Help! Fleas! (cross posted from Lounge)

[lizziegrace]

We've got fleas on both indoor cats. Gracie (9 years old) was treated with Capstar and Frontline and she seems to be okay. Widget (almost 18) wasn't treated with either. The vet was afraid with his advanced age, the treatments my cause harm or death. He's become flea central. I comb him every day and he's still scratching like crazy. Any advice? It's killing me to see how miserable he is. (And all the bedding's been washed daily and I vacuum twice a day.) Between this and no water for 3 days due to a well pump failure, I'm losing my mind. (Not to mention what it's done to my torn rotator cuff...)

Thanks...

[MiniMe]

1. Diatomaceous earth

You can sprinkle a bit on their fur and it is a natural flea remedy. Also, sprinkle a little on your carpet. I am not advocating this website, just an explanation of how it works and how to use it. You can get feed grade diatomaceous earth.

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/no_flea.html

[Warpy]

2. First, take him to the vet or a groomer for a flea dip

and then do it again the next week if your vet OKs it. Vacate both cats from the house, boarding them if necessary, close all the windows and outside doors, and use insecticide bombs. Repeat the next week to catch any eggs that hatch.

It's ugly to think about, but that's the only thing that will work on a serious home infestation.

The older cat might tolerate a flea collar, at least long enough to kill any residual parasites around her face and ears.

Fleas are HORRIBLE and there is no natural remedy that will get rid of them completely, alas.

On edit: keep the little buggers indoors after you get rid of the fleas. It's safer for them and for the songbirds. Just make sure there's a window with a perch so they can look out.

[lizziegrace]

3. The irony in all this

these cats are strictly indoor cats. Widget hasn't been out in 16 years and Gracie for 9.

[tsparker78]

4. Shelties

Hi,

Fleas are a terrible problem, but in the South we have ticks to contend with as well. I love comfortis for my shelties, but I am not sure if it is safe for cats or not.

I noticed in a old post that you mentioned your sister bred shelties in TN under the kennel name Windkiss. I have been looking for the contact information for your sister for a number of years. She owned the sire of my sheltie, Taz. His name was Teddy aka Mill Creek's Teddy Bear. If you would please forward my contact information to you sister, I would appreciate it a great deal. My email is [e-mail]. I would be happy to give you my cell number through email.