8 wk old kittens riddled with fleas

[MrsJamin]

We got kittens 2 days ago, and have only just realised they are riddled with fleas. They can't have front line treatment until 10 weeks, so all I've got is some Johnsons 4 fleas tablets, and we've bathed them and combed them once, but I can still see the scoundrels crawling about :( is there anything we can do for a fortnight? I know we'll need to be every careful about cleaning the environment too.

[Notfabulousatfourty]

Personally I would either use the frontline or take them to the vets. I don't kero cats but I believe a proper infestation can actually be quite serious in young animals.

[twinkletoedelephant]

Our kitten was riddled with fleas we tried everything front line did nothing... Take them to the vet keep he gave our kitten asvocate he said frontline easnt working in our area anymore. Make sure you keep the cats contained so the fleas don't spread round the house.

Our cat is flea free for the first time... She looks pretty smug now

[Fluffycloudland77]

If you havent given the tablets, throw them out. They need a vet tomorrow, pets at home often have 7 day vets.

Fleas can really harm kittens. They havent got enough blood in them to share.

[timtam23]

Definitely take them to the vet, don't wait 2 weeks, at that age/weight you cannot use the spot-on stuff or any tablets, they will need a spray from the vet (I took in a stray 7 wk old crawling with fleas and the vet sprayed him, I continued to use the flea comb until all live/dead fleas had gone. They can become anaemic from fleas very quickly at that age, which can be very dangerous for them. Hope you can get it sorted

[MrsJamin]

Am so glad I posted on here,didn't think about the risk to their health of having the fleas. I will try and get them sprayed asap. Tempted to ask for some money back from the sellers, they didn't even mention fleas! Sounds like this is going to be an expensive first week. Just hope we can nab them before they infect our house.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Once the fleas are gone, insure now before anything else crops up and you can't claim for it!

[LyndaNotLinda]

Yes, please take them to the vet first thing tomorrow. Those tablets are dreadful - please don't give them to the kittens.

And you absolutely should tell the sellers - that's absolutely disgraceful! I wish people wouldn't buy kittens from private vendors who don't care for their kittens properly. There is absolutely no excuse for kittens to have fleas :(

[Frenchfemme]

Whilst at the vet, get them checked for ear-mites as well - easy to deal with but horrid for the kittens.

[TeaStory]

Vet, asap. Kittens that age can die from anaemia due to flea bites.

Good luck.

[MrsJamin]

I'll take them to the vets on Monday. these are the tablets I have, is it not worth giving the kittens them today to help the situation?

[ophiotaurus]

I wouldn't give them in case it interacts with anything the vet wants to do tomorrow.

[MrsJamin]

OK. I will hold tight and scratch my head in the meantime. Thanks all.

[timtam23]

Those tablets are unlikely to be suitable as although it says can use from 4 weeks, it also says weight has to be over 1kg, 8 wk old kittens are very likely to still be under 1kg. Also the nonprescription stuff often is useless and sometimes the ingredients can actually be harmful so I wouldn't risk it. Keep using the flea comb for today.

[MrsJamin]

The vet sprayed them with frontline spray and I found some dead ones on them tonight. They had worms too! Ugh. Thanks everyone.

[ophiotaurus]

Oh no. Hope they are on the men's ASAP. Poor things. At least they have you to look after them now.