topic Re: Help with Fleas! in Community Chat

Help with Fleas!

BradyW — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:36:15 GMT

I have three cats, male 10 years old, female 2 years old, female 1 year old. They all have a terrible flea problem and have been scratching like crazy. I've tried sprays, tubes, etc., but they don't work real well and the 2 year old said "no way!". Can't get anywhere near her with any of it.

Today I bought Capstar pills, cut up two of them, and mixed them with the wet food that they all love. They wouldn't eat it. Tried getting the little one to eat some tuna with half a pill in it - no way, won't touch it.

What should I do? I hate that they're all being tormented by these stupid bugs, and I know it can affect their health.

There is absolutely no way I can get a pill down any throat.

Help, please!

Re: Help with Fleas!

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:46:50 GMT

If your cats have fleas, your house has fleas. You've got a job ahead of you, but unattended it's only going to get worse. The cats probably need a flea bath first. Even though you've already invested in the Caspar, you might consider a topical. There's an "Advantage Multi" for cats. It might be a better option for you.

Next, you have to deal with the house infestation. Vacuum all over, wherever the cats go and empty the canister outside. Sprinkle Borax on the carpet (never on the pet) and let it sit there for several hours or overnight. This will require you to keep the cats away for that period of time. Vacuum up the Borax and hopefully the problem will be resolved.

Good luck.

Re: Help with Fleas!

Kachina624 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:27:10 GMT

When I lived in flea country,the best thing I found was a powder called "Flea Busters". Back then, you couldn't buy the powder, you hired the company to come to your house and apply it. Now Amazon.com has it available that you can apply yourself for a lot less $$$. It's not poisonous, not an insecticide but is a desiccant. It dries up the fleas and their eggs and shortly they disappear.

I don't have fleas here in the Albuquerque area for the same reason, it's so dry they cannot subsist. Try Flea Busters; it's cheaper than moving.

Re: Help with Fleas!

Another new name Sue — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:58:31 GMT

Why are you cutting the Capstar? Is each kitty getting a full dose?

You need to learn to "pill" your cats. Probably a youtube video for that. If it's impossible, maybe ask at the vet for help. Or get help from someone to wrap up the cat while you push the pill down the side of the throat. If this doesn't work, you might have to try a topical product.

Fleas not only threaten your cats' comfort and health, but yours as well. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Empty the bag or sit it outside or the fleas will hop out. Or vacuum some appropriate powder to kill the fleas, but be careful of anything too toxic to you and kitties.

Re: Help with Fleas!

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 03:23:28 GMT

On 8/6/2014 happygal said:
Why are you cutting the Capstar? Is each kitty getting a full dose?

You need to learn to "pill" your cats. Probably a youtube video for that. If it's impossible, maybe ask at the vet for help. Or get help from someone to wrap up the cat while you push the pill down the side of the throat. If this doesn't work, you might have to try a topical product.

Fleas not only threaten your cats' comfort and health, but yours as well. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Empty the bag or sit it outside or the fleas will hop out. Or vacuum some appropriate powder to kill the fleas, but be careful of anything too toxic to you and kitties.

I actually detailed this in my original post, but had second thoughts and deleted it. I thought I might get flamed for it but really, if a cat won't take medicine willingly, you do what you have to.

I also think the OP might have cut the pills to hide them easier, not to give an incomplete dose.

Re: Help with Fleas!

lolakimono — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:34:40 GMT

You can also try Brewer's Yeast as a natural preventative. In my experience, any cat I have ever had has just eaten it. They seem to like the scent. I have dropped it in a dish with other dry food and it disappears. If you try it, you'll want to set it in front of the cat like a treat to make sure you know which cat has eaten it for the day so that you don't over medicate.

Re: Help with Fleas!

3blackdogs — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:11:15 GMT

Comfortis....monthly pill! Works wonders! Good luck

Re: Help with Fleas!

NChgOfMyAttitude — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:23:04 GMT

Find out from vet how to get the capstar down their throats, theres a trick. Make sure you are using the full dose. That will get rid of all the fleas on them within 24 hours. Then apply the flea and tick medicine immediately. Call the exterminator immediately and VACUUM until your arms are falling off. Walk all over the house with white sox on to see where the fleas are the most. They will be all over the sox.

I had a flea problem a year or 2 ago. It was a NIGHTMARE. Cost a fortune between vet and exterminator bills. Fleas reproduce in an unbelievable amount. So if there are a few fleas around they can produce 100 new fleas in a day, then they can all do the same the next day.

Happy gal is right, we vacuumed the basement and the entire house twice a day until we saw some results. Don't take this lightly, you can have an infestation in no time. It took months before we were sure we had no more.

