Small kitten with fleas

[fleariddenmoggie]

I have a taken in a small semi-feral kitten who is covered in fleas and has a bad eye infection. I took her to the vet yesterday and he covered her in a flea spray (I think frontline); however, I have just picked her up to treat her eye and a flea walked down my arm. He said yesterday that I cannot use advocate for another week as he thinks she is about 8 weeks old (although he also said it would probably be fine). Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of them over the next week?

I would give the vet a ring tomorrow, ask if you can bath her instead and then get some indorex for the house.

Do you bathe them in something in particular?

Just water so you can drown them or force them onto her ears so you can squash them.

Get a nit comb and try and comb as many as you can out. I used to give them a squeeze to kill them and pop them on some tissue. Boil wash towels and let off a flea smoke bomb.

They will be in your carpet/bedding/towels laying eggs. Worst time of year for them too!!

I have already bought some indorex but presume there is no point in using it until she is flea free. The dog is treated with advocate so hopefully will be ok - I am not sure whether cat fleas live on dogs

When I had this (many years ago) I sprayed the kitten-suitable flea spray onto tissues, and wiped the fleas off one by one. I was up all night doing it, but the poor little chap was riddled with them - they were coming out of his nostrils - I was seriously worried he might not make it.
However, it worked - he recovered well once de-fleaed and we had 18 happy years together.

I am not sure whether cat fleas live on dogs

Yes, they do - in fact I read that most fleas on dogs are cat fleas, not dog fleas! If your dog has been treated he should be fine, though.

Whatever you do,do not go anywhere near Bob Martin

She is not keen on being handled and will only tolerate being held for short periods so combing her will be a nightmare. She is currently sitting on top of my work bag so I will have to spray that :(

The indorex carries in working for ages, it also kills eggs and larvae but you’ll need to keep the pets away from it.

Fleas live in the house and jump on the animal to feed, and then jump back off. You need to do your house, every corner, behind furniture, along skirting boards etc. I have the exact same problem atm, but my house is riddled with fleas due to a puppy I fostered. Your kitten will never be rid of fleas (even if you've treated him/her) unless you do the house first. Eggs get shed everywhere. It's a bloody nightmare lol.

No nit comb in the house so I have just used the dog’s furminator - to my surprise the kitten seemed to quite like being combed. No sign of fleas (although I couldn’t get under her armpits) but some flea dirt. The kitten has only been in two rooms in the house so hopefully the infestation is contained. I may get in a professional pest control company as I work from home and can’t have my clients bitten by fleas. She is proving to be a very expensive addition to the household

We call ours a furry money pit.