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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

New kitten covered in fleas!!!

55 replies

Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:31

Just a rant really. We just bought a kitten yesterday. The owner said the she hadn't given him his flea treatment when I asked as she said she was letting us decide what we wanted to treat our kitten with. She said the kitten was only 2 days late off next due dose so should be fine. I kid you not we cuddled the kitten and she did not scratch once the entire times we visited.

So now fast forward to today and kitten is non stop scratching and ca visibly see the fleas running across her head and chin. I'm so devastated and fuming. The lady seemed so sincere about her cats and their welfare of them. I've had a flea infestation before and have a baby as well. It was a nightmare and we got bitten to a pulp. I also feel so sorry for the kitten as she is tiny and must be super uncomfortable with these giant fleas on her.

Tomorrow I will be onto the vets first thing but I'm just so angry that someone would charge hundreds for a kitten that comes infested and knowingly sells them on anyways. In todays day and age can clearly expect no less but still. Feel cheated of money but glad the kitten is in now responsible hands.

OP posts:
Mammyloveswine · 27/11/2022 17:32

Did you buy from a reputable breeder?

dementedpixie · 27/11/2022 17:35

Unlikely to be wormed either
Did you really pay hundreds of £s for it?

HappyHamsters · 27/11/2022 17:36

Who did you buy her from, did you check her for fleas. She needs to see a vet asap, kittens can die from anaemia from the fleas

Emberness · 27/11/2022 17:38

You know you are part of the problem don't you?

Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:40

@Mammyloveswine I bought her off pets4homes. Didn't see anything wrong the website it seemed pretty reputable but maybe that was silly of me to think. I found cats locally to me where scarce and when my kittens ad popped up I was hot on it as she already had other interest so although I felt hundreds was quite dear for my kitten it was the average price they were going for around me and I really wanted her.

I don't regret buying her as she is clearly better of with me. I just feel really annoyed. I do suspect she is anemic as she feels like skin and bones under her fur but we just assumed it was because she was young

OP posts:
Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:41

@Emberness I think the kitten staying with the irresponsible owner would of been more a problem for this cats health rather than me looking after her and making sure she is flea treated

OP posts:
Regularsizedrudy · 27/11/2022 17:43

Don’t buy kittens off the internet. You’ve fed into the suffering of future litters

AdventuringAway · 27/11/2022 17:44

Have you got any vet records - worming, vaccinations, etc? How old is the kitten? Is it microchipped? I’m afraid at this point you have to assume the breeder was vastly irresponsible and hasn’t taken any steps to ensure the kitten is healthy. Get it to the vets as a matter of urgency first thing tomorrow.

ILoveToads · 27/11/2022 17:44

You bought a kitten from a breeder.

Do some research on how these people make their money?! Call the RSPCA to check on the mother of your kitten.

I cannot believe people are still being so naive and contributing to the cycle of abuse.

Clymene · 27/11/2022 17:45

Fleas can kill kittens. You bought a kitten from a kitten farm. Poor little thing

Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:45

@Regularsizedrudy sorry where do people buy animals then? Pet shops are just as bad. I don't see the issue buying from this lady, the mother cat was neutered promptly after

OP posts:
Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:45

@Clymene I bought the kitten from a ladies house....

OP posts:
HappyHamsters · 27/11/2022 17:46

She sounds a sick little kittie, can you see her gums and see if they are pale . in hindsight it is always better to go to a rescue but its done now and she needs to see a vet. How old did they tell you she was, did you see her cat mum.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/11/2022 17:47

Can you put her in a warm soapy sink bath? That will get most of the fleas off.

anyonenowheremypenis · 27/11/2022 17:47

Are you able to was her? I don’t know if she should be washed so young.. It won’t solve the problem of the eggs, but might kill off the biters. I would certainly be contacting the breeder and leaving a review.

Emberness · 27/11/2022 17:47

Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:41

@Emberness I think the kitten staying with the irresponsible owner would of been more a problem for this cats health rather than me looking after her and making sure she is flea treated

No...you are responsible. Yes people shouldn't sell kittens like this..but while people like you buy them, they will.

willstarttomorrow · 27/11/2022 17:48

All of the above really. Spending 100s for a kitten without proof of vaccinations, chip and then worming and flea treatment on top is bloody stupid. I foster kittens and for a £90 adoption fee you will get a a kitten/cat with all this done and a requirement to bring them back to neuter if too young. I know there are lots of threads about not being allowed to adopt but in regards to the small local rescue I foster for; no outdoor cats to main roads or near trainlines and a commitment to keep them happy and well. Certain cats may not be suitable for homes with small children, other cats or dogs but many are fine.

Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:49

@HappyHamsters yes mother cat was there. Also saw pictures of the sibling. My kitten had been held back due to someone showing interest then not going through with it. Everything seemed fine and I met the kitten numerous times before buying. I spoke to the lady for a week and she seemed genuine

OP posts:
PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 27/11/2022 17:50

You need to treat her straight away, with flea treatment suitable for kittens. Can you reach an emergency vet?

Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:51

@willstarttomorrow I actually was a fosterer before purchasing this kitten. I decided to get this kitten as I wanted my own cat after doing my fair share of looking after cats and I wasn't allowed to Foster kittens as the cat sanctuary policy didn't allow it with babies incase of sharp claws and attacks.

I fostered alot of strays that came with fleas so the fleas isn't the issue it's just that this lady clearly lied to me

OP posts:
HappyHamsters · 27/11/2022 17:52

She was probably held back if she was sick. Is she eating, toilet, got clean bright eyes and pink gums. Can you comb or wash some fleas out. Have you had a cat before.

medicatedgift · 27/11/2022 17:53

Have you at least given the kitten a bath with shampoo? That'll kill the most of the fleas.

What age is it? You can get frontline in tescos. And get a house flea spray too while you're at it.

CoffeandTiaMaria · 27/11/2022 17:53

Poor little thing, riddled with fleas, probably worms as well and possibly too young to be taken from its mother ☹️
As for paying £££s…. More money than sense.
There are hundreds of unwanted cats and kittens in rescues; I cannot believe that there wasn’t a single kitten needing rehoming within a reasonable distance of your house.

VerifiedBot2351 · 27/11/2022 17:54

Aw no you’ve bought from a kitten farm.

Original poster
Wishuponastar5 · 27/11/2022 17:54

@HappyHamsters owned cats all my life. Work in a cat sanctuary. I know how to handle fleas. I just hate them. With a burning passion. Kitten is lively eating/drinking okay. I have a flea wash but was also told ages ago that washing can strip the oils so the flea treatment doesn't work as well when placed on the skin. Could be a bunch of rubbish but I don't know whether just to try and stick it out till tomorrow

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