New to cats and fleas

Hello.

I just received my first cat, a 6 month orange tabby female on Friday. Before the person I received her from got her, she had spent about a week outside. We've done our first vet visit and she has ear mites, fleas, and possible ringworm. She has received revolution for the ear mites and fleas. Also, antibiotic for skin infection from scratching flea bites. She's doing much better and is really developing a very unique personality. The first few days she was pretty lethargic.

I'm just registering today, but have been lurking since Monday. I think I've read every discussion about fleas. I've vacuumed everyday and last night applied borax. I'm still in the process of vacuuming it up. To protect Tiger I have her in my bathroom. I'm so happy I've found this site. I've been stressing over the fleas big time. Saturday I leave for a 7-day cruise and don't want to come back to a huge flea infestation. I do have someone coming over while I'm away to check on Tiger, she'll actually be spending a couple of nights.

I do have one question. Does revolution kill new fleas when they bite? I noticed that Tiger is still getting bitten and I feel terrible for her.

Thanks!!!!

Hello and a warm welcome from Spain and my kitty-crew

I use Frontline for my flea control - so I cant really comment about Revolution, but I am sure some of our other members have used it and they will be able to advise. Normally these type of drops usually kill the adult flea and stop the eggs from hatching, so I´m not sure what´s happening with your kitty Fleas are such a pest

Anyway, its great to have you and Tiger here maybe when you get back from your cruise you can post some photos of Tiger we just love photos here !!

Enjoy the forums.........oh and have a super time on your cruise !!

Hi there

we're so happy to welcome you and Tiger to TCS. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay with us - we're one great big family and you'll find loads of friends here. If I can help at all while you're finding your way around TCS just click on my username and send me a Personal Message - I'll do what I can to answer your questions

I'm so sorry to hear that poor little Tiger is having an issue with those pesky fleas. It's great that you're doing such a good job with her. I use Frontline for our kitties to. I don't know whether Revolution works the same, but Frontline spreads across the skin and forms a layer that is poisonous to any fleas that bite the kitty. so, although they may bite once, that will be the end of that particular flea.

Good luck with Tiger's issues. You might try posting your question on the Health and Nutrition forum, the resident experts might be able to tell you a little more.

Thank you for responding. I'll post some pictures of Tiger after I get back.

Welcome to TCS Sending good luck vibes for your flea problem, I know fleas are a huge pain in the butt.

Dear Tiger and Tea:

Welcome (officially!) to TheCatSite and we are glad you decided to make it real and become "one of us"! Thank you so much for adopting little Tiger, fleas n' all -- yes, the ear mites are easily eradicated, as you've learned; and you're doing the right things as far as the other issues are concerned, too. I don't know about Revolution, as we used Advantage when we lived in a flea-friendly climate (oddly enough, here in the Mojave Desert at 4,100 feet above sea level, there are NO FLEAS! We've heard it may be because of the freezes and snows we get, but we're not sure). It is true that, if you have fleas in your environment, you need to get rid of 'em. Borax is a good "natural" way to do this. There's also a product called FleaBusters (GOOGLE 'em on the Web) that you work into your carpet that kills fleas; it's a powder, easily applied, like Borax, and very effective.

Hi!, and Welcome to TCS!!!

...See you on the forums!

Welcome, I have no experience with Revolution either so no help, but if you give your vet a call they are usually happy to answer questions like that over the phone

We just picked up a stray that has fleas. The vet gave him a pill and applied frontline plus. What should we do about our carpets and under the bed? What about our couch? Thanks

Welcome!

Vacuuming (and then throwing out that particular vac bag, if your vac uses 'em) is a good idea. The fleas having no host after your cats are treated with the topical (Frontline), will leave or die; but to hasten the process, vacuuming is a good idea. You may also want to apply a safe product such as FleaBusters (Google 'em on the Web) to your carpets, following the instructions; or you can do the same thing with borax powder. Make SURE you keep your cats out of the carpeted areas while you're working the powder into your carpets (with a broom) before letting them back in to those areas. It's easy, economical, and lasts for a year! And, by applying the topical as instructed, you won't have any more flea problems if you keep your cats inside. (Which is the safest thing to do, and you won't have more flea problems!) THANK YOU for rescuing the homeless cat;I hope (s)he makes a wonderful addition to your family!

Thanks! I just bought carpet & upholstery spray. I vacuumed half the apartment now. The poor kitties are so beat from excitement & are hiding in the bedroom. It's a he...tuxedo kitty & 3 months old. We just need to find a name for him.

Dear Philly and Fams:

That's great; I'm sure they'll venture out as soon as you're done. And as to his name, it'll come to you. It always does, given time. That's my experience, at least.

Tea_4Me

Are are your flea issues? Hubby & I went out for a bit last night & I found some in his hair. When we got home we sprayed his car then I told him to shower. LoL My hubby has fleas. I vacuumed like crazy yesterday and going to again today. I cleaned all the clothes we wore, sheets, towels & blankets. I just hope I don't have to do this daily. I live in an apartment & I did 7 loads at 3$ a pop.

I hope all is well with you. Are you enjoying this cold weather as much as I?

Dear Tea and fams:

LOL that is funny that your husband has fleas. I won't make any additional comments about men and fleas as they might not be appreciated

No, gosh no! you shouldn't have any problem at all once your cats are treated with topicals and you've "gotten" the hangers-on in the house with any of the methods I've described (other CatSite posters may have other suggestions -- the moderators and site owner especially are fountains of knowledge on all things CAT!)

We fortunately live in a climate now, where fleas do not survive! but when we move back to the city, we may have a need to resume the topicals.

Don't give up! (uh, you may think about building a LARGE doghouse outside for your flea-bearer LOL) I couldn't resist

You guys are cracking me up!

Welcome to the site!

I also use frontline, so couldn't tell you much about revloution, but I did want to tell you that if youâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re using a flea preventative on your cat, you shouldnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t have to worry too much about your infestation, or about coming home to thousands of the critters all over the house. According to our vet (and personal experience) fleas like animals much more than they like humans. That's good news for you because EVERY flea needs a host (your cat) in order to survive. So if your home gets infested with fleas, chances are they are all going to bite your cat at one time or another. That isn't good news for your cat, but it's good news for your house because it means that all of the fleas are eventually going to die after hanging out with kitty. At least, that's how it works with Frontline, and I would assume that it would work with any preventative. I'm not sure if other people have had different experiences, but in our years of doing dog rescue we have encountered fleas MANY MANY times. We have never had a problem with our home becoming infested, even with dogs coming to us straight from the farm. We are sure to apply frontline the day they come to us and even though it takes a little while to take care of every flea, it does eventually kill them all. We have never used pesticide in our home or "bombed" our house, and we have never had a flea problem, as long as all the animals are kept on preventative.

And welcome, by the way!!! Sorry about that!

O Squirtle, Dori, and Brody (you are a very funny-looking cat!):

That's a beautiful siggy you have, and Dori is a gorgeous blue girl! Just wanted to compliment you on her, and on your screen name -- my little black shorthaired, golden-eyed, 13-year-old girl is named Katie, but her nickname is Squirtle. Bet'cha can't guess why.