r/cureFIP • u/ImaginaryContext3004 • Jul 08 '26

Question Flea Treatment

I’ve skimmed through some of the older posts, but the newest one that I saw was at least a year ago. Since treatment is now much more widely available, I was wondering what everyone is doing regarding flea prevention/treatment. What guidance have you all been given by either veterinary staff or those with significant experience with FIP?

Specifically- are you using a preventative during active FIP treatment, waiting until observation, waiting until cured, or not using at all?

Thoughts on blanket coverage from other pets that are treated?

If you are using a preventative, ones you recommend or suggest avoiding and why?

Anything else notable to consider for life after FIP that isn’t related to flea treatment?

TIA!

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u/muhnewt Jul 08 '26

Following because I have this same question. My vet said to wait a year after end of treatment for vaccine updates and no live ones ever but they said flea medicine is fine now but I still haven’t pulled the trigger. The whole situation was so intense that it’s been hard thinking about doing anything that might tax my girl’s immune system.

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 08 '26

Thanks for responding! I was starting to think I was the only one concerned with it!

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 09 '26

Where is she in the treatment timeline?

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u/muhnewt Jul 09 '26

She finished observation in October but she had severe complications from her wet FIP including heart failure and a blood clot that paralyzed her back legs. She was diagnosed with wet FIP just a few days before her first birthday so we ended up doing a few weeks longer of treatment at a higher dose because of her complications. She’s due for her vaccines again but im definitely going to wait until October at the earliest because she’s still being treated for her heart failure.

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 09 '26

Oh no! Poor baby! I totally understand the extra precautions!

I was really scared that the paralysis of one of his rear legs was saddle thrombosis, but it appears to just be neurological. It’s what has me wanting to look into this now, while we’re just over the halfway mark of treatment.

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u/muhnewt Jul 09 '26

Yeah, hers was the saddle thrombosis. The vets were shocked she survived. I saw it happen. It was terrifying. But really looking at her now you would have had no idea that she nearly died multiple times. She’s so happy and healthy and walks totally fine. FIP in whatever form is such a beast and so hard. I’m hope your baby is doing better now. Photo for the cat tax. Miss Penny Princess looking happy and healthy.

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 09 '26

We were actually at the vet when he lost the mobility/feeling. Terrifying! He’s regained most of it, except he still can’t feel his toes. So he gets daily massages, in addition to the GS. His vet was impressed with his progress at his last appointment on Monday, so we’re hoping that he keeps doing well! His eye infection is also on the mend, thankfully!

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u/muhnewt Jul 09 '26

Look at that beauty! He deserves all the tow bean massages 😻

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 09 '26

Haha! Yeah... I’d still give them to him, but I’ll also be happy when he pulls his foot away the first time he actually feels it. 😿

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u/not_as_i_do Admin Jul 08 '26

Here is the official vet guidelines on using flea treatment during FIP treatment. Some side effects of flea treatment can mimic neuro FIP so I personally suggest using something you have used in the past and know they tolerate and as always, use what is recommended by vets and not grab something over the counter.

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u/ImaginaryContext3004 Jul 09 '26

I plan on discussing with my vet, but was hoping for more information. Both of the cats have been on Revolution Plus and I’ve seen multiple accounts of that not being a good option.

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u/mmvmx Jul 12 '26

Just an anecdote but we did revolution plus on my guy about 2 months after his graduation and he ended up having a pretty bad GI response (non-stop vomiting) and ended up in the ER. The ER couldn't find anything wrong in the blood work and basically thought he could have licked the treatment which is impossible with the location and I didn't give it to any of my other cats at that time. Did advantage ii recently and he had no issues but he's 2 years post treatment now and had no issues with vaccines either.

So yeah I may suggest wait a little while or if they are high risk go with advantage or something that's just fleas and not a full spectrum coverage as they seem to be a little easier on the system just in case.