Year round flea protection- 1-800 pet meds.

Saw a commerical on TV that recomends year round flea protection and meds for cold weather joints. I thought that you only had to give Frontline, ect. During early spring-thru fall. I uderstand that fleas have 6 month long life cycles but the meds kill everything. Can fleas come into a house with untreated cats during winter in northern minnesoda?http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima...s/confused.gif Do any of you buy joint meds during winter? I find actually needing them in a centrally heated house is a screw over for $ (just my opinion) Am going to buy from pet meds this spring howeverhttp://www.thecatsite.com/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

Buying meds online or over-the-counter is a risky business. OTC meds are often ineffective and online meds are not always what they are advertised to be. Meds obtained from sources other than a vet are usually ineffective and can be downright dangerous. A number of cats have died using those products.

Vets administer quality medication in doses that are appropriate for the cat's age and weight. Unless you are a rescuer working with your vet and know what products and dosages to use, then stay away from OTC and online medications.

As for your question re the northern hemisphere, we do not do flea treatment during the cold winter months. We treat with Revolution from April until November. But, having said that, if you've had a flea infestation, the eggs can live in carpeting and upholstery for I believe it's about 1 year. If you have had such an infestation, take a flea collar, cut it up and put the pieces in your vacuum. Vacuum religiously and after each vacuuming, place the used vacuum bag outdoors. Do not ever use flea collars on the cats directly.

Thanks I am well aware of the risks odering online/ OTC. Have heard terrible stories on this form about Hartz/ will never use.http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima.../angryfire.gif But its the same brand- Frontline, that our vet uses. Does this matter? Can their protect be any differnt then the vets if its the SAME BRAND!?


I know abourt flea collers and their uses in vacums and I check Bindi for fleas reugluarly. Has none now http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima...lies/agree.gif Due to events last summer and early fall I no longer trust the other people in my life judgement over fleas, been there done that- wound up buying more Frontline from my vet after some of the three month sample was taken away and used by someone with multipual cats that she didnt even have enough for afterwards and then to the freaking out one of my PCA'S when I had another reinfestation. http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima...s/rolleyes.gif. Long story.

I had stopped using the flea meds for the winter break, BUT, I have had to resume the revolution treatments because of a roundworm problem with one cat. He brought them into the house and his first treatment didn't get rid of them so the vet said put all my cats back on the revolution for at least two months in a row this winter to make sure no one has them.

It seems there is always some darn parasite trying to take up residence!

That's true and not just for cats either. Two summers ago I pulled a fat tick off my head http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima...laughing02.gif. I saw a show on the discovery chennal called eaten alive. About parasites and the human body. Luckly fleas and gone in our house and there never coming back. Not if I can help it!!! http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/ima.../angryfire.gif