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AIBU?

Shameless AIBU abuse: have I poisoned the cat? :( :( :(

52 replies

NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:41

Apols to the AIBU police - shamelessly posting here for traffic!

We have a cat who is my baby and the light of my life and she's got fleas.

We did some flea bombs (with her out of the house) and a spot-on treatment (generic from Pets At Home, same sort of stuff as Frontline).

Neither seemed to work.

Thought about doing another spot on treatment (the first one was 3 days ago) and hate flea collars (or any collars on cats) but was reluctant to use the same stuff twice, so have bought some flea spray specifically designed for cats.

You are supposed to comb their fur backwards as it were and spray it on the skin but tbh most landed on the fur as she's a wriggly beggar.

We have also used flea powder today but she was locked out until it was all hoovered/swept up.

I just went out into the garden and she is drooling and licking her lips etc, looking a bit agitated. It's highly unlike her - her chin is covered in dribble. She's alert enough but a bit miffed.

Have I poisoned her Sad Sad? Surely anything formulated specifically for cats won't be toxic to her?? Is she just grossed out by the taste?

I'm really worried Sad Sad

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MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 14/07/2013 19:43

I bet she'll be fine.

I used some oral tablets for fleas once, I'm sure they were expected minor side effects of that treatment too.

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libertine73 · 14/07/2013 19:43

It sounds like a hell of a lot of flea treatment? Confused I wuld ring an OHH vet and get advice. Is she still the same?

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libertine73 · 14/07/2013 19:43

would!

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Whothefuckfarted · 14/07/2013 19:43

No it's fine, she's clearly managed to lick some at some point. Chill. Next time get frontline, it works. Cheap from here -
www.medicanimal.com/?gclid=CK2qpfLRr7gCFQTItAodQWMAzg

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MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 14/07/2013 19:43

I think if it landing on the fur (so it could be licked off) was super dangerous, it wouldn't be available for home use.

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 14/07/2013 19:44

I'm sorry, yes, you may have done. Can you call a vet for a phone consultation? Or is the cat insured for emergency treatment?

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Canidae · 14/07/2013 19:45

I would ring a vet. Spot on treatment is meant to last a month and the combination of that and the spray could be toxic.

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CajaDeLaMemoria · 14/07/2013 19:45

Did you read the instructions on all of them? It's usually one thing at a time, across a time period, or you overdose the cat. It sounds like you've used a lot of treatments in a short space of time, and some can affect others.

If she's agitated and dribbling, I'd see the Ooh vet. Her insurance should cover it. It sounds like potential poisoning or an allergic reaction.

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:45

libertine I know, it is a lot of treatment...the fuckers WOULD NOT DIE - and poor NotCat was in a real state, couldn't rest or relax because they were biting her. And she would NOT settle for a bath to rinse them off or sit still for longer than about 3 minutes to let me comb them out...

Who and Moaning that's really reassuring, thanks. See I just assumed that it must be OK for cats but it looked almost like she was foaming at the mouth Confused

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Whothefuckfarted · 14/07/2013 19:46

If she's frothing at the mouth and lots of drool coming out, take my word for it, will be fine, 3 cats myself and they've all done this before over the years. Ring for vet reassurance if you want.

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:46

Ah shit. Thanks Old Lady.

Shit shit shit. I hope her insurance is up to date.

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CharlieUniformNovemberTango · 14/07/2013 19:46

My cat was the same when he'd finally caught a wasp in the kitchen he'd been stalking so it could be she's munched on something she shouldn't have.

However, most of the flea stuff contain the same ingredients and I don't think it's advised to double up on doses.

I think you have to give it more then three days. I always thought it wasn't about killing them but making them sterile so they wouldn't breed hundreds of the buggers? I'm probably wrong

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:47

Oh gosh it's 50% reassuring and 50% terrifying! I might see if I can phone an OOH vet person anyway.

You might think I'm a bit over-invested in this cat and you'd be right Hmm

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cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 19:48

You gave her a spot on (chemicals) and then a spray (more chemicals) well within the recommended time limits. You don't mention the brands but she could well be suffering from chemical overload. I'd phone your vet/OOH vet service directly.

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Whothefuckfarted · 14/07/2013 19:48

I love my cats too Grin they were my babies now I have a real one

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:50

I'm going to phone someone but we've just moved towns so not registered with a vet here - I'll carry on Googling but if anyone knows of a national helpline that would be great.

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phantomnamechanger · 14/07/2013 19:52

if you have a cat you shouldn't wait till they HAVE fleas, to treat them, you should treat them with a preventative medicine - these often work by preventing any eggs the flea lays from being viable - so once the first flea dies/is combed out/ or leaves the cat for another host, there is no cycle.

I don't think your cat is too poorly though, watch their breathing and for signs of deterioration

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Cluffyflump · 14/07/2013 19:55

I did almost exactly the same with my cat.
She looked really I'll and was dribbling lots.
She's fine now Smile I got damp towels and wiped her fur to prevent her from licking more off and it seemed to do the trick.

Fwiw, the flea stuff you can buy is shit.
It is no longer effective as fleas have evolved to withstand it.
Go the the vet and ask for 'advocate'.
If you use that, then all the fleas on your cat will die and the fleas in your home will jump onto your cat and come to a sticky end too!
Your cat will become a walking, purring, flea killer.
Keep hoovering to suck up any eggs/larvae.

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CajaDeLaMemoria · 14/07/2013 19:56

Who was she with before? A chain? They might have a national OOH line. Otherwise try something like Vets Now I suppose.

I hope she's okay. Is she drinking a lot?

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cozietoesie · 14/07/2013 19:56

If you phone a local vet, NotAround, they should have an answerphone giving their OOH service - or their website (many vets have them) should have the details of emergency contacts.

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 19:59

Thanks for this everyone.

Phantom see I know that now, but didn't before! She was an indoor cat you see so we never treated her and never had a problem, but she roams miles (well: yards) here. I now know to mark it in the calender to do a spot-on once every however-long-they-said

I have found the OOH line for our nearest vet and will call shortly if I need to.

Just been outside and she is alert, not dribbling, chasing blackbirds and eating treats I gave her Confused

I wonder if she ate an insect as someone said upthread and I just happened to see the aftermath?

My poor baby Sad Seriously, I should try not to be such a mad cat lady but she's my best pal

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 20:00

Caja it's very difficult to get her to drink anything (literally, she will only drink out of a proper glass like the grown-ups Hmm). I just held a fresh one up to her and she looked at me with what I can only call contempt Grin

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NotAroundTheEyes · 14/07/2013 20:01

Oh and Cluffy thanks, that's a great tip - I'll be weaponising the cat!

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 14/07/2013 20:05

Oh, well she sounds much better, that's good. Maybe give her a wipe down as described on page two of the link I posted, and keep a close eye.

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Gumps · 14/07/2013 20:09

One of my cats managed to lick the flea treatment stuff off the other one and did that foaming at the mouth. I think it's something to do with alcohol but I may be totally making that up. Anyway not dangerous and was all fine.

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