Fleas - my poor boy

[rockstarshoes]

So my cat has been scratching for about a week, not himself etc but he's quite twitchy & licky in his natural state so didn't think too much of it!

Have 2 cats, the garden is secure so they don't go out side the garden so they haven't been having regular flea treatments.

Today I noticed that where he sits had lots of black flecks so made a vet appt & he's had a flea treatment.

He has not stopped licking & scratching since, is this normal? Is this the fleas having a last hoorah?

He doesn't seem to know what to do with himself - it's so distressing! I feel quite helpless!

When we flea, mite and worm treat ours the cats get all jumpy snd twitchy and itchy, yes. Black flecks would likely be flea faeces. Boy cat makes wee angry noises when he’s just been treated. Have a look at the skin just to check it’s not an allergic reaction as well. Be worth doing it monthly whether they roam or not, there could be other flea-ridden creatures passing through your garden. Fleas can also run a nice little park and ride in grass, sand, you name it - I found this out in the summer when we went for a picnic, came home looking like my ankles had the plague with the buggers marching around in the folds of my jeans. I must be the only person ever to risk infecting their own cats lol

I find the best thing is to flea comb the buggers out.

Well he seems a lot better this morning! There is fur everywhere though🤣

I have to do big flea clean up this morning anyway but I am very relieved.

Did he have the flea injection? I struggle to get my cat to the vet but would love the injection that lasts 6 months I think.

I think the fleas do have a last biting frenzy before they die! As you've discovered, cats don't need to be around other cats to get fleas. Mice and other animals have fleas, so if your cats go outside they might pick up fleas.

We had fleas this year (for the first time since 1996!) brought in from some serious mouse hunting and found that we had to repeat the spot on treatment, flea combing, Indorex spraying, forensic level hoovering, and washing everything in sight 3 times to eradicate all visible signs of fleas. I’m still hoovering crevices to catch any eggs that might be lurking around. It was exhausting so wish you luck.

Thanks for the advice & reassurance !

He's back to his pre flea self today thank goodness!

My husband stayed up all night with him on Friday it was so upsetting, even our other cat was nice to him 🤣

The other cat is off in the morning for her treatment so might discuss his reaction with the vet, just incase it was a reaction to the treatment!

I am exhausted! Haven't stopped hoovering & washing all weekend!

When ours had fleas we melted coconut oil and rubbed down kitty. Killed fleas and moitueized the fur balls skin.

Comb comb comb!! Get a flea comb and a bowl of water. Comb the little feckers out and drown them!!

Our cats won't let us comb them - it's hard enough getting the spot on stuff on them. Has anyone tried flea stuff that goes in their food? Does it work?

My cat hates the spot on and also difficult to get to the vets.
We bought Credelio from Atlantic pets

I crushed it into some lic a lix and he ate it off a spoon.

I have one cat that loves a brush but there is no way fleaboy would let me near him with a comb!

It was more his reaction to the treatment I was concerned about tbh

He was scratching like crazy, panting, just didn't know what to do with himself!

I would ask the vet, I’ve never had one pant

The injection only stops fleas breeding which still has value but won’t kill them once the cat has fleas.

Spoke to vet, said could have been a reaction but it likely does make them feel a bit odd for a bit!

Anyway it worked, he's back to his old self!

I'm still hoovering! 🙄 Every piece of soft furnishing in the house has been washed!

And here is is - Fleaboy!

I have a cat that pants at the vet. Vet says it's when they're feeling extreme stress.

That would probably fit!
Mixture of being taken to the vets, fleas having a last bite before dying & feeling a bit odd from the treatment!

He was home by the time he was panting - wrapping himself in the curtain, intense scratching, just absolutely couldn't stop!

He is about a kilo into the big cat treatment size & it went up another 5kgs so next time I won't put the whole treatment on him!

He's fine now though & flealess so all good!

Oh he is gorgeous!!!

Thank you lostcats He is the most gentle affectionate boy you could ever wish for!

He came from the rescue with his mum, who is half his size & not adverse to giving him a good smack round the chops if she thinks he deserves it! 😆