Fleas!

As I was combing/brushing my Rufus this afternoon, I came up with two live fleas.  I immediately gave him a bath, coat conditioner and blowout and washed all his bedding, then went to the vet for another dose of Revolution.  In the name of economy, I used to give him a dose every other month, rather than once a month, but as today's brushing evidenced, it doesn't seem to be doing the trick anymore; he needs it more frequently.

Revolution is now up to $18.75 for a single dose at my vet's!  (The eight-pack is almost $100).  This is REALLY expensive.   I know that pet meds such as Revolution can be bought from online warehouses probably more cheaply than from the vet's office, but I'm hesitant to go into my vet's office and say, "Hey, I want a copy of my pet's prescription so I can give my business to someone else."  I LOVE my vet, and I don't want to insult her practice by letting her know I'm spending my money somewhere else.

Everybody's 2 cents worth?  Should I bite the bullet and talk to my vet?  I don't need to remind everybody that economic times are tough right now; every penny counts.  Saving money on Rufus's meds means I'm able to put more money into other aspects of his care--good quality food, and grooming products, for instance.  Is there something comparable to Revolution that's less expensive, such as a generic or an over-the-counter flea prevention?  Rufus is an indoor cat, but he goes out on leash walks once in a while.

Personally, I would start wondering how he gets the fleas in the first place. Do you have other animals? Do you visit people with animals? Does he go outdoors? Do you walk around in tall grass or weeds?

If you can find the cause, you can fix that cheaper than buying Revolution.

I have 5 cats, I live next to the forest, and I rarely see a flea on the ladies. Usually, they come from visiting friends who don't believe in flea treatments. The only time I had to treat the ladies was when Sugar got out and was gone for 4 days. I went to the vet and was given Advantage Multi samples for them. I only had to give the vet a review of how it worked for them.

Oh, he probably gets them from me.  No joke.  We don't have any other mammalian pets.  I am a housekeeper by trade; every week I am in up to 10 different homes, most of which have pets.  I am quite sure that at least two of my clients' homes are positively lousy with fleas (pun intended).  I'm guessing they come home on my clothing, or perhaps the eggs do.  Suppose I should talk to my clients instead?

Talking to the clients could be a losing proposition. They are liable to take it as an insult and fire you. If you work with a service, you might talk with them about requiring any house with animals to use proper parasite control.

The alternative is to require the people that have fleas to pay an additional fee for working in an unhealthy environment. After all, the fleas are the things that spread plague and other serious diseases.

This is how we got rid of fleas on our cat, and in our home.

You're first stop should be at pet smart, to pick up Advantage 2 for cats (Of course, you'll need to know if your cat is above or below nine pounds).

Next, off to Walmart to buy some Enforcer flea killer for carpets (It's a powder for your carpets, which is where the tiny vampires lay their eggs).

Put the advantage on your cat, and put him in a room other than the one he spent the majority of his time in, he needs to be in their overnight, so set his food, water, and litter (I forgot that last one, had a huge mess in the morning) in their as well.

Now, if your cat stayed in a primarily carpeted room, sprinkle the enforcer mostly in it, and any other carpet in the house your cat might have gone to (Make sure you or your cat don't inhale, ingest, or touch the powder while it's there. If your skin is sensitive, it will give you a bad rash. Use some socks instead of barefoot.). If you still have some left over, use it on chairs, sofas, or any other upholstery that can be vacuumed. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum up all of it, make sure you don't miss any.

Vacuum and mop everywhere your cat stays at least two or three times a day, to get rid of the eggs. If you left the powder in the bag, then no need to throw the bag away just yet, and also, I would only use the powder once every two weeks, as it is a chemical, and might be bad to use it daily.

Cat was flea-free in the morning, room is much better, only see the occasional straggler, and infestation will be over soon.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, if you've already applied flea medicine to your cat, you'll have to wait till it wears off till you put some advantage on the cat. Also, under 5 pounds, your cat cannot take advantage. Sorry about the double-post, couldn't find out how to edit.

I had a similar problem and my vet cut my price for Revolution when I asked him.  There are many times when they run "Buy x# and get x# free."  When they have that, I've been able to get Revolution for $11 a dose.

But you can also use food grade diatomaceous earth (or a product like Capstar).  Its a double whammy because it kills the tapeworms with whom the fleas have a symbiotic relationship.  Then the Revolution takes care of the fleas.

