How I Almost Killed My Cat
In an effort to get the fleas off my cat, I applied a dose of an over the counter flea treatment. I mistakenly applied the tube intended for my dog, and for the following three days was not sure if my cat would survive. Fleas are not only a huge nuisance, but having fleas can affect the health of your pet. You must be careful, however, to take appropriate steps.
Fleas cause illnesses. Some cats have an allergic reaction to fleas caused by the saliva of the flea. It causes the cat to itch. The more they scratch that itch, the more irritate the skin becomes. Eventually they often scratch sores on the skin and sometimes leave spots completely bald. You have to take vigilant action at the first signs of a flea infestation to save your precious kitty from FAD, flea allergic dermatitis and even a bald behind.
Fleas also have the potential of transmitting tapeworms to the cat. The flea larvae ingest tapeworm eggs. Occasionally when the cat grooms, he accidentally swallows a flea containing the tapeworm egg. The egg releases and grows in the stomach of the cat, draining it of valuable nutrients. Feline anemia results and sometimes the damage to the blood cells is so dramatic, the cat dies. Checking for tapeworms isn’t fun but it may be necessary if you notice your cat losing weight. You simply look at the anus of the cat for rice shaped particles or if they attach to each other, they appear in longer segments.
PREVENTION. The best way to prevent fleas is to get a product through your vet. Do not apply over the counter applications from the grocery store. Vets report that they regularly have to treat cats for bad reactions to these products, sometimes with a fatal reaction. Never apply any product to a young kitten.
Regular grooming, including the use of a flea comb, will help you remove any fleas that have found the way onto your cat. This can be a relaxing time for you and your cat; simply comb and keep a cup with soapy water near by to drown any little buggers you find. One natural remedy you can try is mixing one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into your cats water. The smell that it will create through your cats skin over time is said to repel fleas and ticks.
Another method of removing fleas is the use of apple cider. You can mix it with their drinking water and as the vinegar smell leaves through the pores of the cat’s skin, the fleas jump off too. This is also good if your cat to deter ticks. Pills from the veterinarian also help the cats get rid of fleas. Prevention, however, is the best method of keeping your cat free from fleas. Treating the yard for fleas is one way to keep outside cats safer from the hungry insects.
The hardest ordeal I experienced was removing the fleas in my carpeting. I attempted everything! Not one thing succeeded, however the great news is the most cost efficient solution in the end gave me results. Simply combine half table salt, with half borax in a bag (laundry soap contains borax), apply it to your carpeting and any fabric furniture, and let it stand for 24-48 hours and then vacuum. Miraculous. I never spied another flea.
No matter what avenue you take, keeping your feline friend content and healthy is a goal all cat lovers have in common. Following these tips will go a long way to reaching your goal.
David is an expert on pet health and care. Keeping your cat healthy and happy is a responsiblility of every owner. See his site for information on Cat Health. For dog owners see Dog Health.
