Advantage burned off my cat's fur?

taterpringalls

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My cat is about 16 years old and is severely allergic to fleas, so I have to give her flea medicine every month or so. She was biting and scratching herself more than usual, so I gave her a dose of Advantage less than a week or so (it had been about a month and a half since she last had it.)
Now her skin is really raw and looks like it has been burned where I put the medicine (between her shoulder blades) and her fur is gone from that spot. I put it on the exact same way I have been doing it for the last 10 years since I've had her, so I don't see why this time would be any different.
Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, any advice?
I'm not really sure if I should be worried or not...
 

stephenq

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My cat is about 16 years old and is severely allergic to fleas, so I have to give her flea medicine every month or so. She was biting and scratching herself more than usual, so I gave her a dose of Advantage less than a week or so (it had been about a month and a half since she last had it.)
Now her skin is really raw and looks like it has been burned where I put the medicine (between her shoulder blades) and her fur is gone from that spot. I put it on the exact same way I have been doing it for the last 10 years since I've had her, so I don't see why this time would be any different.
Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, any advice?
I'm not really sure if I should be worried or not...
 Unless we or an animal is born with an allergy, most allergies have a starting point and yours appears to have had hers.  I certainly woudn't use advantage again and I would consult a vet before trying on of the other spot on treatments.  You might want to consider Capstar, which is an oral med and very different, but must be given daily.
 

stephenq

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You could also use Program, a once a month pull that prevents fleas from replicating. It's very safe just an enzyme that prevents replication. That is assuming you still have a flea problem.
 

chromium blues

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Three of our foster kittens (Winnifred, Noah, and Rupert) had a reaction to the Advantage. Noah had it the worst, with a massive dollar-sized scab right where we put the drops. We had to slather him in polysporin and dress him up in a sock for quite some time. The next time he needed treatment (they all had lice), we used Revolution and the veterinarian dosed it right to their individual weights.
 

sarah ann

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I like Revolution but it can sometimes cause hair loss. I also dose directly according to the cats weight. I use an insulin syringe to draw up the exact dosage, cut off the needle and squirt it directly on the cat.

I would avoid Frontline as it may cause burns too. It caused my cat's skin to turn red and irritated.

I have not had any problems with Revolution so far! And my cat is very sensitive and allergic to everything under the sun.
 

declawedcassy

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Sorry your kitty got burnt from the chemical applied. Theory only...my three dogs and three cats have not had a flea in 10 years, and I live in flea country. They eat healthy food, which makes their immune systems healthy which makes for -0- fleas. Fleas and diseases attack an animal or human for that matter, with unhealthy immune systems. Before I knew better, we had an infestation of fleas, I was feeding them run of the mill food, as advertised. To get rid of the fleas in the carpets I sprinkled table salt and borax and vacumed the next day, it was broomed in first, and the pets who had the fleas got washed with soap and water. The dogs only got sprayed with a tea tree and water solution. Couple of drops of tea tree into a big spray bottle. There are a ton of fleas where I live, deer, squirrel, rabbit, bear probably help bring them here. Soap and water drowns fleas. I spent a little extra on Small Company food. The extra money spent on good food is saved by not buying poison flea products and veterinarian visits. Good dry food with human canned food for both dogs and cats. I have a cat who is 16 and healthy, she loves her tuna. My dog eat cheap canned stew. All are the picture of health. I sometimes add ground vitamins. Flax seed, and the get table scraps. I refuse to poison my fur children.
 

slykat12

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Sorry your kitty got burnt from the chemical applied. Theory only...my three dogs and three cats have not had a flea in 10 years, and I live in flea country. They eat healthy food, which makes their immune systems healthy which makes for -0- fleas. Fleas and diseases attack an animal or human for that matter, with unhealthy immune systems. Before I knew better, we had an infestation of fleas, I was feeding them run of the mill food, as advertised. To get rid of the fleas in the carpets I sprinkled table salt and borax and vacumed the next day, it was broomed in first, and the pets who had the fleas got washed with soap and water. The dogs only got sprayed with a tea tree and water solution. Couple of drops of tea tree into a big spray bottle. There are a ton of fleas where I live, deer, squirrel, rabbit, bear probably help bring them here. Soap and water drowns fleas. I spent a little extra on Small Company food. The extra money spent on good food is saved by not buying poison flea products and veterinarian visits. Good dry food with human canned food for both dogs and cats. I have a cat who is 16 and healthy, she loves her tuna. My dog eat cheap canned stew. All are the picture of health. I sometimes add ground vitamins. Flax seed, and the get table scraps. I refuse to poison my fur children.
I disagree with this post in part. Some I will not address, but this part, I will as it pertains to the OP-Fleas do not choose an unhealthy or compromised host. Fleas choose the closest available healthy host. If you have some scientific data supporting your claim I would love to see it. 

OP I'm curious why you are treating so much is your kitty an indoor/outdoor kitty? Do u even need to treat anymore?  Whatever you are doing you are doing well . 16 is a great milestone!
 
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jcat

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chromium blues

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We had a kitten last year who had been adopted from a local "rescue." The womyn who adopted him knew we did cat rescue and wanted an opinion on the kitten as she was concerned about him. The frail, emaciated, underage kitten was covered - COVERED - in lice. We managed to get hold of the "rescue" and she said he could not possibly have lice as he had been treated with tea tree oil. Needless to say, he was bathed that night and off to the veterinarian the next day for proper treatment.
 

declawedcassy

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First I have said the word theory...as This is my experience...second I said a few drops of tea tree in a big spray bottle filled with water. Third...that flea medicine is more poisonous than a moderate dose of tea tree and water sprayed on a dog. I am not lazy and bathe my animals instead of dumping chemicals on them monthly
 

Ashleyness

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So people that use flea meds are lazy? I don’t think that comment was meant to be rude to you. The way I took it as they were trying to warn you so you know and don’t hurt your pets on accident. But comment like you’re not lazy and you bathe your pets instead of dumping chemicals on them is rude!
 

laura mae

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Well, completely questionable advice aside, it could be that your cat has developed a sensitivity to the particular flea treatment. It would be good to ask your vet about different options.

As for a flea free home, there are things that help alleviate fleas, but they are a vexing and persistent problem. My vet said that anytime a human goes outside, a flea can hitch a ride and all the efforts you make to eradicate them can go by the wayside.

Information is WIDELY AVAILABLE that tea tree oil is harmful and potentially very harmful to cats (as would be any essential oil as well). Judgy self-righteousness is harmful to forming dialog, on the other hand.
 
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