Need Help Getting Rid of Fleas! LONG

[Tigger&Belle]

We brought home 2 kittens on Saturday, only to find we also brought home fleas. Thankfully we always isolate new cats and hopefully the fleas have not spread to the rest of the house, but I'd be surprised if they haven't because they are such pesky creatures.

So I need to figure out a few things. First, the kittens supposedly had Frontline/Advantage (one kitty Frontline, the other Advantage) on 9/2. It should protect them and kill the fleas, but it's not doing that. My vet told me that I should apply Advantage to the kitty that had Frontline in 3 days (so there's 2 weeks between treatments). I'm concerned about the toxicity of 2 treatments so close together. Of course maybe the person applying the treatments the first time didn't get it on them correctly.

Also, the vet told me to use Siphotrol spray in the bathroom where the kittens are staying. She said to remove the kitties before treating and leave them out of that room for a couple hours. I'm concerned about all the chemicals in that spray (she listed about 5 or so active ingredients in the spray--I haven't actually bought it yet).

I'm also concerned about our other animals. Our dogs take Sentinel, so they should be protected. We don't use any flea treatment on our 2 indoor cats, however. The said we should use Anvantage on our cats since there very likely are fleas in the rest of the house. That part makes sense.

I guess if we find fleas in the rest of the house we'll think about bombing the house, but we're not there yet.

I did read that a person can mix salt and baking soda, sprinkle it on the carpet, and after it sits (supposed to sit overnight, but I'm not going to leave it that long this time since I need to keep our other cats out of it) it can be vacuumed up. I did do that on the area of carpet outside of the bathroom where the kittens are staying. I might also remove them to another area and treat the room that they are staying in with the baking soda/salt. Normally, though, I only see fleas when I flea comb the kittens and do not know if they are loose ones in that bathroom.

So, any advice? Can anyone tell me some alternatives that do not involve harsh chemicals? I know that whatever I do needs to be labeled "safe for cats". Any thoughts?

The kittens are 4 months old if that makes a difference.

Thanks, T&B

 

[CheshireVal]

I don't really have any advice for you since I've never had a flea problem with my kitties, but whatever you do, don't use Hartz.

Sad thread

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't really have any advice for you since I've never had a flea problem with my kitties, but whatever you do, don't use Hartz.

Sad thread

Yes, I'd read that thread, which is one of the big reasons that I'm being so cautious with my new furbabies. Very sad!

T&B

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I wonder what a holistic vet would recommend? I know they are expensive. I can't really answer your question but I do know there is a whole segment of population that advocates things other than poison.

I do know that fleas will infest a unhealthy animal (or so holistic folks have been saying, don't know if that is true).
I am sure they also have tapeworms if they have fleas, fyi.

If you find it let us know...

 

[MdmMim]

When our cat was little, he had lots of fleas. Since he was young, our vet did not want to use any insecticide on him, so she suggested that we bathe him in a tiny bit of Dawn dish detergent (an amount less than the size of a dime), rinsing him well. It worked for him. (Yes, due to the fleas, he had worms, too, but this was easily taken care of by the vet.)

Good luck!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

In my research today I did read something about bathing a cat in Dawn (I think it was Dawn--it was some dish soap). I've also read that even baby shampoo will drown the fleas, but Dawn wouldn't hurt. OMG, bathing a cat. LOL I've never done that--thankfully the kittens are little and not too strong.

I have been thinking of finding a holistic vet. Don't know how far I'd have to go to find one, but there must be one around here somewhere. I'll have to do some searching. Our vet isn't too bad and at least listens to me somewhat, like when I wanted her to titre (sp?) the cats before giving them shots last check-up.

T&B

 

[brerrabbit]

I have heard about using dawn to and supposedly it works. In the area they are staying try this also. Put a banana peel on the floor where they are. My Aunt did this one time when she had he cat in the bathroom during the day and it got rid of the fleas in the room.