Confused about Flea & Tick (& etc.) Meds

poppy0109 · Oct 7, 2014

I've been reading threads here about what brand of meds to use & not use...but the more I read, the more confused I get. Help please!

My cat Teddy is 1 year 3 months old & he weighs 8.3 lbs. I just took him to the vet. I told them I was taking Teddy outside on a harness & leash & I'm only letting him on the front porch, sidewalk, & parking lot at my condo. I always have a tight grip on the leash. We have alot of squirrels! The vet recommonded Revolution because it protects against worms & earmites too. With everything I've read, I'm scared to use it on Teddy now.

Should I use something else besides Revolution? If I do use it, do I have to use it all year round? If I don't, I have to have him tested for worms before I use it again, correct?

I have used the Apple Cider Vinegar mixture twice. Stinky! But Teddy doesn't mind...he's too excited being outside & he doesn't have fleas (I check him with a flea comb). Does the vinegar mixture really work? How many times should I apply it? Does it only work for fleas?

I DO NOT want Teddy to get sick. I lost Monti to lymphotic fluid in lungs in 12/08 at 3.5 yrs old

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poppy0109
Oct 7, 2014

stephenq · Oct 7, 2014

Poppy0109 said:
I've been reading threads here about what brand of meds to use & not use...but the more I read, the more confused I get. Help please!

My cat Teddy is 1 year 3 months old & he weighs 8.3 lbs. I just took him to the vet. I told them I was taking Teddy outside on a harness & leash & I'm only letting him on the front porch, sidewalk, & parking lot at my condo. I always have a tight grip on the leash. We have alot of squirrels! The vet recommonded Revolution because it protects against worms & earmites too. With everything I've read, I'm scared to use it on Teddy now.

Should I use something else besides Revolution? If I do use it, do I have to use it all year round? If I don't, I have to have him tested for worms before I use it again, correct?

I have used the Apple Cider Vinegar mixture twice. Stinky! But Teddy doesn't mind...he's too excited being outside & he doesn't have fleas (I check him with a flea comb). Does the vinegar mixture really work? How many times should I apply it? Does it only work for fleas?

I DO NOT want Teddy to get sick. I lost Monti to lymphotic fluid in lungs in 12/08 at 3.5 yrs old

& I lost Poppy to FIP in 09/13

at 4.5 yrs old. I cannot watch Teddy get sick & lose him too.

Here's Teddy outside for the first time. That's as close as I let him get to the landscaping.

He's a beautiful cat. Revolution is very safe. it also protects against heartworm, which is a risk depending on where you live if he goes outside. Heartworm comes from mosquitos so the number of months a year you use it depends on your climate. If you want to really keep him safe, keep him inside, but regardless, a leash is a great safety tool for cars etc, but it doesn't provide mosquito protection.

poppy0109 · Oct 7, 2014

Thank you StephenQ!

Now that he has been outside & loves it, I would like to keep taking him out. & people get a kick out of seeing a cat walk on a leash!

I live in Michigan, so it is already in the low 40's at night. BRRRR!

I am taking him to TN to visit my parents, this month. I think I should give him some Revolution before we go because they have a HUGE tick problem. Though, he will only be allowed on the cement.

stephenq · Oct 8, 2014

Agreed, i would keep him on revolution through that trip to TN. Note it is possible to see fleas on animals that have been treated, it can take a day for them to die and the medication doesn't prevent them from getting on the cat in the first place. TN has a heart worm problem, another reason to use revolution.

Keeping him on a leash is a great idea

You can also find outdoor cat pens suitable for a backyard at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/cat-supplies/carriers-crates-and-pens/ps/c/3261/28595

poppy0109 · Oct 8, 2014

Actually, I bought him this octagon pen http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+28595+22277&pcatid=22277

but he just kept meowing his head off until I took him out of it & put him on my lap. Then I got the idea to try to put him on a leash. He still meows at me, but it's more of a "I'm enjoying this" meow than a "Let me out of this thing NOW" meow. LOL! Teddy is a big talker!

& I will make sure to use the Revolution before I go to TN.

bigperm20 · Oct 8, 2014

Poppy0109 said:
Actually, I bought him this octagon pen http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+28595+22277&pcatid=22277

but he just kept meowing his head off until I took him out of it & put him on my lap. Then I got the idea to try to put him on a leash. He still meows at me, but it's more of a "I'm enjoying this" meow than a "Let me out of this thing NOW" meow. LOL! Teddy is a big talker!

& I will make sure to use the Revolution before I go to TN.

Did your parents move to TN for GM? I live in Nashville, btw.

momofmaxwell · Oct 8, 2014

My late Maxwell walked on a harness for 15 years.he thought he was a dog.he went camping with us every year in our trailer.I lost him this april to Cancer.He loved it.First couple of years He walked me but then he would walk at heal like a dog.He was my Doggie Kitt.Didn't mind the rain so he had slickers as well as a winter parka and other coats.Lol I bought him a hat and he said "Not" to that

poppy0109 · Oct 9, 2014

bigperm20:

It's the exact opposite. My dad worked for GM & retired to TN.

MomofMaxwell:

I'm sorry for your loss. How fun to take the cat camping! & I bet he looked so cute in his coats. I let Teddy walk me. We go where he wants to go.

bigperm20 · Oct 9, 2014

Poppy0109 said:
bigperm20:

It's the exact opposite. My dad worked for GM & retired to TN.

I see. I've met so many Michigan transplants that followed GM here, I just assumed. I can't say that I blame your Dad. TN winters are cold, but nothing like Michigan. Brrr!

My Dad worked indirectly for GM. He's retired from Allied Freight Carriers. He hauled cars for GM out of Spring Hill, still lives there too.

bigperm20 · Oct 9, 2014

Oh I forgot. As far as revolution goes. I've heard it's actually much safer than the other flea meds in terms of side effects.

I've used it before and had no issues. We have an ear mite problem here in TN, so it would be a good choice.

Confused about Flea & Tick (& etc.) Meds

poppy0109

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stephenq

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bigperm20

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momofmaxwell

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