Deflea alternatives for cat that can't have normal trestment

[Thekitten]

Hello, not been here a while, but returned cause have a potential flea issue.

My beautiful girl cat was possibly poisoned a few weeks back, and blood tests have suggested she was poisoned by pesticides. She's thankfully recovering really well, and I've kept her indoors for weeks, despite her being desperate to get out and escaping twice for a few seconds each last week 😅

Her brother has been in and out and was last deflead about three weeks ago. However this morning a bastarding flea was crawling up my arm

Boy cat is a mouser so it's quite probably that he brought this one in from said mouse, it took a bite and started to die anyway. (It did jump but just onto my arm again, so I don't think it was gonna live much longer before I drowned it in the sink...)

However I haven't deflead girl cat, and she's two weeks overdue, but the vet has advised me not to deflea her for a couple more weeks yet. Seeing as she was potentially poisoned by pesticides, adding more pesticide isn't a great idea... All I can do for now is comb poor kitty to see if any fleas or flea dirt turn up. But if they do, then what? I can't deflea her, I lose skin when I comb her anyway XD

Vet said let's cross that bridge if we come to it. I ask, is there a way to prevent it? I read that putting a bowl of soapy water down might help, but does it really?

Thanks in advance!

[sleepismysuperpower1]

i haven't tried it but quite a few people recommend boiling 2 lemons (sliced in half) in water, and leaving them to steep for a few hours, before transferring the liquid into a spray bottle and work the solution into the fur, avoiding the eyes and mouth. i haven't tried it personally but friend's of mine have and have been successful

[Veterinari]

Have her bloods shown any sign of organ problems? If she’s fit and well then she should be fine for prescription flea products which are only toxic to invertebrates - frontline or advocate - it’s the cheaper OTC meds that cause permethrin that are a problem.

[NaToth]

How about a flea trap? Saucer of mixed cooking oil and water with a candle in the middle. Light the candle, put the lights out and see what happens?

[NaToth]

Posted too soon. Otherwise, just comb her well and regularly.

[Thekitten]

Thank you for your suggestions! I'll give the oil, water and candle a go. I've been combing her this evening and no sign of fleas, so that's good. The lemon one sounds interesting but just a bit wary of using citrus on cats

Veterineri, she has symptoms of muscle damage from the poisoning, and had neurological symptoms which she's just recovering from, however her organs are thankfully all functioning well. However because of the nerve and muscle problems the vet is reluctant for her to have de flea at the moment.