I would also flea bomb the house, at least once, like Dagger 311 suggested.  You've got an infestation that needs a real assault.

Plus, can you take you clothes off before you come into the house when you return from work?  Our laundry is right next to the door, so we often strip and put the clothes right into the washer.  That may help you stop bringing them into the house.

Dagger311 said:

This is how we got rid of fleas on our cat, and in our home.

You're first stop should be at pet smart, to pick up Advantage 2 for cats (Of course, you'll need to know if your cat is above or below nine pounds).

Next, off to Walmart to buy some Enforcer flea killer for carpets (It's a powder for your carpets, which is where the tiny vampires lay their eggs).

Put the advantage on your cat, and put him in a room other than the one he spent the majority of his time in, he needs to be in their overnight, so set his food, water, and litter (I forgot that last one, had a huge mess in the morning) in their as well.

Now, if your cat stayed in a primarily carpeted room, sprinkle the enforcer mostly in it, and any other carpet in the house your cat might have gone to (Make sure you or your cat don't inhale, ingest, or touch the powder while it's there. If your skin is sensitive, it will give you a bad rash. Use some socks instead of barefoot.). If you still have some left over, use it on chairs, sofas, or any other upholstery that can be vacuumed. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum up all of it, make sure you don't miss any.

Vacuum and mop everywhere your cat stays at least two or three times a day, to get rid of the eggs. If you left the powder in the bag, then no need to throw the bag away just yet, and also, I would only use the powder once every two weeks, as it is a chemical, and might be bad to use it daily.

Cat was flea-free in the morning, room is much better, only see the occasional straggler, and infestation will be over soon.

Good luck!

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Good advice, but if she keeps bringing in fleas and eggs every week from the houses she suspects, all the effort will be for nothing. Also, I would be very careful using Enforcer. It is extremely toxic and just a little bit missed could cause a cat to become very sick or die.

catspaw66 said:

Dagger311 said:

This is how we got rid of fleas on our cat, and in our home.

You're first stop should be at pet smart, to pick up Advantage 2 for cats (Of course, you'll need to know if your cat is above or below nine pounds).

Next, off to Walmart to buy some Enforcer flea killer for carpets (It's a powder for your carpets, which is where the tiny vampires lay their eggs).

Put the advantage on your cat, and put him in a room other than the one he spent the majority of his time in, he needs to be in their overnight, so set his food, water, and litter (I forgot that last one, had a huge mess in the morning) in their as well.

Now, if your cat stayed in a primarily carpeted room, sprinkle the enforcer mostly in it, and any other carpet in the house your cat might have gone to (Make sure you or your cat don't inhale, ingest, or touch the powder while it's there. If your skin is sensitive, it will give you a bad rash. Use some socks instead of barefoot.). If you still have some left over, use it on chairs, sofas, or any other upholstery that can be vacuumed. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum up all of it, make sure you don't miss any.

Vacuum and mop everywhere your cat stays at least two or three times a day, to get rid of the eggs. If you left the powder in the bag, then no need to throw the bag away just yet, and also, I would only use the powder once every two weeks, as it is a chemical, and might be bad to use it daily.

Cat was flea-free in the morning, room is much better, only see the occasional straggler, and infestation will be over soon.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Good advice, but if she keeps bringing in fleas and eggs every week from the houses she suspects, all the effort will be for nothing. Also, I would be very careful using Enforcer. It is extremely toxic and just a little bit missed could cause a cat to become very sick or die.

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Yeah, enforcer is pretty harsh, it can even make humans sick if breathed in enough, that's why I put my cat up overnight. By the third time I'd vacuumed that day, all of it was gotten up. As for the eggs on her clothes, and this will sound weird, but make a bucket of water with some joy lemon dish soap, kills the things dead if you let them soak. I think we got our fleas from our yard, so I also littered the ground out there in some kind of dirt (Food-grade something that starts with a "D" earth, I think), not sure how well it worked, as finding a flea in my yard would be like finding a needle in a haystack, but it's supposed to cut their shell and make them bleed out.

Dagger311 said:

I think we got our fleas from our yard, so I also littered the ground out there in some kind of dirt (Food-grade something that starts with a "D" earth, I think), not sure how well it worked, as finding a flea in my yard would be like finding a needle in a haystack, but it's supposed to cut their shell and make them bleed out.

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Diotomaceous earth - and it does have to be food grade.  You can get it on Amazon.  The stuff they use in pool filters has chemicals in it, so make sure it is food grade.

