I know, I know it's a dog forum, but I am at my wits end! :rolleyes:

A couple of weeks ago we found a flea on our kitten, so off we went down to the vets to get some frontline, and some wormers, found a couple of dead fleas the next day hoovered and cleaned EVERYWHERE (!!!) and then more or less forgot about it, but the thing is, at the same time we found the flea on our kitten, our son started getting itchy spot's on his legs, we took him to the doc's as they were all bleeding, and the doc gave him some Eurax cream to stop the itching. They seemed to get a bit better (probably because he had stopped itching) but now he has got loads of new ones on his legs and arms.

Now I have read two different things about cat fleas, one is that the eggs get into the carpets and will only hatch if the eggs are transfered back to the host (our kitten), and the other is that they don't need a host to hatch and then go on to reproduce in furnishings. Which of these are true?

When we were at the vets, I did ask if we needed to do anything in the house, and she said because we had only seen one or two fleas, that she didn't think the house would be a problem, and that the cat could have easily picked them up in the grass out side.

My hubbie and I haven't seen any thing jumping about, and we can't find another flea on the cat, the only thing that is making me think they may still be in the house is the fact that my son is covered in bites (which could be spots!)

Goldmali, or anyone else (sorry can only remember Goldmali having cat's!) what should I do? If I need to do something in the house, which is the best thing to use to make sure they won't come back?

Thanks :D

Sorry, Natalie, but they will be in the carpet!!!  For every 1 flea on a cat, there are at least 10 in the carpet, copulating away, and leaving lots of little larvae around.

Get thee down to the Vets'  get a LARGE can of Acclaim (I think it is) AND a cat flea collar.   Put the cat flea collar in the bin of the Dyson (I'm sure you are one of those with a Dyson Animal, aren't you)  then vacuum everywhere - carpets, curtains, chairs and sofas - even the bed if the cat has been allowed to snooze there - and AFTER you have done that, then use the Acclaim.   This will kill any live fleas, and this is the hairy bit.    You now have to LEAVE IT, and not vacuum for another 7 days.    This leaves the Acclaim (or whatever) to work, softening the cases of the larvae which have developed from the eggs and then you vacuum again, picking up the dead larvae cases, which haven't been able to mature into fleas.    If you hoover immediately after using the Acclaim, the eggs stick to the carpet, and mature.   Then use the Acclaim again.

I found this was the only way to keep on top of the wee beasties - and then we went the whole hog and removed ALL the carpets completely - even on the stairs.   Now have dark wood stairs (which are an absolutely b*88*r because I have to keep dusting them, cant polish them (natch) but have to keep re-sealing them to keep the look right ) .

Hope this helps.

Margot (feeling kinda itchy just thinking about fleas :D

Hi Natalie :)
The fleas CAN hatch in carpets etc, and unfortunately they can live there for months as well. It's been years since I last had to treat carpets for fleas (usually it has to be a very bad infestation for that to be needed) so I think the vet may be the best person to supply you/recommend  something for that if it is needed. However! I have noticed in the past few years that fleas seem to have become immune to Frontline! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't get rid of them if there are a lot. So IF you still are finding fleas, you may need a different product. (All the vets I have spoken to deny there is a problem with frontline, but I have met several people who say they have noticed the same.) 

Do you see any bites or scabs or anything on the cat? I'm just wondering because it is more common for people to notice bites on themselves if a cat has MITES rather than fleas.

Marianne

Urgh YUK YUK YUK!!!! Thanks very much for all of that!! LOL :D

Believe me Margot, I am scratching as well!!!

The frontline has seemed to work - on the cat! As I said I haven't seen any fleas in the house, I have been on all fours with nose in the carpet and bum stuck up in the air (you get the picture!!!) with my glasses on, and a magnifiing glass, and not seen any even under the sofas, but Thomas is still getting new bites which makes me think they are lurking somewhere (and probably laughing at me for not spotting them!!!)

I think I will get hubbie to pop in the vet's on the way home and pick up some Acclaim, and a flea collar, and then when he gets home he can check the cat for any bites. Goldmali, if she does have bites on her, does that mean it is fleas, or mites? Do mites bite them? and do mites need a different treatment?

I have heard all sorts of horror stories about how difficult they are to get rid of out of the house, my sister had her house fumigated twice because of the fleas the previous owner left behind I hope it doesn't come to that!

Off to have a good scratch now :D

Unless there is a flea allergy, your are usally a lot more likely to see bites, scabs etc from mites (the very common type that cats tend to get is called Cheyletiella -in fact I have seen this on my cats more times than fleas, but then again I DO go to shows). The only simple and effective treatment for that is Ivermectin which isn't licenced for cats BUT a vet can administer it if they want to. I know a few years ago when I got Cheyletialla in, my daughter started itching a lot as well.

Marianne

Well hubbie has just come home with the Acclaim stuff, but he forgot the flea collar, so I am going to have to put up with them till tomorrow night :(

We will have to give this treatment a go, and then if not ask the vet for some Ivermectin, which will be very strange, because it is poisonous to our pup we are getting, so I have always shuddered at the thought of having to use it! But if that is what it takes...! :D

I will just be happy when they are marching out the door! Horrid little things! :(

Thanks for all of your help! :D

Cheyletialla can be treated with frontline spray but you do need to use it abit more frequently than you would for fleas. Fizz picked these up as a puppy and as shes a collie we wouldnt use Ivermectin but she was sprayed with frontline and then sprayed again a fortnight later and this got rid of them.
Edited to add must be the spray though not the drops

Thanks Satincollie :D

I've used Ivermectin on cats for the past 15 years or so, it's quite safe for them. :)

Marianne

Oh I am sure it is, I wasn't saying you were giving my iffy advice - sorry. I just meant it seems funny that something that can kill our pup, will save our cat!!

Wierd and wondeful world of science!!

Nat :D