Flea Away

Has anyone used Flea Away for their cats? I started using it this week. I gave my kitty half doses each day instead of the full pill. I mixed it into his food. He was fine all week but last night and today had several loose stools and today after lunch he threw up his meal. Now he is sleepy and affectionate and his nose is pale

If I offer him food, he will eat it. It seems that despite his troubles, his appetite is intact. I have him on Orijen Cat & Kitten food. And he gets wet food each day that is not the grocery store processed stuff. I haven't changed it at all or done anything different except the Flea Away. The only other thing I can think of would be if he figured out how to get in the garbage without knocking it over but that's a stretch!

I read all about the Flea Away stuff and it's nothing more than vitamins and brewers yeast. Apparently, it has to build up in the system before it really starts to work so I was thinking maybe it's building up in his system and maybe his system just doesn't like it but I couldn't find any reviews saying their cats experienced the same thing.

For now I'm just keeping an eye on him. He is drinking plenty of water. The runny poo seems to have stopped. He is resting now.

I stay away from those types of supplements. They are not proven and not tested/regulated. Plus, in my quick search, most reviews were directed towards dogs. I fully understand wanting to avoid harsh chemicals but it sounds like it isn't agreeing with your cat.

What can I do for him? I found four fleas on him and I don't know what to do since he isn't old enough or big enough for a good preventative.

BugsyBaby said:

Has anyone used Flea Away for their cats? I started using it this week. I gave my kitty half doses each day instead of the full pill. I mixed it into his food. He was fine all week but last night and today had several loose stools and today after lunch he threw up his meal. Now he is sleepy and affectionate and his nose is pale

If I offer him food, he will eat it. It seems that despite his troubles, his appetite is intact. I have him on Orijen Cat & Kitten food. And he gets wet food each day that is not the grocery store processed stuff. I haven't changed it at all or done anything different except the Flea Away. The only other thing I can think of would be if he figured out how to get in the garbage without knocking it over but that's a stretch!

I read all about the Flea Away stuff and it's nothing more than vitamins and brewers yeast. Apparently, it has to build up in the system before it really starts to work so I was thinking maybe it's building up in his system and maybe his system just doesn't like it but I couldn't find any reviews saying their cats experienced the same thing.

For now I'm just keeping an eye on him. He is drinking plenty of water. The runny poo seems to have stopped. He is resting now.

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Flea Away is only a collection of vitamins and everything else that is "natural" except the kitchen sink.  There is nothing that would kill fleas, the manufacturers claim that somehow this collection of "natural" items will repel fleas. 

I am a human doctor, not a veterinarian, but in my opinion you are right and should continue to cease Flea Away and see how your cat goes. I don't think that there is anything in it that is particularly dangerous, but some vitamins in large quantities may make the cat feel unwell. However if the cat remains sick, then you should consult your veterinarian . 

While writing this, I see that you have had a post from @Kieka.  I agree entirely with this post - you should stay away from so called "natural" remedies, they are not medically recognised and, like Flea Away, they are put together by those who have no medical knowledge and the substances that they sell can cause side effects.  Some have some medical value, but there is no guarantee that the substances will have a curative effect on what is actually causing the specific illness.

I note that Flea Away claim that the contents of the tablets have to be 'built up' before it will work. This is very useful indeed for the manufacturers who sell the stuff as 'building up' means that you sell more Flea Away..

I also feel strongly about people trying such treatments as homeopathy, which has definitely been proven by trials to be no better than a placebo and, if used for disease, allows the disease to run its course unchecked.  Homeopathy is often recommended for cats, but I believe the effect is also no better than a placebo and that there is no place for it in feline medicine, even if recommended by so-called 'holistic' vets.   

My opinion, by the way, for those misguided souls who do not agree with me, is based on experience gained in my 62 years of the practice of medicine, quite apart from the controlled trials.

With all best wishes for you and your cat,

Geoffrey

BugsyBaby said:

What can I do for him? I found four fleas on him and I don't know what to do since he isn't old enough or big enough for a good preventative.

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I suggest that you consult your veterinarian as soon as possible, that is what veterinarians are there for.

With best wishes,..

