fleas, Thoroughly treat floor and bedding around pets sleeping quarters. Treat surrounding cracks and crevices, baseboards, carpeting and whereever fleas are suspected.



2.



Non Toxic Flea Treatments

I discovered a formula of natural oils that I apply to my dogs' skin during flea season. That formula seems to repel fleas and possibly even destroy newly hatched fleas. In addition, it helps heal their skin irritation, eruptions and hotspots.

In a 16 ounce bottle, I mix 1 to 2 ounces of Neem oil,emu oil and/or jojoba oil, some extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and just a few drops or half a dram of tea tree oil, To this, I add a tablespoon of golden seal extract. I fill the rest of the bottle 1/2 with organic white vinegar and water. I mix all ingredients well and massage the mixture into the entire surface of the skin or just the affected areas. I do NOT rinse. l usually do this once or twice a week, depending on the severity of the skin condition or flea outbreak. For severe hot spots, I may apply the mixutre 2 to 4 times a day on these spots. ( The only drawback is the tea tree oil's strong odor.).

Neem Oil - The seeds, bark and leaves of the neem plant contain compounds with proven antiseptic, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antifungal uses. Neem is one of the most powerful blood-purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage. For thousands of years, the Indian people have appreciated the medicinal and insect-repellent properties of neem leaves and seeds. Neem extracts have been studied extensively by the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, and have been developed into natural commercial pesticides which are safe for use on food crops.

Lynnie from doglogics makes her own topical treatment for the dogs. She uses it when they go out once a day or if in the woods, more often). It has a glycerin base, to it I add, lemongrass oil, grapeseed oil, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, and a capsule or two of vit E for
preservation. I get all the ingredients at the Health Food Store locally. Works on fleas, ticks, chiggers and blackflies.

Neem products:

• Neem Aura Herbal Pet Spray 8 fl oz
• Neem Bug Free Shampoo 8 fl oz
• Neem Bug Free Repellent 8 fl oz Spray
• Neem Herbal Outdoor Spray 8 fl oz
• Neem Leaf Extract 1 fl oz
• Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica) 1 oz
• Neem Leaf Powder Cert. Organic (Azadirachta indica) 1 lb
• Neem Leaf Powder (Azadirachta indica) 120 Capsules

Here's how I use 100% pure Neem oil on my dog: I mix one ounce of pure neem oil with 2 or 3 ounces of organic white vinegar and 4 to 6 ounces of water. Before applying, I hose my dog thouroughly with water. I shake the bottle real well several times while applying the oil mixture on his entire body, including legs, feet, tail, etc. Then I brush my dog to help disperse the neem oil futher on his fur and skin. I do not rinse him off. Neem oil repels flea immediately and help heal hotspots and promote a healthy skin. My dog stopped scratching immediately! As explained above, I have also use neem oil mixed with tea trea oil, jojoba oil, emu oil and golden seal oil on my dog Shasta, when her skin was in real bad condition. All these oils promote a healthy skin