Careful spreading it, as it is very fine and easy to breath in.  You can put it on carpets but use it sparingly and not often - it kills vacuums, too!

Ondine said:

 
Diotomaceous earth - and it does have to be food grade.  You can get it on Amazon.  The stuff they use in pool filters has chemicals in it, so make sure it is food grade.

Careful spreading it, as it is very fine and easy to breath in.  You can put it on carpets but use it sparingly and not often - it kills vacuums, too!

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It is the fossilized hard shells of algae. The edges of it are sharp, but since it is microscopic, it gets into everything and cuts it up like finely ground glass.  Best way I know of to torture fleas.

What a wonderful variety of ideas!  I am going to do some homework on Diotomaceous earth--this isn't the first time I've heard it mentioned; seems to be one of those miracle substances like activated charcoal or colloidal silver.  I'll also look into price differences/clinical trials of Advantage vs. Revolution, and ask my vet about promos and discounts.  Unfortunately, I live in an apartment with 2 other people and 2 birds.  I can't undress until I get to the bathroom, and I can't use any sort of household flea treatment that releases fumes or any sort of toxic dust, as birds are extremely sensitive to such.  I probably should have mentioned that before.

I did some looking around, to find that Revolution is expensive everywhere--it's not much cheaper from online stores.  In most cases, shipping makes it MORE expensive than getting it from the vet.  I wonder when Pfizer's patent expires and there'll be a generic.  Right now I'm guessing my best bet would be to wash my clothes and shower immediately after getting home from the house of a client whom I suspect to be harboring fleas, and keep applying a spot-on flea preventative to Rufus like clockwork, once a month.  I keep a clean house--garbage out promptly, vacuuming and dusting frequently, pet and people bedding laundered frequently, etc.  I hate having carpet, knowing the filth it can harbor deep down in its fibers and padding, but I can't do anything about ours, as we're renters.

Thanks everyone for the input, I see I have several ways to go and things to do!

It can take a long time to fully rid the house and pet of fleas though, so patience and determination are very good things to practice. The frequent vacuuming frequently and washing bedding will also help tremendously.

I use an all natural spray around my house and doorways..  It is by Natural Chemistry- Natural Flea & Tick Spray (they make it for dogs and cats- but it is the same)  It is not harmful to people or animals.  Please be aware though, they do make one with chemicals in it.  It is a Botanical Formula containing Clove Oil and Cinnamon Oil, Cedar Wood Oil, and some other stuff that is all natural..It smells good and I use it on furniture, our bedding and on the pets.

In the Summer months I also give them Brewers Yeast & Garlic Tablets- it makes their blood bitter and all bugs usually leave them alone.

I do private rescue, adoptions and house 12 permanent resident cats and also large and x-large Snow/Mountain breed dogs with 2 permanent  dog residents with long coats (So Yes tons of hair - all the time).  I only ever had a flea problem about 15yrs ago - and I have been using this ever since with no problems.  I also live in the country with tons of critters and bugs and with the mild winters we have been having in my area- the bugs don't get killed off..Ticks are in abundance in my area, I would also assume the fleas could be bad too...I know I can bring them in myself on my pants- just from being outside.

Another big thing- I have all hardwood floors and stone floors- so this also helps with the bug situation- there really is no where for them to hide (like in carpet).

Better still, buy a SINGLE vial of Extra Large Dog Advantage (on eBay for $16-$18) and use a 1 ml. syringe to measure out the appropriate dose, 0.4 ml for cats 2-9 lbs and 0.8 ml. for cats larger than that.

If you buy Advantage II for cats (exactly the same formula as for dogs, dosed by weight of animal, not species), you will pay 10 times as much as if you buy it in the largest vial available.  A single cat dose is 0.4 ml, and a single extra large dog dose is 4.0 ml, ten times as much, so one of the extra large size vials contains 10 average cat doses of 5 large cat doses.

Yes, my vet has approval from Advantage to sell the dog Advantage to multiple cat owners and it comes with a syringe and a bottle to store the extra. I snip the top of the bottle and stick the syringe in it and suck out the dosage. All but one of the cats is over 9 pounds.  One tube of the dog Advantage covers about 5.5 9 lb + weight cats.  Much more cost effective.

