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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to give the cats back

102 replies

Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:21

So recently I decided to Foster cats. I love them and after recently losing my own beloved boy I thought it would be a nice thing to do. I was matched with a pair of siblings and was looking forward to starting the process.

First day was rough.. Second day was fine. The cats came up to me and I was finally able to pet them BUT amongst petting them I looked down to find a hand full of flea dirt. So I inspected the cats further to find fleas and flea dirt all over them. Since being with them I've been bitten 3 times. I messaged the main lady of the cat sanctuary and she simply told me they have been treated and to brush them.

I'm freaking out as I had a flea Infestation before and we never got it sorted and had to move. I was suffering with crazy amounts of bites and still have some of the scarring today. I have a baby and I don't want my baby bitten to a pulp. We also have complete carpeting and another cat that is ours. If it spreads it will become a night mare.

I'm so sad this has happened. The cats have settled after such a rough life and finally look happy and at peace. It's my first Foster and it's gone so wrong but I can literally see the fleas crawling on them. What do I do? If i ask the lady to take the cats back I doubt ill have a good reputation or be able to Foster again and that will cut my journey short. I want to do this and I don't want to upset the cats that have come here but I need to think of my family first

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 03/09/2022 23:31

Do you have flea treatment for
your other cat you could put on them? Otherwise I’d get treatment for them and your home from
the vets tomorrow. Whether you give the cats back or not you’ll need to de-flea your house now. Was it a reputable rehoming charity? I’m surprised anyone would let them go if they had visible fleas on them

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:32

@BungleandGeorge its only till you pet them as they are white that you can see. I started looking through their fur and could see the fleas running. They were given flea treatment apparently when they first arrived but it clearly hasn't taken

OP posts:
Halstead · 03/09/2022 23:33

Vets for prescription strength flea treatment (after finding out what and when they were treated with last)

Indorex to treat your house. You’ll need 2-3 cans for the average house. Spray if everywhere, where skirting meets carpet, behind furniture

It'll be fine.

Halstead · 03/09/2022 23:34

it everywhere

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:35

This is from one stroke of the brush!

Aibu to give the cats back
OP posts:
Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:35

@Halstead they have already been treated the lady said I can't treat them anymore. I can't use flea spray with them here

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:40

It's looking like I'm going to have to give them back. I have a baby to think about. It's devastating but if the flea treatment hasn't worked I can't afford to wait a month and try again

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 03/09/2022 23:42

Wow they look quite bad

But I'm sorry I can't understand why you agreed to foster. Surely you must have known there would be this risk. I would personally take advice from the vet if they've already been treated.

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:43

@purpleme12 no I didn't realise they offered out cats in such a state. They were aware I have a baby and another cat here I can't afford for that to spread. Maybe if I was on my own it would be okay but I'm not

OP posts:
OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 03/09/2022 23:44

Find out what they were treated with and then speak to a vet. A vet knows better what can be used after a recent treatment than cat rescue lady.

I would question the rescue you are fostering for if they are sending them out to foster still with a lot of infestation. Maybe look at a different rescue if you decide to foster again.

Are they young cats? Heavy flea infestation can be really dangerous when they are small. Kittens can become anaemic very quickly.

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:44

I guess it's an over thought on my behalf as since they weren't strays I assumed they would be okay. They haven't come from an abusive background either. Honestly such a shame I feel like crying. I really wanted this to work

OP posts:
OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 03/09/2022 23:46

Sorry also a preventative flea treatment for resident cat and twice daily vacuuming as well as the indirect mentioned upthread. I would do this even if you do give the fosters back to the rescue x

purpleme12 · 03/09/2022 23:48

Ring the vet that the rescue uses and speak to them about what to do in this situation

blockpavingismynightmare · 03/09/2022 23:48

I have always had cats and this year has been a nightmare with fleas. I have constantly been on top of it but they keep reappearing. I have even bought one of those electric zappers that kills the fleas on contact. I comb both cats and the the dogs every day. They are treated regularly and the house is sprayed to death
Not only that - it's expensive.
I am hoping the colder weather will put an end to it all

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:50

@OnTheRunWithMannyMontana no they are old. I didn't think fosters gave out cats in this state.

OP posts:
Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:52

@purpleme12 I have spoken to the lady three times. She seems very blasé about it all. Telling me just to brush them and see how it is.

OP posts:
KensingtonStation · 03/09/2022 23:52

Stop. Slow down. They don't have to go back. Find out what they were treated with and when. Then talk with a vet and find something that can be used in conjunction. The odds are that something ineffective has been used and a prescription option will solve the problem.

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:53

The cat we have is allergic to flea bites. If this goes out of control it could mean my cat back at the vets seriously ill

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 03/09/2022 23:54

Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:52

@purpleme12 I have spoken to the lady three times. She seems very blasé about it all. Telling me just to brush them and see how it is.

Then speak to your vet.
Or do it want to give them back without trying?
Surely it's worth trying

Original poster
Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:54

@KensingtonStation im freaking out as this isn't my house and if things go bad and my family cat gets ill I will be in big trouble

OP posts:
OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 03/09/2022 23:55

Missingboi · 03/09/2022 23:50

@OnTheRunWithMannyMontana no they are old. I didn't think fosters gave out cats in this state.

They really really shouldn't be. Although it could just be a case that the fleas are particularly resistant to the brand they are using. If it's a vet recommended brand (as I'm not sodding Bob martins) then probably cut them some slack.

I have a cat with a flea allergy and she had them really bad last year, it took 3 brands 2-3 weeks apart to finally find something the little buggers weren't resistant to. Poor thing tears her fur out just from one bite so we really have to stay on top of it.

Tierne · 03/09/2022 23:55

You are being absolutely ridiculous. Rehoming cats because you have a baby and a cat with a flea allergy? Why did you even start this process then? You know cats come with risks of fleas.

This is a simple to solve problem if you woman up and get it sorted.

You cant give these cats back now for such a basic issue

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 03/09/2022 23:57

Do you have a nit comb at home? You can sit and comb them with that, my DCat use dto love it and would sit on my lap for ages, every flea you get out is one less to worry about, and if they arent going out and if it turns out you cant treat them again this is an easy solution.

MumCanIDoThat · 03/09/2022 23:58

I think you were crazy to do this especially with a baby and a place thats not your own.

blockpavingismynightmare · 03/09/2022 23:58

Is this even real?

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