Hi all! I went hunting for a cat forum this AM as I need some advice on caring for the wee bitty I found on the side of the highway yesterday afternoon.
Bacon is maybe 4 weeks old. He's very skinny, had a mild flea infestation and definitely has some ear mite issues. He is eating and peeing (still waiting for that first poop
), playing and mugging for attention.
He's living on our screened porch ATM as we have three indoor cats and a great dane who would probably mistake him for a squeaky toy.
We gave him a bath last night and it was pretty effective vs. the fleas, but there are some stragglers hanging on. I haven't been able to get anything off of him with a flea comb; he's so skinny and small that the fleas are able to run to find hidey holes before I can get to them.
We are planning on giving him another bath this evening, but I need some advice as to how to deal with the adults that have already jumped ship.
There is a carpet on the porch with very low pile (more like a sheet of felt) and a couch (velour- ahh, the 70's) that he has claimed as his own.
I would like to treat the couch and carpet with borax, but I have read varying opinions about how long to leave it down for max effectiveness. As Bacon must continue to live on the porch, leaving it down overnight isn't really an option. Would a few hours still be effective? Any other ideas?
As for the rest of the house- we've been as careful as possible, stripping naked after interacting with him and dumping all clothes straight into a pre-filled washer, but I'd rather be proactive. Everyone is getting a fresh dose of advantage today; do you think I should treat the house with borax as well? Any point in putting it down on hardwood and a leather couch? He's been here 18 hours and was inside for exactly 20 minutes post bath last night, swathed in a towel for ease of flea picking. I'm very concerned about the fleas and want to attack this problem NOW before they have a chance to get a foothold.
When would it be appropriate to treat the earmites and to worm him? I'm concerned that worming him right now will be too hard on his system. He doesn't have much of a "wormy belly", but considering he has every other common parasite I'm sure there is a worm load. Can I use prescribed miticide on such a young kitten, or should I stick to mineral oil for now?
Any other advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. He's a very cool little guy and I believe we already have a home lined up for him, barring a FIV or FeLV positive.
I've been around the internet long enough to know I can't post about an adorable kitten without offering pics, so here ya go.
Thanks!
Bacon is maybe 4 weeks old. He's very skinny, had a mild flea infestation and definitely has some ear mite issues. He is eating and peeing (still waiting for that first poop
), playing and mugging for attention.He's living on our screened porch ATM as we have three indoor cats and a great dane who would probably mistake him for a squeaky toy.
We gave him a bath last night and it was pretty effective vs. the fleas, but there are some stragglers hanging on. I haven't been able to get anything off of him with a flea comb; he's so skinny and small that the fleas are able to run to find hidey holes before I can get to them.
We are planning on giving him another bath this evening, but I need some advice as to how to deal with the adults that have already jumped ship.
There is a carpet on the porch with very low pile (more like a sheet of felt) and a couch (velour- ahh, the 70's) that he has claimed as his own.
I would like to treat the couch and carpet with borax, but I have read varying opinions about how long to leave it down for max effectiveness. As Bacon must continue to live on the porch, leaving it down overnight isn't really an option. Would a few hours still be effective? Any other ideas?
As for the rest of the house- we've been as careful as possible, stripping naked after interacting with him and dumping all clothes straight into a pre-filled washer, but I'd rather be proactive. Everyone is getting a fresh dose of advantage today; do you think I should treat the house with borax as well? Any point in putting it down on hardwood and a leather couch? He's been here 18 hours and was inside for exactly 20 minutes post bath last night, swathed in a towel for ease of flea picking. I'm very concerned about the fleas and want to attack this problem NOW before they have a chance to get a foothold.
When would it be appropriate to treat the earmites and to worm him? I'm concerned that worming him right now will be too hard on his system. He doesn't have much of a "wormy belly", but considering he has every other common parasite I'm sure there is a worm load. Can I use prescribed miticide on such a young kitten, or should I stick to mineral oil for now?
Any other advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. He's a very cool little guy and I believe we already have a home lined up for him, barring a FIV or FeLV positive.
I've been around the internet long enough to know I can't post about an adorable kitten without offering pics, so here ya go.
Thanks!
