Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 9/1/2009

Question
Dear Dr. Gotthelf.

I have 3 cats who go in and out of the house all day. I've used Frontline as directed (back of the neck every month), which worked in previous summers, but has not seemed to work as well this summer. I also use a flea collar, also with limited success.

2 of the cats don't seem that bothered by a few remaining fleas, except for occasional scratching. But 1 cat, who is 8 years old, keeps scratching below her neck until she is raw and slightly bloody for almost the last 2 months. Yet she still scratches, despite my putting on her a flea collar. I can't find any fleas when I comb her, except for small specks of black crumbs.

1) Should I still be treating her for fleas after using Frontline monthly as recommended, and a flea collar? If so, what might be the best treatment for cat fleas?
2) How do I keep her from continually scratching herself, so that she may heal below her neck which is raw?
3) All of my 3 cats occasionally scratch in their ear, but I don't know what to look for in their ear, which looks OK, I think.

Sorry if the questions are vague.

Ben

Answer
The black "crumbs" are most likely flea "poops" composed of your cat's dried blood.  Frontline is not the best for cats.  I recommend either Advantage or Revolution for cats.  In an allergic cat one flea bite can set off the allergic reaction.  Ask your vet for a shot of DepoMedrol for this cat to reduce the allergic skin reaction.  Continue your flea control as you are doing.  We never totally eliminate the fleas with these products, but we keep the numbers manageable.