Kitten still has fleas?

Kaz2904 · 13 December 2008 at 12:54AM

Hi there, I treated her with frontline and drontal (worming tablet) on the 30th October. Before that she had a kitten flea collar on but removed it so I didn't want to put another on her.
She still has fleas, I've seen flea dirt on her and I actually saw one on her leg the other day. I've been brushing her but don't think it's achieving anything.
Obviously this is not an ideal situation and I want rid of them. They obviously bother her when she's scratching.
What can I do now as she can't have another treatment until the 3 months are up?
Appreciate all your words of wisdom!

mandy2901 · 13 December 2008 at 12:59AM

Hi when you deflead her did you deflea the house and bedding carpets etc too? flea treatments wont stop fleas going on her it will only stop them living on her if that makes sense, you will need to spray the whole house and ensure all bedding is boiled, eggs can live for some time in carpets etc.

Good luck

Kaz2904 · 13 December 2008 at 1:06AM

Argh!
The carpets from downstairs were ripped up and replaced. (Not cause of the fleas!). Upstairs was hoovered thoroughly and all bedding including pillows washed. Didn't actually hoover the mattresses. Should I do that too? (Probably).
I've heard of a different frontline which makes fleas sterile too. Does this mean that eventually they would go anyway?
I will do the whole house with some spray or something but I have read that larvae can lie dormant for up to a year. Oh what a nightmare! Maybe I should shave her? (JOKE!)

~Chameleon~ · 13 December 2008 at 1:09AM

Mandy is spot on :T you need to use a household product such as Vetkem Acclaim or Indorex to treat the house/bedding/soft furnishings etc. Fleas love this time of year when the central heating is on so pay particular attention around radiators and skirting boards etc.

When you do the house, give kitty another frontline treatment too and you should be flea-free before you know it

Btw, fleas don't actually live on animals, they only jump on for a feed. They live in your house in the meantime

Kaz2904 · 13 December 2008 at 1:40AM

Just re-read the destructions for defleaing and it says it lasts 5 weeks so I'm going to re-do her now and then do the house tomorrow.
I feel like such a bad mummy!

~Chameleon~ · 13 December 2008 at 1:53AM

Good idea! :T

Your house will then be protected for the next year and kittie shouldn't need another treatment until April (although you might still see the odd flea around over the next week or two, but don't worry as these will very soon be killed too).

People always seem amazed when they find fleas at this time of year, thinking they'd die off with the cold in winter - which is technically true (the adults die but the eggs and larvae lie dormant until Spring) but when we turn on the central heating in our homes it awakens the eggs/larvae and they continue to breed so people are suddenly faced with an infestation they weren't expecting.

Spraying the house annually either in April or October should take care of any problems, as long as you use one of the veterinary grade sprays as mentioned above. Pet shop products are a complete waste of money

Kimberley · 13 December 2008 at 11:57AM

Your not a bad mummy, we learn all the time

Pete268 · 14 December 2008 at 9:46AM

Kaz2904 wrote: »

Argh!
I've heard of a different frontline which makes fleas sterile too. Does this mean that eventually they would go anyway?

I think you are referring to Frontline Combo (as opposed to Frontline 'Spot on'). It does something to the flea eggs to stop them re-producing or something.

I must admit, I always use this Frontline Combo version (I get it from the vet) and have not had a flea problem at all since using it on my lovely cat.

Its probably best to speak to your vet about it as I think it is only available from a vet (although I maybe wrong).

Peter

Waterfalls · 14 December 2008 at 11:16AM

Frontline combo is a prescription only drug so yes its only avalible fron ur vet im afraid. but it it def a more effective product!!

basically adult fleas can lay up to 50 eggs in 24 hours. towards the end of frontlines life on the pet it may take over a day to kill the adult flea. therefore the flea is able to lay eggs and the circle continues.
frontline combo is more benifical as any of the eggs that will be laid will not hatch therefore preventing and infestation and breakoing the circle

about 95% of the problem is in the home, so need def need to get a decent spray. nothing will kell the pupae stage, best to get them to hatch and then kill them (warm envirmoment etc)

Waterfalls · 14 December 2008 at 11:18AM

p.s fleas collars arnt very good, some can make the fleas migrate to the other end of the body, but dont waste them, put them in ur hoover bag to try kill anything that u suck up

Milford_Cubicle · 14 December 2008 at 11:31AM

I treated my house with Indorex prior to my kitten and puppy taking up residence back in October. I recently treated my puppy with Frontline. At present my kitten (sorry, she's a cat now, passed the 16 week mark :rotfl: ) is an indoor cat as she's not booked into to be spayed until next month. Anyway, I have Frontline for her, but I was planning not to treat her with it until she's ready to go out? There are absolutely no sign of any types of flea in the house or on the animals and downstairs is all hard flooring. Should I have treated her already (she's currently wearing a flea collar, I know they're rubbish but it's a start) or am I right to wait until she's ready to go out? I'll treat her before her vet visit which is in four weeks.

Kitten still has fleas?

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