Kitten died of fleas

[Outintheburbs]

A friend has a cat that recently gave birth to a few kittens (third litter, not a breeder, gives them away for free). The cat had fleas. The dd was being bitten by fleas. At least one kitten has now died due to fleas. :(

She says she has tried sprays etc but can't get rid of them. I know you can't use the usual treatments in kittens but even a simple google to find out how to help the poor things and you will find how to get rid of them.

Another one of her cats is now pregnant.

So, do I educate or report her? I can't stand to think of the whole litter dying due to fleas (the vet said the others were at risk from what it says in her fb feed) :( :(

[Smartiepants79]

Is she usually a decent, responsible owner?
Have you tried giving her some advice?
Sounds like she needs educating on the positives of nuetering as well.

[PaulinesPen]

that's awful. She could be treating the adult cats more effectively. My cats have Stronghold drops. Also the vet can vaccinate them I think but good flea treatments whatever used need to be regularly kept up and are a financial committment (but worth it). I don't think non prescription ones are very good tbh.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

If the kittens are less than 8 weeks of age the only thing that can be used is Frontline spray, but the spray is more effective than the spot on. The spray can only be got from the vets. She also needs to treat the mother there are several spot ons that are safe in feeding queens, but again she needs to talk to a vet. Finally she needs a really good household spray like Acclaim or Indorex.
Headline - she needs to talk to a vet ASAP or more kittens will die from anaemia.

[SecretNutellaFix]

She needs to get her cats neutered for a start, and then she can look to treating the entire house and the cats.

I use Advantage on my two as they are frontline resistant locally. When we had an outbreak it was hell and took a while to get rid of all the fleas. We came within a hairs breadth of calling in the council to totally fumigate the house. Both the house and the cats have got to be treated at the same time.

If she is unable to do this then you should report her, as failing to take action does amount to neglect.

[MissBattleaxe]

She really needs to stop her cat from having litters of kittens to give away. It's not fair and it's not healthy.

[cozietoesie]

I do hope TCN doesn't spot this thread - she'll have a near corononary.

[Fluffycloudland77]

If she's the sort to think its lovely for them to have kittens then it'll be hard to educate her that actually recurrent pg isn't good for them.

If she's been using OTC flea treatments then its no wonder she still has a flea problem.

[Outintheburbs]

The remaining little one has been treated with the spray. Two have sadly passed. :(

I don't know her well enough to know why the cats aren't neutered.

She has now been told how to treat the next litter due and I am just praying for the last little kitty who is miss ing her sibs. :(

[cozietoesie]

I seem to recall Shelly on Tinykittens cam last night saying that only 1 in 12 overall of kittens born find a home. OK - that's America but I doubt the figure is that different here, with all the little ones dying in back gardens and sheds from escaped and unneutered mothers. I do know that all the rescues I'm aware of have kittens and moms practically in cages in the loos at the moment - so by keeping her cats unneutered she's contributing to that huge problem.

Even though she may find homes for all of hers, she's using up places that could have gone to one of those little ones. Tell her that, OP. See what she says.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Maybe you need to casually mention some of the neutering schemes going on at the moment. In our area we have joined forces with CPL and are neutering cats for a fiver.

[cozietoesie]

A fiver? Strewth - that's quite some deal. Is that for all comers, Lone?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd go for reporting over educating.

Mainly because I think she's breeding for fun with no thoughts on the welfare of the animals.

What if dog fighters get hold of the kittens? Or they know she is a ready source of free bait?.

I mean there's only so many friends you can palm a kitten onto isn't there?

[steppemum]

our cat doesn't respond to any over the counter flea remedies. His coat is fluffy and it is apparently quite common. The vet sells one that works for him (drops on back of the neck) once he was clear and neighbours cat fleabag moved we only had to re-use it every 3-4 months.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Pretty much everyone qualifies yes.

[OscarWinningActress]

Jesus. That's horrible . Report her immediately. She's obviously doing something very wrong. My guess is she thinks she can't afford to spay the cats?

[cozietoesie]

Some people think it's 'natural' and you shouldn't 'interfere with a cat reproducing'. They can't be reasoned with on the topic if she's one.

[thecatneuterer]

My God I don't know where to start with this thread! When I've been treated for my coronary I'll come back and see if I can make some helpful and not too hysterical comments and suggestions.

[msrisotto]

WTF is wrong with her? Report her to the RSPCA or something. How bloody awful, I don't think I would be able to stop myself from giving her hell and rescuing the lot.