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Cats/fleas on a kitten.

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Expert: - 2/2/2009


Question
My kitten is 10 weeks old and has a few fleas. I understand that most OTC treatments are not reccomended on kittens under 12 weeks. I use a flea comb but the problem is his long hair. He seems to be fairly scrawny even though his food bowl is decimated daily ( he is extremely active and playful though). My question is would a flea dip be advisable for him? Maybe Advantage if I dont use the entire tube?

Answer
Chris,

Fleas are a big deal in such a young kitten. You are correct about OTC flea treatments not being recommended for kittens under 12 weeks, in fact I generally don't recommend them at all because they aren't as tightly regulated as prescription products and there's no guarantee that they've been properly handled up until the point that they go on a retail shelf. Your vet will be able to provide the appropriate treatment for this kitty's age and weight to get rid of any fleas before they cause serious health problems such as anemia. Since you mention that your kitten has a hearty appetite and he's a bit on the thin side it's possible that he has intestinal parasites, your vet can safely treat these and then your kitten should grow and put on weight just as he normally would have had he been treated for worms before now. Most kittens are born with worms and there are several broad spectrum dewormers that will kill all types of worms. It may be worth checking out prescription products that kill fleas and worms in the same dose, I believe a few of the prescription topical flea remedies do this(Revolution if I recall will kill mites, worms and fleas, but it's dispensed by weight so it's necessary to visit your vet).

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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