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Original poster

To the women with cats....

26 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 20:42

This evening I used flea treatment on my cats (Bob Martin brand) and it is the type where you squeeze the liquid into the back of their necks. I got a small amount on my hands which I just rinsed off with water.

I have just been told though that I shouldn't have done it whilst pregnant and there can be risks?? I read though all the instructions first and there was nothing that said pregnant women cannot apply the treatment. I have re-read the leaflet and there is nothing. Surely something so important would be mentioned if the risks were real?

Any other women out there using flea treatment with no problems?

trying not to panic, but not easy

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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girliefriend · 13/12/2013 20:45

Its fine - who told you its not?

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 20:46

My friend, who 'knows someone who told her' - you know how it is....
I'm hoping it's one of those Chinese whispers type things.....

OP posts:
Doctorbrownbear · 13/12/2013 20:48

You will be fine as long as U didn't eat it.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 20:55

Damn, lol - there goes my idea for a creative dessert Grin

OP posts:
tsw · 13/12/2013 20:57

I have 3 cats. Please don't use Bob Martins. That brand has killed many cats.......

Minithemoocher · 13/12/2013 21:01

What tsw said. Oh, and you'll be fine!
Get flea treatment from the vets. Online stuff is sometimes fake.

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 21:04

It has killed cats?? Oh God, please don't say that!

I have used it tonight on two of my cats for the first time.

Do I need to watch out for anything?
I'm seriously worried now...

OP posts:
tsw · 13/12/2013 21:10

They will more than likely be fine but don't use it again. It also doesn't protect against fleas just acts as a poison to the cat & with a fatal reaction in some cats. Just keep an eye on them for any signs of illness over the next 48 hours.

Sorry, didn't mean to make you panic but it is best you know...

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 21:14

I am now googling like mad Sad

It has been about 3 hours since I applied it and they both seem ok so far.

I haven't used it on my 3rd cat yet as she wasn't at home when I did the others, so I won't now.

I always, always use Frontline but I got the BM Brand today because it was an emergency type situation and couldn't afford the frontline. I feel angry and upset with myself now.

OP posts:
girliefriend · 13/12/2013 21:16

Advocate is best.

Sammi1986 · 13/12/2013 21:20

Iv never heard of BM being fatal, but it's not a good flea killer, they easily become resistant.
I use VetUK website to order frontline. It's scarily cheaper online, but use a reputable website to avoid fakes.

And as for being PG, i personally think you can be too cautious... ;)

MrsVDB · 13/12/2013 21:44

I use that on my cat and got some on my hand too the other day and all is fine :) if it was as bad as everyone's making out it wouldn't be so widely available in supermarkets etc

Noodles123 · 13/12/2013 21:50

Advocate is the most effective these days supposedly, as resistance to frontline has built up. Just don't do what I did and treat both cats for them to promptly lick each other's necks! They were fine though thankfully.

everythinghippie29 · 13/12/2013 22:19

I've flea treated my cats with BM and then frontline coz BM is crap and doesn't work and also my cat freaks out when I have used it so think it might sting going on! Sad

I'm currently 9 months pregnant and an sure as long as you washed your hands you will be ok. Smile

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 13/12/2013 22:40

Thanks everyone - I feel much more reassured now.

The cats till seem ok and have both eaten their dinner and had various kitty snacks so their appetite seems to be as normal. One of them seems a bit more 'quiet' than normal but he had an antibiotic injection at the Vets earlier so I'm assuming it's because of that. He is still purring away nicely though when fussed Grin

He'd best be ok, he's my bumps biggest fan - he is always sleeping on it Grin

OP posts:
Tomkat79 · 13/12/2013 22:50

My sphynx boy has a love affair going on with my bump too! I wake up and he's hanging over it usually!
Don't stress the BM for you or your cats...it'll be fine :-)

Minithemoocher · 13/12/2013 23:14

Sorry didn't mean to scare you!

eggsnbeans · 14/12/2013 06:40

sorry, kinda OT but noodles, resistance to frontline have only ever been found in 1 flea by the company that makes the product and was trying to induce resistance. It is still the most effective flea treatment you can get. I won't bore anyone with details Wink but it's true! The biggest problem with bob martin brand is the dog and cat ones look really similar, and people put the dog one on cats by accident which is very toxic!

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 14/12/2013 07:39

Thankfully both cats still seem fine this morning - happily eating their breakfast. The one who seemed a little lethargic has certainly perked up!

Baby is also wriggling like crazy so I guess no harm has come to him either Grin

OP posts:
Applepiesky · 14/12/2013 08:46

I've stopped using frontline altogether as heard fleas are immune to it completely now. I know some of you said this isn't true but I was starting to find that frontline really wasn't working! I now use Advantage spot on treatment and it's brilliant. Would highly recommend. Available from vets or online x

Shruggy · 14/12/2013 15:33

I use Frontline on my cats and buy it from ASDA as it's cheaper than from the vet. Have been using since pregnant and I'm fine.
Just always wash your hands before and after, or use disposable plastic gloves (you can get a big box in any Poundshop)

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/12/2013 15:39

As far as I know no ones meant to fuss cats after applying spot on treatments.

BM has indeed killed cats, my colleagues cat was only saved because she forgot something and went home at lunchtime. If she hadn't gone home the cat wouldn't have made it.

Advocate is cheaper online even after you've paid for a private prescription off your vets which the vet will issue as long as you've attended clinic within the previous 6 months.

MummyPig24 · 14/12/2013 17:01

I regularly frontline my cat and just wash hands afterwards.

clairesmiles · 14/12/2013 18:54

There are rare cases of cats being killed by BM, just the same as there are freak accidents where humans are harmed by over the counter medicines.

There isn't really anything to worry about as, just with human medicines that you buy over the counter, they don't sell them in large enough doses that will do any harm in most cases.

I have cats and you just have to be extra careful that's all. There is a disease that you can pick up from a cats poo when you're pregnant, so just be careful when changing their litter, or get someone else to do it. I still do it myself because i live with useless people but i just wash my hands thoroughly afterwards

xx

Original poster
Writerwannabe83 · 14/12/2013 19:14

When it comes to cat poo I also live with a hopeless person - my husband Grin

After weeks of me nagging at him to do the litter trays (and me eventually having to do them anyway) we decided to just throw them out. Thankfully our cats adjusted quite well, although one of them does get caught sometimes having a wee in the shower cubicle - she squats over the plug hole Grin

Both cats are absolutely fine today thankfully - I don't think I could live with the guilt if I accidentally killed one of them.....

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