Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Felix Felicis on August 30, 2009, 11:23:43 AM
-
So I just "inherited" a mother cat with 4 baby kittens, my OH claims to have seen fleas on the kittens last night. I haven't seen any yet but I am very concerned about treating them.
I have been told to get Frontline Spray for them. Unfortunately as it is Sunday of a bank holiday that won't be possible until Tuesday.
I have 1 x pipette of Frontline Spot On which I wonder if I can use on the nursing mother? Also how long I should keep her away from the kittens after treatment.
We are based in Cambridge by the way.
-
Small update: We also have a neighbour downstairs who just got 2 x 6 week old kittens, the owned of the mother wanted to get rid of them asap. One of them is absolutely infested with fleas, so much that you can see them crawling on him. We gave her the number for the Vet 24 service but they were charging £85 for a consultation, which she obviously cannot afford.
Her mother brought round some flea treatment, one of which is "Bob Martins all in one Flea Spray". The directions on the box are 2 squirts per 1kg of weight. She gave the kittens 1 spray on the tummy. If I cannot get the frontline treatment I could borrow some of this Bob Martins spray. Is it suitable?
Thanks.
PS - I am also wondering whether this is something I should report to someone. The fact this owner (who lives across the road) basically forced this girl to take the kittens at 6 weeks, with a huge flea infestation is unforgivable to me. The one who was really bad would not eat at all yesterday and was very weak. She has spoon fed him some which he took and he has drunk a lot of water so fingers crossed he is improving.
-
I dont know what the Bob Martin two in one spray is...is it for cats?
This is very young and really you need the Frontline spray........do you have a decent pharmcist close, cos frontline can be bought over the counter now but not sure whether its just the drop on or also the spray.
DO NOT use the drop on cos the kittens are not old enough.
Any otherr spray you use must be suitable for very young kittens....look at the instructions and nothing should be used that is for dogs.
Is there ant vet nearby that does not use Vets Now.....mind you they will also charge a lot for a call out over a BH I think.
These kittens need to be sorted very quickly cos they will go down hill in a matter of hours at this stage
-
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Bob_Martins_All_In_One_Flea_Spray__Review_5834615
Here is a link to a description of the Bob Martins stuff. It is pesticide free so I guess it's ok for kittens? It may not be very useful though as the review seems to think it's a bad product.
We have some pharmacy but I don't think they stock it or are not open on sundays.
I will try to call CP aswell to see if they have some advice, while I go out to buy a comb.
EDIT- I know not to use spot on @ the kittens, I am wondering whether it is suitable to use it ON the mother. And if so how long to keep her away from kittens after treatment. Have to go buy the comb now.
-
Just seen the other thread and misread 2 for 6 week old kittens......get a flea comb and comb the fleas out as suggested on the other thread.....do not use the Bob Martin.
-
Gosh that took some searching! Have finally found it's OK to use the spot on on the nursing mum but unfortunately it doesn't say how long to keep away from kittens after treatment. Common sense would suggest until it's absolutely bone dry which could be 8 hours or so I'd guess. When you apply the spot on, need to ensure you follow instructions closely and apply in two places to avoid it dribbling to areas she could lick.
http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Merial_Animal_Health_Ltd/documents/S3811.html
Relevant bit is "FRONTLINE Spot On Cat can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating queens."
-
i think kittens would need to be fed before then
-
I just found out from CP there is no way to obtain Frontline spray without a prescription from the Vet. As there is no vet available until Tuesday this is going to be a problem I guess. Going to the store now to buy flea comb.
The kittens are feeding 24/7 so should be no problems there :evillaugh:
-
ALso, you can guarantee they will all have worms if they have fleas. I believe Panacur paste is OK for young kittens but hopefully someone can confirm.
-
Just got back from Pets at Home. Stopped by at The Blue Cross adoption centre on the way to ask some advice.
The woman there told me I can use certain other sprays, she didn't know which ones but to double check for any age restrictions. The Bob Martins spray has no age restrictions, only a weight guideline of 2 sprays per 1kg of cat. Since these cats are only 2 weeks (100g weight?) I doubt I can use it. Also seems quite a dubious product with this whole "sticky net" or w/e the system is...
