Flea treating a cat who can't be brushed

GobbledyGook

So despite keeping on top of the preventative stuff we have fleas. I spotted 1 on my white cat last night and picked it off. Having a quick look I also found and another one.

Since then I've brushed the other 2 cats with flea combs. 1 flea came off the little cat, nothing of the other big cat, but there was a bit of flea dirt (I think) on the comb.

I've spot treated them all. It was due to be done on Wednesday and the vet receptionist said it was ok to do it a few days early.

The big problem I have is that big white cat simply cannot be brushed. I don't know why (he was 10 when we homed him), but there are several things he just won't tolerate (being shut in one room and being brushed). Over the past few years since we had him I've tried several times. We've used treats and everything, but it took a year for him to be comfortable being petted (now he loves it and practically lives on my shoulder in the evening).

However brushing him results in scratches and a cat who is unhappy and stressed for days. When he's stressed he gulps his food and ends up being sick and it's just a nightmare. Last brushing attempt resulted in 3 stitches in my hand! He bolts at the sight of the comb.

So what can I do? They've never had fleas before so I don't know if re-doing the spot on is enough or do I have to do more. I've sprayed my carpet, washed all my wooden floors and tiles and washed all the bedding. They don't use cat beds (they have them, but just look at them with disdain), but have big folded duvets so I've chucked theirs and bought them new ones.

Is it imperative that he gets brushed/combed? I've looked through his fur, he'll sit for that, but didn't spot any more.

WantToBeSE

I have always treated my cat for fleas without the need to comb them (mine hates the comb too and runs away when she sees it!).

What spot-on are you using, and are you making sure you treat the cats and the home as well?

KxMx

I also flea treat with spot on every month without any brushing or combing.

While using spot on due to the flea cycle it is normal to see the odd one now and again- chances are it's hatched somewhere, found your cat and hadn't yet bitten or been killed by the medicine in his blood.

It doesn't mean the spot-on isn't working especially as you say it was only a couple and with the white cat flea presence wouldn't be hard to see.

Can't hurt to treat the carpet again (and maybe the beds which they might be using without your knowledge or dropped fleas/eggs on at some point) but honestly I don't think you have much to be worried about here. Just keep an eye on them and carry on using the spot on regularly.

GobbledyGook

Great, thanks.

They had all just come in so there is a chance they had picked them up recently. My only concern is it looks like a wee bit of flea dirt on two of them, but they are also both fond of playing on the local building site and have come in filthy twice in the last week so it could also just be dirt.

I'll keep brushing the two that tolerate it, check white cat when he'll let me and do the carpet again. The kids' mattresses are plastic wrapped due to daughters seizures and the cats absolutely don't get into our room so hopefully that should cover it.

I suppose I should tell the woman who keeps feeding big white. She gives him raw chicken even though it makes him sick (she maintains he loves it - which is true, but then he sicks it up in my house!). the bad bit of me thinks 'tough', but I daresay if there are any in her house he'll just bring them back here (I don't mean they came from there - just if he's taken any in then he'll pick them up again)

Jobseeeker

What spot on are you using? You know that frontline doesn't work anymore?(if its that)

GobbledyGook

I'm using Flea Clear. It's been working for a while since Frontline stopped being so effective.

I've brushed the two that will tolerate it today and found nothing. Also had big white on my lap for 10 minutes and found nothing going through his coat with my fingers.

rising_from_the_ashes

I personally wouldn't use any Bob*martin products ......

To get rid of the fleas in the house - you really need to use Indorex

http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/indorex-household-flea-spray-500ml.html?utm_source=pricecomparison&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=googleshopping_free&utm_term=Indorex+Household+Flea+Spray+500ml&utm_content=107&gclid=CJSmztiu6rsCFaXItAodp3EAbA

It will keep the house flea free for up to a year

Kid_Icarus

We have found the best thing for flea treatment in cats is the Program jab.

This is an injection given by the vet (you can't order it online as I believe it is vet only medicine). The jab stays in the cats system for 6 MONTHS. So you only need to take them to the vet for it twice a year. We get it done when they have their annual checkup and vaccination and then 6 months later.

The way it works is that once the cat has had the jab, any fleas that bite the cat become sterile (it breaks the flea cycle). Which means you don't have to remember to put the horrible spot treatment on their necks (which our cats hated), don't have to remember to put it on once a month and of course if your cat hates being combed you won't need to comb the fleas out.

We pay £46 for each cat every 6 months (so £92 per cat per year). We feel it is worth every penny for the hassle-removal factor alone - just take them to the vets, have them jabbed, forget about fleas.

http://www.program.novartis.us/cats/inject-about.htm

PM me if you need further information :-)

monty-doggy

Hello
I use stronghold on my cats, it's prescription only but it does against ticks and mites and worms too. I've never had a flea problem since using it

Jobseeeker

monty-doggy wrote: »

Hello
I use stronghold on my cats, it's prescription only but it does against ticks and mites and worms too. I've never had a flea problem since using it

Yes me too! I never found another one after I used stronghold

GobbledyGook

The spray for the house came from the vets. I can't remember off hand what it's called.

I'll ask the vet about the injection, but taking big white to the vet is an experience and a half whereas getting the spot on takes a few minutes.

Thanks for the tips though. I'll bear them all in mind. This is the first problem we've had so hopefully I've caught it quick and it doesn't escalate to anything more.