You are here:

Cats/kitten

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/20/2010


Question
I found a kitten who was infested with fleas so we dipped her now she is twitching what does this mean

Answer
Hi Kellie,

It sounds like your kitten is having an adverse neurological reaction to the dip.  Take a handwashing dish soap like Palmolive or Dawn and wash the kitten with it and warm water immediately.  Then bring it to the nearest vet.

Kittens can't be dipped in flea dip until they're a certain age and weight, and even once they reach a certain age, many of them are still sensitive.  Some flea dips are also for use on dogs only, and they can kill cats.  Please read the packaging on the flea dip carefully to determine whether it's appropriate to use on a kitten.  It's often safer to wash a kitten with a dish soap like I mentioned above to get rid of fleas, and comb any surviving fleas out with a flea comb.  Advantage or Frontline can be applied when the kitten is 8 weeks old.

Best wishes,
Jessica  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.