Help my cat...

**green_the_fish** · 09-09-2005, 01:47 PM

Hi everyone. I was wondering if one of you cat lovers could help me and my kitty out here.

I have this sweet, young kitty named Tiger. I used to take him to my former step-sister's house to interact with her cats, but now that she's moving, I had to find other cats for him to have contact with. My friend Ash and her family keep cats, so I took him there. Once I was there, Ashly told me that she suspected that one of her cats may have the fleas! I was worred, but I guess I thought that Tiger might luck out and not get 'em.
Well, I was wrong. A few days after I came home from Ash's house, my mother noticed that poor little Tiger had the fleas

We went to PetCo right away and bought him one of those flea-killing shampoos. It was really hard to wash him. He struggled, bit, scratched, and wailed the whole time. Over a dozen fleas washed out, though.
We've been watching him since, and he's been acting different. He used to run about and dive at our feet, but lately he just doesn't seem to have any energy. My mother is worried that he may have gotten a cold, since we got him all wet to wash him. I think that he's angry at us for washing him, and that he's in pain from his old flea-bites.
Has anyone been in this situation before? Why is my Tiger sad?

**Dixiefireball** · 09-09-2005, 02:02 PM

Yes after my cats and kittens got a flea bath the little ones got a cold I had to take them to the vet to get some PNC meds to help them over come it.
I found out from the vet across the street the best thing to get is the flea stuff from the vet that you drop on the back of there necks so they can't lick it. it drys quickly. it also kills ticks. I don't like my cats to be around other cats because you don't know what is wrong with them they could have colds that your cat may catch or any other type of disease your cat can catch. I know he may seem lonely but cats are just happy with us humans to love them to keep them company.
hope this helps.
Rhonda

**MarthaB** · 09-09-2005, 03:10 PM

hi, i agree with rhonda, i don't have a cat, but a dog, and i use the same stuff she is talking about, you put it somewhere between the shoulder blades, they cannot reach that part, and lick it off, the stuff i use is called 'frontline', but in the US it is probleby called something else, martha

**trytosmile** · 09-10-2005, 01:11 AM

I agree, the bath may have given it the cold.

Have you tried Advantage for fleas. I use for both my dog and cat as a preventative and they have never had them. There are different kinds you can get, some are a one time shot others are a drop of liquid that you put on the back of their neck, once a month for 6 months.

**dancemomof2** · 09-10-2005, 01:29 AM

I also have dog no cats, but use the drops. The Advantage works on fleas only, the Frontline kills fleas and tick. The also make a tablet called Capstar that will kill any live fleas within 30 minute so the drops can take effect. Good Luck with your new found itchy friends. I would say kitty is pouting at you but a call to the vet would ease your mind.

***Sarojini*** · 09-10-2005, 01:59 AM

I have a cat, and the best flea stuff is Advantage for Cats -- once a month, you squeeze a tube of it high on the back of Kitty's neck so he can't lick it, and it absorbs from there.

The flea medications in preparations sold at pet stores can actually be toxic to cats -- I would take your Kitty to the vet and make sure that is not happening. In addition, have him checked for a cold and an allergic reaction to either previous flea bites or the shampoo. Your vet can prescribe some meds to help with all of this. While there, ask your vet to buy some Advantage for the future. You can also order it online at http://www.drsfostersmith.com ... it's a veterinary supply site.

**green_the_fish** · 09-14-2005, 12:13 PM

UPDATE: It seems Tiger was just pouting at us for washing him. He's all back to his normal, playful self now

Oh, and thanks for the tips about the Advantage stuff. I'll keep that in mind if the poor guy ever gets fleas again.

**monica78** · 09-16-2005, 03:18 PM

hey fishy, I have had my cat for 12 years now. When we bought our new house the previous owner had a cat that was an inside and outside cat. There were fleas everywhere in the house. My cat got really sick like moping around, not eating right, and pulling her hair out by the handfuls from scratching. I took her to the vet to see
what was wrong. The vet tested her and said she had tapeworms. If a cat bites
and swallows the fleas it will cause tapeworms. He gave her some shots and some pills to take and she was better soon. If you see anything strange in the cat's behavior
you better take him to the vet. I hope your cat is better soon!

**rhea** · 09-16-2005, 06:31 PM

As the mother of 5 cats, 2 dogs, 1 squirrel I STRONGLY reccomend Advantage. We lve in FL and I have never had a problem with fleas since I started using it. If your kitty gets fleas again if you put the advanage on it the fleas and the eggs will die off in 2-3 days. The bathing does not kill the eggs. Good luck.

**TabbiH** · 09-17-2005, 03:20 PM

Advantage is great. We got fleas very mysteriously- the vet thinks probably the new neighbor in the apartment next to us brought them when she moved in with her cat. You also need to treat the apartment initially, washing everything and spraying. Advantage is very safe for old cats and cats with chronic health problems. Haven't had any problems since we started using it. And they will adjust to regular bathing too (the cats, not the fleas).