Re: Help with Fleas!

spot555 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:20:37 GMT

On 8/6/2014 kachina624 said:
When I lived in flea country,the best thing I found was a powder called "Flea Busters". Back then, you couldn't buy the powder, you hired the company to come to your house and apply it. Now Amazon.com has it available that you can apply yourself for a lot less $$$. It's not poisonous, not an insecticide but is a desiccant. It dries up the fleas and their eggs and shortly they disappear.

I don't have fleas here in the Albuquerque area for the same reason, it's so dry they cannot subsist. Try Flea Busters; it's cheaper than moving.

This works REALLY WELL!!

I had to use it a few years ago, & the problem went away. It's a great non-toxic way to treat your home. Do this + get a NATURAL flea remedy for your cats (check "Only Natural Pets" online for some ideas.

Those topical meds are extremely toxic.

Re: Help with Fleas!

RedTop — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:35:50 GMT

Many years ago we got a flea infestation from a cat my daughter brought indoors. The vet told me to sprinkle simple table salt liberally on my carpet, let it sit for 2 days, vacuum, and burn the bag outside, then sprinkle more salt and repeat the process until you see no more fleas. I used 10 lbs of salt, but eradicated the fleas within 10 days. Salt, or the borax as previously suggested, pulls moisture out of the carpet, and the flea eggs cannot hatch without moisture.

Re: Help with Fleas!

Hooty — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 19:34:24 GMT

Oh no, I don't think you are suppose to do Capstar pills like that, at least not for dogs! I have used them on 2 dogs before and they are magic pills and work! My dogs had a whole tablet, and it takes time to get them to take them, but well worth it!

BTW, the fleas are in the environment, you may have to have your yard treated as well as your house!

Re: Help with Fleas!

glmama — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:17:13 GMT

I'm sorry you're dealing with Fleas. They are a giant pain, for your pet (and it must feel just terrible!) and your home.

We had an issue last year with fleas. My house was not infested, but YES, we did occasionally see a flea. I had to be vigilant about Flea meds for our dog and cat. AND treat our house with the best, least toxic stuff I could find. That ended up being this carpet and room powder stuff that I poured around the edges of the rooms and then vacuumed up. Of course pets and kids need to not be near this stuff as it's sitting, so please be aware of this. My vet said at the time that it was the worst flea problem he had seen in all his years of practice (not my home, in general!). Had to do with the weather, dampness outside, etc. His own pets got them, too.

I would suggest vacuuming every single day, multiple times/day. You have to keep on top of it. And consider having an exterminator come to your house.

Re: Help with Fleas!

mewsmomtoo — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 01:21:37 GMT

On 8/7/2014 goldenretriever said:
On 8/6/2014 kachina624 said:
When I lived in flea country,the best thing I found was a powder called "Flea Busters". Back then, you couldn't buy the powder, you hired the company to come to your house and apply it. Now Amazon.com has it available that you can apply yourself for a lot less $$$. It's not poisonous, not an insecticide but is a desiccant. It dries up the fleas and their eggs and shortly they disappear.

I don't have fleas here in the Albuquerque area for the same reason, it's so dry they cannot subsist. Try Flea Busters; it's cheaper than moving.

This works REALLY WELL!!

I had to use it a few years ago, & the problem went away. It's a great non-toxic way to treat your home. Do this + get a NATURAL flea remedy for your cats (check "Only Natural Pets" online for some ideas.

Those topical meds are extremely toxic.

Yes! I used Flea Busters when it was a company and it was great! All fleas gone. I have no recommendation regarding the cats because it is usually better just to do your own research - you know your cats and your situation. I will only say the following since it might be helpful, I don't know:

I too had a cat that couldn't be touched and I had her for 5+ years (she was bonded to my big male tabby, she was like his little shadow, she adored him). She recently absolutely had to go to the vet so I got her alone in a room and after some chasing, leaping and running got her in a spot where I was able to drop a folded up twin size comforter on her, scoop her up and put her in a carrier.

I felt just terrible for causing her this distress, but she had to go to the vet. By using the comforter, she was wrapped up so that she couldn't hurt anybody and couldn't hurt herself in the carrier. Maybe this would work with your 2 year old.

I'm truly sorry you are having this problem because it is terrible one, esp. when you have a cat who is difficult to treat. I cannot more highly recommend Flea Busters, it really works. Best of luck to you and your kitties.

Re: Help with Fleas!

emmysmom — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:38:01 GMT

Try washing them in the Blue Dawn! There are many posts on this forum about it!

