Cat flea problem driving us mad: Help!

geri1965_2

Frontline used to be the best but is definitely not as effective as it used to be. Our cat has flea allergy and we treat her once a month with Stronghold.

BitterAndTwisted

If your cat has a flea-bite allergy you need to talk to your vet about using a preparation which does not require the flea to bite your cat in order to be killed. There is one but I can't for the life of me remember which one it is.

Edit: It sounds like Geri may have answered that now.

Fire_Fox

Rosierabbit wrote: »

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone had any advice on the best way to deal with a recurrent flea problem as my boyfriend and I are tearing our hair out.

My boyfriend has a 15 year old long haired cat who is permanently affected by fleas. We regularly use Frontline as the vet recommended it but it doesn't seem to have helped. My boyfriend has spent a fortune on foggers and flea sprays. We regularly use one of those electronic flea combs. Recently he reached the end of his tether and had the pest control in as a neighbour suggested that the previous tenant had a mangy dog and we suspected that the house might be riddled. The pest control seemed to be quite effective and Puffy (the cat) stopped scratching and licking and being nearly so flea ridden. He regularly attends the vets for a thyroid condition and the last time he was there he also had an injection to treat his lumps and bumps as he is allergic to flea bites. After the pest control and the vets we gave him a bath and a thorough grooming. This was all about three weeks ago and he has been back to his old self.

However, in the last few days the licking and scratching has returned and the sleeping in strange places. We looked at him and found a couple of fleas on him! We just dont know what to do for the best as everytime this happens we feel the whole experience is making him ill and shortening his life, not to mention the amount of money that has already been spent. Is his older age making him more susceptible? He used to just get fleas in the very hot summer months and they were easily treated. He does go outside for about an hour most days but never goes far and we live in the country. Is he picking them up outside and bringing them in with him? We just dont know what to do for him for the best. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you

Most fleas live in your home not on the cat, if the house is infested then just deflea-ing the cat is not going to cut the mustard. Many products you can buy from pet shops are ineffective, you need stuff from the vets or a pest control company.

I once moved into a house which was infested with fleas - we had to have the professionals in three times before the house was completely clear, and we had no pets at the time to bring them in. :eek: Are you doing exactly as the professionals advise, NOT vacuuming and leaving the product down for a couple of weeks? If so get them back under the guarantee for a second attempt.

purplepardalis

I second getting the professionals in again. Get council approved ones - look on your local council website. They will have the cheapest price as well

hotcookie101

Pixiechic wrote: »

Hi,

How often do you treat with frontline? One frontline pipette 0.5ml will cover your cat for 15 weeks. Then they need another application especially if they go outside. Do you wash all the bedding etc too? Fleas can stay in the bedding therefore they would all need a good wash.

Frontline spot on lasts 5 weeks in cats. I would recommend having house treated plus use frontline combo (which is more effective than straight f/l due to addition of environmental tx) or stronghold once a month. Also if you have had a flea problem its important to treat for tapeworm as fleas are intermediate hosts for tapes.

jenna205

I was using frontline and then my Cats got too used to it so started using stronghold and now do not have a problem.

Pixiechic

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Frontline spot on lasts 5 weeks in cats. I would recommend having house treated plus use frontline combo (which is more effective than straight f/l due to addition of environmental tx) or stronghold once a month. Also if you have had a flea problem its important to treat for tapeworm as fleas are intermediate hosts for tapes.

hotcookie - I wonder why the frontline box that I am looking at now for cats says 'Giving up to 15 weeks protection against fleas'?

Sagz_2

I'm another that changed from Frontline to Stronghold and now to Advocate - the Frontline was just not working any more.

When I moved into a flat that had fleas I used loads of off the shelf stuff but the only thing that finally got rid of them was a bloke reccommended by my local council. Would have worked out a lot cheaper to call him first!

Meritaten_2

I cannot help thinking that this is very like the problem with kids and nits! one treatment seems to be touted as being the best - then the little !!!!!!s get used to it and it is not as effective anymore. If it isnt working - then try something else.

~Chameleon~

Pixiechic wrote: »

hotcookie - I wonder why the frontline box that I am looking at now for cats says 'Giving up to 15 weeks protection against fleas'?

Because originally it did but now the fleas have become so resistant to it that it's only effective for around 5-6 weeks, thus the recommendation is to treat every month.

To the OP: I think you'd be better off changing products and use Stronghold or Advocate. Also make sure you spray your house thoroughly with either Acclaim or Indorel which will give 12mths protection. Now is the best time of year to do it as the larvae are all starting to hatch which is why you're noticing and increase of fleas around. As hotcookie has already mentioned, get some Drontal and worm your cat at the same time.