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Cat with FAD and struggling to get rid of fleas

10 replies

Meandacat · 15/07/2017 19:21

My poor cat is really suffering from flea allergy dermatitis and I feel I'm struggling to get rid of the fleas. She no longer has the bald patches she did at first diagnosis but the continuing problem is her eyes which she claws at til they are a bloody mess (literally). The infection there has also spread to her claws, so now it just keeps going back and forth. I so want this sorted because she has a history of eye ulcers, one of which was bad enough to require surgery.

She's on her second course of steroids and antibiotics. We've also tried dabbing her eyes and paws (and another area on her chest which was red and very smelly - that at least seems to have improved) with Leucillin. She's was Frontlined 3 weeks ago, (following a previous Bob Martin treatment which did nothing. Yeah, I know). I've used Indorex on carpets and soft furnishings and washed everything she's sat on. I've even rubbed her down with coconut oil as I read fleas hate that. But we still have fleas! We used a flea comb on her this afternoon and caught 6. I feel helpless and that we'll never get the itch and eye problems solved til we can eradicate the fleas. What else can I do?!! She's an indoor cat, but likes to sit in the garden with us occasionally. She is totally miserable and although this has only been going on for a couple of months, it feels like forever.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 15/07/2017 19:41

Frontline stopped working years ago, you need advocate.

TeenagersandFurbabies · 15/07/2017 19:50

Get Advocate from your vets it's about £20 for 3 doses also use Indorex weekly paying special attention to the tiny space between skirting & carpet also spray curtains and mattresses make sure you do under everything. Fleas really do get everywhere.

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/07/2017 19:56

Stop with the over counter flea treatments and see your vet for an effective product. There are some cases where we are having to use a combination of 3 or 4 products, but this must only be done under supervision of s vet.

Angeldt · 15/07/2017 20:02

My cat has a cat allergy as well. My cat got prescribed Piriton - half a tablet a day. Yes they will be drowsy (so don't let them out ) Definitely only use flea prevention from the vet as well. You also have to be vigilant with the spray.

Wolfiefan · 15/07/2017 20:12

Frontline is rubbish.
Advocate.

Meandacat · 15/07/2017 20:26

Thanks everyone. Back to the vet then. Will make an appt next week as I'm assuming despite its uselessness, I still need to wait the full four weeks from giving her the Frontline before having her re-treated. It'll be an excuse to get her eyes checked again anyway.

And I've ordered yet more Indorex!

Oh, and yes, Angeldt, we've tried her on Piriton too, though I might keep that going if I see her itching elsewhere. At least drowsy means she isn't running all over the house, spreading flea eggs in her wake!

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 15/07/2017 22:22

Meandcat under your vets supervision you do not need to wait 4 weeks. There are a variety of products that are okay to use even if frontline has been applied.

Weedsnseeds1 · 16/07/2017 10:15

Diatomaceous earth to treat the house. It was the only thing that worked on a horrendous infestation a few years ago. I was sceptical ( tend to be the sort of person who prefers chemicals to "natural remedies") but it was highly effective, if somewhat messy!

Meandacat · 16/07/2017 19:50

Yep, tried the diatomaceous earth already too!! But I've shelved it for the time being as I read it can irritate eyes if it gets there, and I don't want to add to that problem!

I think I'm maybe being impatient in wanting them gone because my poor girl is such a shadow of her former self. Never having had them before (and she is 14!) I've probably underestimated the lengths/time necessary to eradicate them. I'll just keep at it with everythi suggested, and will defo be on to the vet tomorrow to see what they can give her for the actual fleas rather than just the itch. Thinking over the counter stuff would do the trick has obviously been my biggest mistake.

OP posts:
Weedsnseeds1 · 16/07/2017 20:13

And keep combing, with a glass of soapy water on hand to dunk and drown as you go!

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