FLEAS........

[PeeKay]

While you are correct that Permethrin is fatal to cats, it tends to be in relation to an incorrectly applied dog treatment, or cats rubbing up against treated dogs - Defra's own page explains it nicely:

www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/vet/adverse_safety.aspx?PrinterFriendly=True

However, armed with the knowledge leant tonight, I will be looking into alternatives for Bob Martin products going forward.

__

Life itself is a University...

[Gordy]

sorry i know its off subject but it annoys me that they would use it in Bob Martins at all knowing that some pet owners own both cats and dogs or even someone picking up the dog one by accident (or as a cost saver) and using on a cat

[magicma]

Hurrumph!! I've just come in here to sort out an order but latter posts have thrown the cat amongst the pidgeons!!! Back later MMa

[Chrissie]

MMa, hate to throw yet another cat among he pigeons. However, you do also need to be careful about mixing flea treatments. If the cats owner got them from the vets then they are most likely something like Program flea tablets that stay in the system for a month.

[magicma]

Thanks Chrissie and all - looks like I will have to talk to John to find out what he has been using. I know he got it from the Vet though, but said it is expensive. (That's why I thought I would buy some for him/ Dotty)
Think he has run out now though 'cos poor little Dotty is scratching almost continuously.

Back again when I know. Thanks all again - t'ain't as easy as I thought!! MMa

[hissie]

I still promote getting the council out to spray the property. It's a quick & easy job & will be far safer & better than getting more flea products from the vets or any other source.


The flea problem seems to have gotten way out of hand & needs dealing with from the ground up. It's winter & by rights there shouldn't be a flea problem.

[PeeKay]

Jan 31, 2012 17:53:23 GMT hissie said:

It's winter & by rights there shouldn't be a flea problem.

Probably because we've had such a mild one - even plant life is confused at the moment and blooming already (down south it is..)

[magicma]

Back again. Spoken to John - the flea stuff he got from the Vet was SpotOn and was charged £17+ for 3 pipettes, whereas on Be'ls link @ #11, he could get 6 for £18.61 plus p&p
Unfortunately Bel, they are out of stock of the Household Flea Treatment till after 22 Feb.

Chrissie, I will ask him when Dotty had the last of the prescribed ones before I do anything.

Hissie, I will have to tread very carefully before mentioning anything about the Council!!!! I must say I have never felt uncomfortable in his flat or come out scratching etc nor seen him do so either.

Thanks for all the advice etc. Back again later. MMa

[hissie]

The problem is mm that you have to be very careful with the amount of times your having to use the flea treatment. There has to be gaps between using the treatment.

If he has had to use it in close sucession, then it's not good for the cat, especially if the fleas are still alive & well. That's why I'm suggesting the council. One treatment will do the job.

However tis up to you.

[Jemima]

If you do speak to him about getting the council in to spray, please make sure he knows they dont turn up with a big van with "he's got fleas" written on the side. It's just a normal council van like they would turn up in if he was getting the plumbing fixed or the drains. And it's free if hes a pensioner.

Some times all it takes is 1 flea for things to become a problem, even the best kept homes can have a problem if it isn't nipped in the bud right from the start.

I used to visit a relative who was totally unaware they had any kind of problem until I came to stay. I could pick them off my socks just by walking along the hallway It was terrible. I'd come away literaly bitten to shreds. Begged them to call the council and they still refused to admit there was a problem and it must be from somewhere else, because they never got bit. Eventually I had to refuse to go anymore and they finally got the council in and its been wonderful visiting ever since

[Evil Mike]

Just thought I'd pop on here (I'm manager of a pet store so couldn't help it lol) Everyone's right when they say use frontline, it is good stuff that works. Most off the shelf cat treatments only repel fleas so it's worth checking the box if you buy any. Not sure about what the council use to spray properties to be honest, but nothing available to the public will kill flea pupae, they'll kill the fleas and lavae and stop the eggs hatching (check for IGN on the can for the eggs bit). But if the cat is frontlined then the pupae will hatch,jump onto the cat and die. A lot of people assume that the frontline doesn't always work as the pet still gets fleas but it's normally just the left over pupae hatching, eventually they've all hatched and the house should be free. It can take a while though to get all the buggers! Washing bedding at 60 degrees will also kill any eggs etc. Also make sure the cat is wormed as fleas can carry tapeworm.

I love my job, can you tell lol

[magicma]

Thanks for you advice again. I will check his flat over but, as I say, I have never had a problem there nor noticed Himself scratching etc. It is just very cluttered. But I hear what you say and will investigate!!!

Mind you, I've never seen a flea on Dotty - just the constant scratching, although that has lessened a bit lately

Hissie, I also take note of you comments about being careful with the treatment, I will ask him when he had the last prescription and has it all been used. I don't think it is very recent that he has taken her (or been to Vet).

Thanks again. MMa

[Evil Mike]

A good way to check if fleas have been on them is to moisten a piece of kitchen roll, hold it under them and brush the fur the wrong way, catch any debris that falls from the coat on the wet kitchen roll, if it dissolves and turns an orangey/red colour it's flea droppings which are dried blood.

Other things can cause scratching aswell, central heating, air fresheners, dust, and diet can all be factors in excessive scratching. Sometimes (even though they hate it) a bath can clean the coat out and help quite a lot, although I've never actually tried bathing a cat to be honest and not sure I'd want to lol.

[monster74]

I use frontline on Max and touch wood never had a problem with fleas

[hissie]

True Mike...it may not be fleas mm. It could be something else irritating the cat.