Fipronil for kittens?

Finally, we have brought home our two kittens. Took them to the vet first, and since we have reason to suspect they have fleas, he gave us a spray that says it contains 0.25% fipronil. According to the box, there are no side effects and we are to apply it all over the body, taking care to avoid the eyes. They are only about 8 weeks old and weigh about a pound. Should it be safe to use it in the manner indicated? I'd like to trust that the vet knows what he's doing; but I know how much kittens groom themselves and each other, and I'm wary of using a flea spray that's applied from head to toe.

Personally I would not want to use a spray. I have never trusted a spray so I don't really have any advice on if it is safe or not. I would look into getting them revolution. That has always been the first flea med I have ever put on my kittens. It cost more than sprays do though.

The spray is approved from 2 weeks of age and if they have fleas it's imperative you treat them, before they infest your house (the eggs drop off and a female flea can lay 50 a day). 

Whatever you apply will spread from head to tail, but the spray dries quite quickly so keep them apart until that has happened.

Hopefully they also got a wormer.

Googling I see fipronil is the active ingrediens in Frontline. Frontline is supposed to be OK. So it shouldnt be bad by itself.

Although Frontline is used as a spot on...  Behind of the skull, so they cant lick off too easily.
 

I don't care for sprays much but do agree with Oriental in that you want to get all those fleas killed before any have a chance to jump off and live in your home. I prefer the spot on treatments but don't think you should mix the two together, spray and spot on. If it were me, I would bathe the kittens with a few drops of dawn dishwashing detergent and a few drops of Anise extract diluted with water. Anise extract will kill those fleas!! You might not have any on hand though. Then apply the spot on treatment or the spray if that is all you have.

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and sprayed them last night, even though it was quite traumatic for the littler one and I hate having to be "the bad guy." (Thankfully, today it has all been forgiven.) The vet didn't see any fleas actually on them, but they were scratching and I myself came home with a flea bite two days ago, after visiting them while they were still with their mother. Here's hoping this is the end of it. And yes, they were wormed and had their first set of shots when they saw the vet. Follow-up appointment is for next month.

If they show signs of having fleas in the future, will treating them with something like Frontline or Advantage get rid of them, or will it mean that they've infested and we need an exterminator? (Perish the thought!)

Frontline spray is considered to be quite safe, from a young age. I think it'll be fine.

If you keep on top of the fleas you shouldn't end up with an infestation. Can you get Capstar? Whenever using a topical I like to give Capstar at the same time, to give the topical time to kick in.

I believe that it is safe to use on animals above 8 weeks, but I would try bathing them to get rid of the fleas.  When I found a pair of kittens several years ago it was recommended that I bathe them in Dawn dish soap to eliminate the fleas as they were too young to use topical products.  We did that and the fleas were a non issue.  Not knowing if Stella had fleas or not when I got her I did the same thing, and didn't have a problem.  I would do that, run a flea comb through their fur very carefully to keep anyone from surviving, and use more drastic measures if necessary.
 

I'll look for a flea comb; but we don't have Dawn dish soap here. What's in it that makes it effective against fleas? If there's something special about it, I'll see if any of the dish soaps available here have it too.

They are still scratching today... I'm not too worried about fleas on them because there are so many products to get rid of them, but I have no idea what we would do if we had to deal with an infestation. I tried searching both of them and can't see any sign of fleas, but their fur is very thick and it's hard to see the skin. Maybe they are still itchy from bites they got 2 days ago?

Now you've sprayed them with fipronil there's not point in washing them - you will wash it away.  You do need to spray enough to dampen the coat right through - just a quick mist on the top isn't enough.

I doubt there is anything special about Dawn dish soap compared to any other kind of hard soap.  It will act as a wetting agent when you wash a cat or kitten which will help it remove fleas.

The best way to find traces of fleas is to use a flea comb on the kitten when it's stood on white paper.  If you get any dark specks out, put a drop or so of water on them.  If they stain it red that's flea dirt.  You might also comb some fleas out if you use a flea comb.

No worries, I know better than to wash off the flea spray. I was thinking in terms of future use.

I tried to spray them sufficiently, and then worked it into their coats going against the direction of fur growth, as per the instructions; but it was hard to get their tummies. Would it hurt to spray them once more?

StealthKitty said:

I'll look for a flea comb; but we don't have Dawn dish soap here. What's in it that makes it effective against fleas? If there's something special about it, I'll see if any of the dish soaps available here have it too.

They are still scratching today... I'm not too worried about fleas on them because there are so many products to get rid of them, but I have no idea what we would do if we had to deal with an infestation. I tried searching both of them and can't see any sign of fleas, but their fur is very thick and it's hard to see the skin. Maybe they are still itchy from bites they got 2 days ago?

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Hm, I didn't notice that you aren't from around here!  I don't know if there is anything special about Dawn in particular, but the places that I remember specifically mentioned Dawn.  If you are getting things under control in other ways I wouldn't worry with it though.

I think the reason Dawn is specifically recommended is because it's used to wash oil off sea critters so you KNOW it's safe for small animals. Other brands may have nastier ingredients. But there's nothing special about Dawn other than that. I would personally prefer a gentle kitten shampoo if that's a choice.

Suspect that Dawn have got a marketing coup WRT the seabirds.  Also since we know some things are toxic to dogs and not cats, and vice versa, I wouldn't regard safe for seabirds as the same as safe for cats.  Here in the UK washing up liquid has been successfully used for cleaning oiled birds.

The soap I'd look for would be Simple soap which is unscented.  In the UK we call it bar soap, to distinguish it from liquid soap.

I have used baby shampoo because it is mild. But I agree a kitten shampoo if you can find it.

Called the vet last night about the scratching, and he said it would be OK to spray them once more but not as heavily as the first application. Did so and haven't seen any more scratching, so far. Sure hope that's the end of it. (They were much more relaxed about the manhandling and indignity this time! Nary a peep from the little one.)

Thanks for everyone's advice!

ETA: Does scratching behind the ear always mean fleas?

Not always.  Don't you scratch from time to time without having fleas? 

Get a flea comb, stand kitten on a sheet of white paper, comb, if you get any bits of dark dirt out moisten them.  If they tinge the water pink they are flea dirt, though it can hang around in the coat for a few days after you've got rid of the fleas.

OrientalSlave said:

Not always.  Don't you scratch from time to time without having fleas?  

Get a flea comb, stand kitten on a sheet of white paper, comb, if you get any bits of dark dirt out moisten them.  If they tinge the water pink they are flea dirt, though it can hang around in the coat for a few days after you've got rid of the fleas.

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LOL, good point. I'm very sensitive about fleas; guess maybe I'm worrying a bit too much.

I haven't found a flea comb yet but will keep looking. Might try to improvise something similar, if necessary.

I'm sure you can get a flea comb online if you can't find one in the shops.  Making something would be hard as they have very fine teeth with tiny gaps between them.

Trust me, if I could order a flea comb online I wouldn't be posting here about it.