I messed up the flea treatment - help!

[Sunshine49]

Hi everyone,

I finally plucked up the courage to apply a spot-on flea treatment (Advantage) to my two very nervous rescue cats this morning. It's the first one they've had since arriving 2.5 months ago and while they are indoor cats at the moment (so less likely to get fleas), we did have a cat sitter round recently so I was a little worried that she may have inadvertently brought a flea into the house.

I managed to get the pipette under the male's fur and squirt about half of it on, before he shot off and wouldn't let me come near him again. With the girl, I accidentally got quite a bit on her fur. She now has a greasy/wet patch on the back of her neck and keeps trying to lick it off (I think part of it is just within reach for her). Is there anything I can do? I'm terrified that it's toxic and is going to make her ill!

Could you just get a warm, wrung out flannel and wipe the hair (just the hair) where it is wet. Maybe wipe a wet comb through it. The pipettes are within a range of weights, so enough may be absorbed through the skin for your cat's weight. Or near enough.

Same with the one who scarpered. If they are in the middle of the range, enough may have been absorbed. You might get another shot otherwise. Have you anyone to help you administer the stuff. They hold the cat firm, swaddled in a towel.

I doubt if anyone gets it perfectly right. It is difficult.

The good thing is you do it every month. So you will get many chances to perfect your technique!

I wouldn't worry too much, especially if you don't actually know if they have any fleas. The doses cover a wide weight range, so your male will have probably had enough to be effective. Apparently Advantage tastes bitter, so if your female does manage to lick some, she might foam at the mouth to try to get rid of the taste (not a cause for concern in its own right). If there is any vomiting, please consult a vet! The greasy patch should dissipate over the next day.

Thanks so much everyone for the reassurance. The wet/greasy patch has now totally disappeared and she seems fine. I think I'm definitely going to look into oral treatments or the injection from the vet for next time though!

Thats how it always appears-a greasy patch on the back of the neck.
Nothing to worry about-I do it while they are eating and they dont notice.

That's a good tip QuiteCleanBandit - thanks!

mine have a little greasy patch every time. One of my cats is white and it goes a little yellow on the patch for a few days too...

The trouble is, I think I managed to get most of it on her fur and not the skin below. She was grooming herself for ages afterwards too. Poor girl Glad it has disappeared now!

I wouldn't worry too much. It is very difficult to do. I get dh to do ours.

Mine are very cooperative with spot ins. But trying to get in actually onto their skin rather than their long fur is very difficult. Having said that my parents short haired cat is even worse as you can't part his 'pelt' at all!