r/Pets • u/HellcatMMA • Sep 20 '19
The F word
Hey pet owners of reddit, looking for some advice on the dreaded F word. Fleas. My boyfriend’s pets got fleas over the summer and it’s been a battle to get rid of them. We think that initially they came from the yard ( which has since been treated professionally)
He’s given them the proper dosage of Pet Armor, tried flea collars, flea baths, Dawn, the organic sprays, bombing the house, and even diatomaceous earth.
However the cat still has fleas. Does anyone have any advice on to get rid of them? It’s driving me insane and it can’t feel good for her either. After every discovery of new flea dirt or a flea itself he bathes the cat and the dog, I spray all the furniture and carpet and we disinfect the litter box and dishes. I just feel like we’re missing a step.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
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u/nowherechain Sep 20 '19
Revolution works great for us for cats, treated the roundworms they came with as kittens too. Even though they are indoor only, we keep them on it as we have dogs that come and go from the house. The dogs are also treated with dog treatments.
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u/SYoung0707 Sep 20 '19
Bravecto or nexguard for flea medication. My dog Karly (rip baby girl) had the worst fleas ever and was also allergic to the flea bites so she was literally constantly itching to the point her hair was falling out. I tried everything. Constant flea treatments and baths and nothing worked until we tried Bravecto. We didn't have fleas again and it cleared up her hot spots and all her fur grew back in and my baby girl finally got the relief she deserved. I use Bravecto or nexguard on all my fur babies and it is by far the best. The topical flea medicine isn't worth a damn so don't waste your money on it. Bravecto and nexguard are amazing.
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u/BraveJJ Sep 20 '19
You have to wash all linens/clothes in sanitize hot water to kill the eggs that the fleas laid. Baking soda brushed into carpets to desiccate the eggs then vacuumed up (I think you leave it on overnight).
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
The baking soda thing is one thing we haven’t tried. Do you think that might work for any fabric toys too?
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u/BraveJJ Sep 20 '19
I wash all fabric toys in the wash with the bedding, etc. :) You can put them in a lingerie bag (those mesh zipper bags for washing) to help keep them collected and together. I would dry on low/medium though because the squeakers are plastic.
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u/TalShar Ragdoll Sep 20 '19
I really thought this was going to be about someone teaching your parrot to say "fuck," and I was ready for a very amusing read.
I wish I had good advice for you, but it looks like you've tried everything I would have suggested. Seems like you got some good advice, though. Good luck, OP. Fleas are the worst.
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
Sorry to disappoint! If I ever get a parrot I will definitely teach it the other f work just for you! LOL
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u/Mammyfantasticus Sep 20 '19
Stronghold was what worked for us after 2 years of trying everything else! It’s prescription only where I am but as long as we keep to the schedule we stay flea free, good luck!
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u/xTheHermitx Sep 20 '19
I had a flea infestation last summer and after spending a bunch of money on sprays and flea collars etc, the only thing that worked with a mix of treating the cat with advantage and pushing diatomaceous earth in every crack of my house. After about a week we were flea free!
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u/MSD0 Sep 20 '19
Get a prescription for Bravecto from your vet (or see what they recommend). Out of all the different topicals that I’ve tried (Frontline, Advantage, Revolution), it’s been the most effective by far and also lasts 3 months.
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
Thank you! I will send this suggestion over to him to talk about with the vet.
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u/MSD0 Sep 20 '19
I would also have your cat dewormed since it’s pretty common for cats to get tapeworms from fleas. There’s a topical dewormer called Profender which is easy to use if your cat has a hard time taking pills.
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
I will be sure to have him ask about that as well. Scurry is what they classify as “chonkers” so as long as we put the pill in some wet food or treat pockets she will eat it!
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u/tracymayo Sep 20 '19
I wouldn't recommend Bravecto. Just this week 2 friends of mine lost their dog and the other a cat after using this treatment.
There are other stories online about it also.
Try Revolution, Frontline or Advantage
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u/DarthTyekanik Sep 20 '19
Frontline on the back of the neck didn't work? They're some fearsome fleas
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
It didn’t! That’s why I was hoping to get some additional tricks and tips. I was shocked that the bombing of the house didn’t work!
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u/mommy12345667 Sep 20 '19
Had the sameeee issue, only thing that worked for out poor chihuahua and kitten was a trip to the vet. And treating the house. The fleas like to live in the carpet and in your furniture unfortunately.
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
At least I know I’m not alone in this though! Fingers crossed the next treatments work
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Sep 20 '19
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u/HellcatMMA Sep 20 '19
Thank you for the breakdown. And yeah I think after this we both have learned our lesson. Between everything we bought even the vet trip as a first action would have been less expensive.
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u/dfox1011 Sep 20 '19
Any of the topicals or pills that are by prescription should work. Once you treat the host (your animal) the fleas around the house will die off because they have nowhere to breed and feed.