Also you could try sprinkling salt on the carpet and work in. Wait 2 days and then vacuum. The salt dehydrates the fleas.

my first cat Jasper had one so I use flea tube to kill flea it work for me .. but he passed away due bladder infection .. now I have another cat name Meeko he got first flea when he was before 9 weeks old so my mom give him a bath to kill all fleas then after that so far no flea on my cat for 2 years no fleas .. I dont know how I did that and i must be good take care of my cat no fleas .. weeks ago my cat's vet did check and told me no fleas wow it surprised me no fleas for 2 years

You can go to an SPCA in your area and get Activyl.  I got two new 6 week old kitties which evidently had fleas but I did not discover the problem until they were 4 months old.  They were passed on to my other 7 cats.  I contacted Great Plains SPCA in Kansas where I do volunteer work.  They gave me 9 doses for $85.  The offer is buy 6 get 1 free.  One application for each cat got rid of the fleas immediately.  I understand your dedication to your vet as I am with mine.  But if they can't match what you can get at a lesser price then don't feel guilty.  I am getting the new ones spayed and neutered at the SPCA for more than half the price of what my vet would charge.

Kaos8 said:

I use an all natural spray around my house and doorways..  It is by Natural Chemistry- Natural Flea & Tick Spray (they make it for dogs and cats- but it is the same)  It is not harmful to people or animals.  Please be aware though, they do make one with chemicals in it.  It is a Botanical Formula containing Clove Oil and Cinnamon Oil, Cedar Wood Oil, and some other stuff that is all natural..It smells good and I use it on furniture, our bedding and on the pets.
In the Summer months I also give them Brewers Yeast & Garlic Tablets- it makes their blood bitter and all bugs usually leave them alone.

I do private rescue, adoptions and house 12 permanent resident cats and also large and x-large Snow/Mountain breed dogs with 2 permanent  dog residents with long coats (So Yes tons of hair - all the time).  I only ever had a flea problem about 15yrs ago - and I have been using this ever since with no problems.  I also live in the country with tons of critters and bugs and with the mild winters we have been having in my area- the bugs don't get killed off..Ticks are in abundance in my area, I would also assume the fleas could be bad too...I know I can bring them in myself on my pants- just from being outside.

Another big thing- I have all hardwood floors and stone floors- so this also helps with the bug situation- there really is no where for them to hide (like in carpet).

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Please be very careful with the products you are using on your cats. Many essential oils, including those you listed, are toxic to cats. Garlic, either in a single large dose small doses over time, can cause a type of anemia that is frequently fatal for cats.

Hi GoldyCat- I know there seems to be a lot of controversy on some of the essential oils and garlic- however, it is mixed.  My vet has approved these and I have been using these products for over 15yrs without any issues.  All of my kitties have lived without issues (except from a salmonella poisoning from high end cat food 2yrs ago- in which I lost 2 cats)...My cats usually live to be about 19-21yrs old..My 21yr old was seriously hit with the salmonella poisoning and my vet could not believe that she was 21yrs old- she still was very active, took care of herself and played like a young cat- until salmonella complications- that literally killed her in a matter of days...I have no doubt she would still be alive today if it were not for the Salmonella incident.  So, I am well aware of the studies on various products/herbs and remedies.. I have worked with animals in various fields of the animal world for a very long time- and it seriously varies as to what is dangerous and what is not.  Also, all things I do are in moderation..I am not pouring clove oil on my cats or dogs, nor, am I feeding them raw garlic- there is a big difference.  I know that these products work for me and my animals and I would suggest anyone who is leary of these products to talk to their veterinarian and do some research, also watch you pets with the product to make sure they do not have a reaction... The products I use are pet products and made for cats/dogs- and in many cases made for farm animals and people by the same companies (just cheaper if you buy the farm animal product).   I know many of the flea/tick products chemicals that are being discussed in this thread- have actually harmed or killed pets in the recent past- due to contamination and bad batches...so pet owners have to be very leary of those, as well.  According to my veterinarian there are "fakes" of many of these products being made- and being sold..The only safe place to purchase is a veterinarian or if you have contacts at the company that produces it.  In any case- no matter what you choose to do as a pet owner- one has to be aware of any side effects and keep a watchful eye- to ensure that there are no issues- whether it be food (high ends and grocery store brands) or any kind of medications (homeopathic or pharmaceutical).  I have learned after my Salmonella incident to not only read labels (which I always did) but to do research on every product I buy for my pets.  I no longer use any of the food that was involved in this recall (over 130 food formulas from many many high end food companies- not made in the same place- but all packaged in the same packing plants)  ... So research, research, research... for a happy, healthy pet.