She said it will be fine to use spot on @ the mother and not to worry about contact with the kittens because they won't be going to her shoulderblade area... I kinda disagree so after the kittens have fed I'm going to do the mum and keep her away for an hour or two. During that time I'll comb the kittens.
It's so frustrating though, knowing they have the frontline spray at the blue cross but can't sell or give it to me... :censored:
-
It's so frustrating though, knowing they have the frontline spray at the blue cross but can't sell or give it to me... :censored:
A quote Ela uses "Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools." - In this case, very true.
Why can't they just give you some? >:(
I was impressed with the info on Hartz website that advises flea combs for very young kittens. The others don't bother giving any info other than the minimum age their product can be used at.
-
Gosh that took some searching! Have finally found it's OK to use the spot on on the nursing mum but unfortunately it doesn't say how long to keep away from kittens after treatment. Common sense would suggest until it's absolutely bone dry which could be 8 hours or so I'd guess. When you apply the spot on, need to ensure you follow instructions closely and apply in two places to avoid it dribbling to areas she could lick.
http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Merial_Animal_Health_Ltd/documents/S3811.html
Relevant bit is "FRONTLINE Spot On Cat can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating queens."
About this, the Frontline that I have in the house is "Frontline Combo" not just the normal Frontline. I have tried to find the same information but it does not list the sentence about pregnant cats on the Frontline Combo page. Now I don't know whether I can use the Combo stuff :Crazy:
This is where I'm looking: http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Merial_Animal_Health_Ltd/Frontline_Combo_Spot-On_Cat/-31462.html
-
http://buyfrontlinecombo.com/
This has the full info on frontline combo
-
"The product can be used during pregnancy and lactation."
Thanks for that link, and thanks for all the help/advice from everyone it's greatly appreciated :thanks:
-
i have frontlined a nursing mum at about this age. didn't seperate the kittens and all was fine.
-
i have frontlined a nursing mum at about this age. didn't seperate the kittens and all was fine.
That's further reassuring, thanks :)
-
Ok so this is going to take a lot of effort!
Just tried to do kitten #1.. All I got from her back was flea dirt and when i tried to do her front she would get very stressed and claw her way back upright. After a while she was really crying and shaking a little so I put her back in with the mum because I didn't want to distress her too much. I know there are more fleas there so going to have to go back on her later.
This could take some hours huh!
-
my ex used to spend many happy hours searching for fleas on the cats and cracking them between his nails :sick:
not my cup of tea, but it cost nothing and was probably better than putting chemicals on little kittens
-
Yes be very careful not to stress them cos two weeks is so young :hug:
I used to crack em like that too but in a tissue LOL..............least I knew they were gone for good!
-
Ok I have the feeling this combing thing is not going to work at all.
The fleas seem to only be on the belly of the kittens. Every time I turn them over to get to the belly they go crazy, clawing and crying and stressing until they get put back with the mum. I can see one big flea on the kitten I'm trying to comb and after 10 minutes I still can't get him off. I'm really wondering what I can do now to get these kittens flea free.
Really need that damn frontline spray why does it have to happen on bank holiday :(
-
Personally Im not keen on frontline spray. The lady we got Poppet from had used it on her just before we arrived to pick her up and poor Poppet foamed at the mouth for ages after. We rang vet and he advised we wash it off but apparently isnt an uncommon reaction to the spray.Poppet was then 16 weeks old by the way
-
sounds like too much had been put on.......someone recommened that you spray it on a cloth and rubbed them with the cloth
-
Well I am really confused as to what to do now and quite worried. From what I hear here this can be quite serious, and the combing doesn't work. Is it beneficial to bath the kittens first?
-
Ideally you need to take Mum and babies to the vet to get rid of the fleas - do you have an emergency vet that will see you ?
-
Actually I just spoke to the emergency vet himself, previously I was talking with a nurse/assistant at the practise, who told me I wouldn't be able to get the spray from them.