Re: Help with Fleas!

emmysmom — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:41:20 GMT

On 8/7/2014 goldenretriever said:
On 8/6/2014 kachina624 said:
When I lived in flea country,the best thing I found was a powder called "Flea Busters". Back then, you couldn't buy the powder, you hired the company to come to your house and apply it. Now Amazon.com has it available that you can apply yourself for a lot less $$$. It's not poisonous, not an insecticide but is a desiccant. It dries up the fleas and their eggs and shortly they disappear.

I don't have fleas here in the Albuquerque area for the same reason, it's so dry they cannot subsist. Try Flea Busters; it's cheaper than moving.

This works REALLY WELL!!

I had to use it a few years ago, & the problem went away. It's a great non-toxic way to treat your home. Do this + get a NATURAL flea remedy for your cats (check "Only Natural Pets" online for some ideas.

Those topical meds are extremely toxic.

after I gave Emmy Frontline, she couldn't walk. I'm terrified of those treatments now. I've been using Dr. Bronner's with the essential oils. Love that stuff. I use the Rose on Emmy!

Re: Help with Fleas!

Cookie06 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 18:22:11 GMT

After being so infested with fleas last Summer. We had used Frontline and Advantage but to no avail, the fleas were still living on my cats and everywhere else. The vet recomended Revolution. OMG it works like a charm. No more fleas. It is a topical treatment. Once a month and like magic the fleas have all disappeared!!!!! Good luck this is not a fun problem.

Re: Help with Fleas!

Lucylu12 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:48:52 GMT

I agree Flea Busters is the way to go. In Florida we had a dog and 3 indoor cats, but needless to say the dog brought fleas in. It was an endless battle of bathing all 4 and every thing else under the sun until Flea Busters. Back then they came into the home. Not only does it work but any new fleas that come in die also. I Believe it lasts a year or longer. I can't remember. But it does work and we flea free. It is safe also.

Re: Help with Fleas!

spot555 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:57:54 GMT

I just wanted to add about the toxic chemical flea meds....

I had a female Golden Retriever that had a flea problem. It was a few years ago, & I couldn't find a natural product that was effective (I tried my best!) I asked her vet what to do, & at that point he said Advantage wasn't as bad as others.

I HATED appling this on her skin....I felt horrible. And even though I didn't say anything to my dog....just made it quick & easy....she hated it, too (& she normally a really good girl). She HATED it.

After using this, she started having breathing problem episodes. I didn't associate it to the Advantage at the time....I didn't know what was casuing it. I took her to the vet, & he did a blood panel- it came back normal.

She had a couple more episodes in the next few months....like her heart was pounding out her chest. One day she had an episode & died on the family room carpet- it came out of nowhere. The vet found nothing (& the vet she went to was excellent & thorough....& expensive!)

When I look back, I wonder if it was the topical flea med. I have no proof, but the timing was right. This was a very healthy dog with ZERO issues. I wonder if that garbage got in her bloodstream & caused her death. Geez, I hate looking back at stuff like this. I still remember how she looked & acted when I applied it on her skin.

I haven't used anything with chemicals since then, & I never will again. There are natural products that work & aren't toxic. I love my animals too much...I don't ever want to risk harming them.

Re: Help with Fleas!

Jingles5 — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:31:21 GMT

Hi Brady. I don't have time to go into detail, but here's my 2 cents.

After years of trying all the usual stuff: Frontline, Advantage, Comfortis, and Capstar, I've finally found something easy for my cats - which works. They wear Seresto collars which cost about $50 or so, and last for 8 months.

I live in a similar climate to yours. Winters are snowy and cold, so I buy a collar for each cat in early April, and they wear them until the beginning of December, and then I toss them. No need for a collar in the winter. NO fleas.

So, $50/cat/year is great! And NO pilling, thank God! Good luck!

Seresto ForCats (10 week...

$49.49

1-800-PetMeds

Re: Help with Fleas!

gardenman — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:58:23 GMT

In my experience the optimal way to handle fleas is with the use of an IGR (insect growth regulator.) You can buy just IGR's with no pesticide included that seem pretty safe for pets and the humans around them. They won't kill adult or immature fleas but by making the eggs nonviable and preventing all future growth, they bring most flea problems to a halt pretty quickly and safely. Fleas can't live forever and if they can't grow or reproduce, the population will crash pretty quickly. By using just the IGR you eliminate the risks that come from the pesticides commonly combined with the IGR's in many/most commercial flea killing products. I've never had any animal react negatively to the application of the IGR alone. They seem like a very safe option and will ultimately control the problem, but they won't kill the existing fleas, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to take for the added safety.