Fleas already?! New owner, please help!

So I've had Bruce for almost 10 days now, and I think he might have fleas!

He was treated with Frontline Plus on May 9th - I adopted him on June 21st.  Over the past 2 days, I've noticed him biting at his hind legs while grooming.  So I decided to inspect, and I noticed a couple of black, peppery-looking flakes...which I assume is flea poo.  I have no other animals and Bruce has not been outside since I brought him home.  How the heck can he have fleas already?!

I'm planning on doing a very thorough vacuum job and also giving him a bath in the coming days.  I can't really afford any expensive OTC flea medications, so I'm wondering if anyone has some low-cost, perhaps even DIY methods to treat fleas?

Any help would be much appreciated! 

Topical flea treatments need to be applied monthly to be effective during summer months, especially if the animal goes outside.  Fleas are also brought inside on your shoes and clothing or by other animals.  They can also come in through cracks in the windows and things like that.  You'll need to treat him again as well as your home to keep the fleas at bay.

stephanietx said:

 
Topical flea treatments need to be applied monthly to be effective during summer months, especially if the animal goes outside.  Fleas are also brought inside on your shoes and clothing or by other animals.  They can also come in through cracks in the windows and things like that.  You'll need to treat him again as well as your home to keep the fleas at bay.

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Any suggestions on topical treatments?

Absolutely NOTHING over the counter!  Get something from the vet and apply.  I use Revolution because it also protects against heartworms and I live in an area very prone to mosquitos.  Frontline, Advantage, and Revolution are the 3 main ones.

If the cat is going to stay in side you can give a single dose (oral) of Capstar which should kill all the fleas in a few hours, but I agree with @stephanietx monthly use of one of those 3 is a good idea.  Some people have been reporting some tolerance to frontline has been developing in recent years but I don't know if that's true or not.

I should mention that Capstar has to be given daily if the cat continues to be exposed to fleas.

One other thing you'll have to treat for is tapeworms.  If your cat has fleas, then tapeworms will follow.

Soooo...treat your house and yard (if you don't live in an apt or rental) for fleas and your guy should be good to go.  You might have to repeat the tapeworm treatment due to the life cycle of the parasite, but usually two, maybe three treatments is all that's needed. 

stephanietx said:

 
Frontline, Advantage, and Revolution are the 3 main ones.

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Eeesh, they're so expensive! 

They are, but you usually get a 6 month supply.  You can actually order online from a reputable pet pharmacy and they're not as expensive.  I order from Drs. Foster & Smith since my vet doesn't usually carry Revolution in the clinic.

stephanietx said:

 
They are, but you usually get a 6 month supply.  You can actually order online from a reputable pet pharmacy and they're not as expensive.  I order from Drs. Foster & Smith since my vet doesn't usually carry Revolution in the clinic.

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Thanks for the tip, I'll check out Foster & Smith!