Geoffrey

BugsyBaby said:

What can I do for him? I found four fleas on him and I don't know what to do since he isn't old enough or big enough for a good preventative.

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How old and big is he?

At the very least you can give him a bath with Dawn dishsoap, brush him with a flea comb, and clean your home thoroughly. Then contact your vet for treatments that wpuld be suitable for his age and size.

Before all these fancy anti-flea treatments we groomed our animals every day with a flea comb.  Give it a try!

Thank you all for replying. While I feel some condescension in some of the comments, I appreciate the advice. He is 4 months old and weighs about four pounds. I bought the Flea Away because I trust the pet food store that sells it. The store is reputable for selling brands of food known and lines of products known to be healthy and good. I bathe and groom him regularly. He will be combed daily from now on, thank you for that. I will also do the Dawn bath. I have pest control maintaining my home each month and I will ask if they do indoors for fleas as well.

He is currently feeling better. A little more playful. The runs seem to have run their course and he is holding food down. Ill be taking that stuff back to store and letting them know what happened.

One more thing. How can I tell if a product is recognized medically as effective or that it has been proven?

Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have learned a lot. I honestly didn't know natural stuff could be harmful. I mean it's natural so one would assume it must be safe. Huge learning experience for me today.

One reason many of us are cautious about recommending over the counter flea products is because of your kitten's age and because we have had many posts on TCS from owners who have tried over the counter flea treatments and had very serious, sometimes fatal, results. The absolute best thing you can do is to discuss this with your vet prior to application. In the meantime, try the Dawn combing treatment, or even a bath using blue Dawn. It really does work, especially on little ones.  One other thing you'll need to seek a vet's advice on is tapeworm deworming since he has fleas. He will most likely need a regular deworming treatment as well, just because most kittens have parasites.

I didn't realize there was a difference between the stuff the vet gives and the stuff I can buy at the store. This is good to know. Thank you.

BugsyBaby said:

Thank you all for replying. While I feel some condescension in some of the comments, I appreciate the advice. He is 4 months old and weighs about four pounds. I bought the Flea Away because I trust the pet food store that sells it. The store is reputable for selling brands of food known and lines of products known to be healthy and good. I bathe and groom him regularly. He will be combed daily from now on, thank you for that. I will also do the Dawn bath. I have pest control maintaining my home each month and I will ask if they do indoors for fleas as well.

He is currently feeling better. A little more playful. The runs seem to have run their course and he is holding food down. Ill be taking that stuff back to store and letting them know what happened.

One more thing. How can I tell if a product is recognized medically as effective or that it has been proven?

Again, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have learned a lot. I honestly didn't know natural stuff could be harmful. I mean it's natural so one would assume it must be safe. Huge learning experience for me today.

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I am pleased that your kitten has improved. 

The only way to know whether a product is medically safe is when it is advised, or prescribed, by a veterinarian  - who will also advise you on possible side effects or reactions.  You certainly cannot trust the product's manufacturer.

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey

What Geoffery said.

There isn't a way to know something is safe without checking with your vet first. There isn't a good recognized certifying board for cat medications or treatments outside of vets. Even then, the biological differences between cats and dogs are years behind what they should be. For a long time they were treated the same but there are some differences so be wary of someone who says it was good for a dog but never tried it on a cat.

When it comes to all natural, even in humans, be wary. There are a lot of all natural posions out there that can kill you. First, there isn't a way to verify things are all natural because there is no agreed upon definition of "all natural". Is it all natural because it is from naturally occuring sources or because it is minimally processed? When does a potato stop being all natural and become a fried over processed hash brown at McDonalds? Most of the time when you see that term it is a gimmick. Second, just because something would be considered all natural by most resonable people when does it become harmful? There are "all natural" and "herbal" weight loss supplements for humans that have seriously injuried or even killed people. Often times it is just people taking more than they should but there also are people who just react poorly to specific combinations of plants and herbs. The same thing can happen with animals but there is even less research and oversight there.

I am sorry if you felt jumped on about it. People on here are passionate about their cats and we've seen how often it can go horribly wrong when someone tries something not vet approved to treat problems. Especially flea treatments.

When it comes to fleas, only do what your vet recommends. Trying to save money with alternative or off brand treatments will often times lead to pain and heartbreak.