In fact the vet said he managed to get some spray for me so I can go and collect it now. Without prescription :shocked:
So after a 3 mile walk into town just to buy a comb which doesn't work I'll now do a 7 mile cycle to get the spray! Wish me luck :innocent:
-
Thats a relief.........lots of good luck ....you have been trying so hard :hug: :hug:
-
Im glad you can get some spray, bathing them would also have helped to rid the fleas over the weekend, not a cure but helps the worse.
Your neighbour needs to be careful, fleas can kill a kitten :( if he is that weak he needs to see someone quickly
-
Just got back with the spray, wondering if I should do it while the mother is there or not. Have to change the bedding in their basket too of course.
About the other kitten, the vet recommended NOT to use frontline after Bob Martins has been applied yesterday which is a real shame as I imagine that spray is a con like most of the pet shop medicines. Hopefully she will take the little ones to the vet tomorrow and they will get sorted.
-
I dont know to be honest cos they are going to smell different......I wouldnt spray the kittens directly though but spray it on a cloth or something and rub then gently alll over.
But then think they need to be kept away for a while till they dry off, so she doesnt lick them...............wish one of the rescues could come one and advise.
These are the tings you needed to ask the vet but you dont think oof till you get home.......sigh
-
It's ok, I just called the vet and asked, should have done that first I guess... Anyway they didn't need to be separated and they are snuggling warm in their basket with mum now and hopefully it's a flea genocide going on in there :)
-
Thats great and I do hope so ;D ;D
-
I'm sure those fleas know when they're up against a determined exterminator - I reckon they all started :givein: hours ago
well done for being so determined to do your best for the little 'uns.................. but we'll need some :print: to be sure the little blighters have all gone
-
Also remember that pets at home vets service is open when the shop is, so if it is open, I would expect they are normal working hours and would incure a normal fee, rather than out of hours, someone please correct me if I am wrong!!
-
Hm I didn't know Pets at Home had a vets service. Oh well, job done thankfully.
I'll update with some pictures later for sure, just going to let them all relax for the night as they have had a long day! :)
-
Well done for helping them all out you sound to be doing great :hug:
-
Excellent news - you deserve a medal for all you are doing for these babies!! :thanks:
-
I was wondering if someone could advise me on the kitten that is living downstairs, just to recap:
He's 6 weeks old, absolutely riddled with fleas. The vets don't open until tomorrow and he has been living with fleas for at least a couple of weeks. The owner cannot afford to take him to the emergency vet clinic as they charge £85 just to consult. She gave them "Bob Martins All in One Flea Spray" 1 squirt of it 2 days ago. This spray doesn't have pesticides in it, it uses some sticky system to trap the fleas. Here is a link to the product: http://www.bobmartin.co.uk/CatProductDetails.asp?ProductID=10171
As Bob Martins offices are closed for bank holiday I cannot get in touch with them to find out if it's ok to give this kitten a dose of frontline spray 2 days after the bob martins spray. The bob martins is obviously not working and this kitten doesn't deserve to have fleas any longer. But obviously I don't want to overdose the kitten :(
Any advice would be great help, thanks.
-
THis is my thought but think you need others opinions too.
AS this is just a repellant it doesnt sound like it penetrates into the cats skin so it could be washed off and then frontline could be administered.
-
you're right - dying from anaemia through flea infestation must be the most easily preventable of all the causes of kitten deaths >:(
-
I suspect they will not do anything about the owner cos they will say that all the kittens are safe now..........sigh Thats one of the reasons we dont think much of them. :'(
-
I don't know how it works. They took all the information from me at least and said they will forward it to one of their officers for investigation. Is there anywhere else I can report these people?
-
By the way just for peoples advice, since some people said the Frontline Spray had a guideline of 8 weeks+
On my bottle of Frontline Spray it says "suitable for kittens from 2 days old".
Just thought you might like to know :)
-
Posted the pictures in a seperate thread by the way here is the link!
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,27467.msg482628.html#msg482628
-
I know nothing about baby kittens but just wanted to say good on you for helping this little family out, you're a star :hug:
-
Have posted on the other thread and great job........well done ;D
-
I agree :hug:
You will probably need to treat the house with Indorex or Acclaim now :Crazy:
I have been checking as I expected an outbreak after bringing a dead RTA cat in to the house the other week that had them.