Foster Kittens Have Fleas

Hi, 

I made this account for this topic and I'm searching for advice. I have fostered kittens twice and both times I have had a bad experience.

I foster kittens from TCR, Trenton Cats Rescue. The first time, the five kittens and mother had ringworm. My daughter actually contracted it as well. We loved the kittens so we kept it anyways and gave them ointment and medication. However, before fostering our second group my family mentioned several times we would prefer to foster healthy kittens. (Some must exist, right?) This time, we received kittens with fleas. Many. It was simple to find the fleas, just between the back legs. Yet before we took them home the shelter told us they were extremely healthy since they had been bottle fed. 

These kittens have grown on me, but I fear yet another case like the ringworm one. Is it wrong of me to give them to another more experienced foster home? Also, do the majority of shelter kittens have some sort of illness? Is this shelter a bad one/not the norm?

How can I relieve the kittens of their misery right now? The shelter is taking them back next Wednesday. I already gave them two baths for each kitten. (Last one was today, first time was last Sunday when we got them.) I sadly say I am not experienced in the least of taking care of kittens with fleas. I have no flea comb or flea treatment. 

How old are the kittens?  Ar you bathing them in Dawn?

Handsome Kitty said:

 
How old are the kittens?  Ar you bathing them in Dawn?

Click to expand...

They are 6 weeks old and yes, I used Dawn dish soap. I know the bath wasn't long enough to drown the fleas though, they kept squirming out. I watched a few videos to help me bathe them, but I don't think it helped the fleas much. I dried them off with a towel and kept them in the cage. No air conditioning/drafts and the room had plenty of sun. I know how easily kittens can be chilled.

Many shelter kittens are there because they are rescues, and had a poor start in life from a stray mom, so they tend to have worms and fleas. This does not make it a bad shelter.

The kittens really need a couple of drops of Advantage II flea treatment on the back of their necks to kill the fleas.

You should call the shelter and ask if you can pick up some from them. They should keep flea treatment on hand.

Thank you for fostering these kittens and giving them a chance in life.