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    spitvenom's Avatar
    spitvenom Posts: 1,266, Reputation: 373
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    #1

    Sep 24, 2009, 10:05 AM
    Brown bugs on my cat
    I was petting one of my cats this morning before work and thought I saw a piece of dirt on him near his ear. I went to wipe it off him and it RAN!! So obviously it is some type of brown bug not sure what kind but everything I looked up said fleas. It didn't seem to bother him but it is bothering me. My cats do not go outside so I am starting to freak out thinking my Apt has fleas. Is this something that I have to take him to the vet for (which is fine) or can I buy something like advantage for cats and do it myself? I feel dirty now.
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 24, 2009, 10:19 AM
    Easy way to tell. Pick one off the animal. If it jumps, it's a flea. If not, it could be a louse or a mite.

    With cats, a vet is probably easier on both you and the kitty.

    You might need to check out the pest control threads for tips on de-flea-ing (new word) your apartment if it turns out they are fleas.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Sep 24, 2009, 10:53 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by spitvenom View Post
    I was petting one of my cats this morning before work and thought I saw a piece of dirt on him near his ear. I went to wipe it off of him and it RAN!!!! So obviously it is some type of brown bug not sure what kind but everything I looked up said fleas. It didn't seem to bother him but it is bothering me. My cats do not go outside so I am starting to freak out thinking my Apt has fleas. Is this something that I have to take him to the vet for (which is fine) or can I buy something like advantage for cats and do it myself? I feel dirty now.
    Sounds like a flea (speedy little critters!). Use a fine-toothed comb (flea comb) to see if there are more. Fleas like cats' neck areas and faces.

    All four of our cats got fleas about the same time (not sure how, since none go outside). We used Frontline on each. Within a day, the fleas were off the cats (try to catch the fleas as they jump ship, comb them out, and drown them in bowls of water), sprinkle flea powder on carpet/furry cat condos & beds, and vacuum, then put the sealed vacuum bag(s) into a plastic bag that also gets sealed (fleas don't die easily and are Olympic jumpers), and wash all bedding in hot soapy water. We did all this with great energy and enthusiasm, so within two or three days, we were flea-free.
    Sariss's Avatar
    Sariss Posts: 1,471, Reputation: 244
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    #4

    Sep 24, 2009, 03:29 PM

    Sounds like fleas.

    Whatever you do, do NOT get zodiac brand flea control.
    southerngalps's Avatar
    southerngalps Posts: 1,334, Reputation: 112
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    #5

    Sep 24, 2009, 04:32 PM

    If it is fleas... you might have them in your apartment.

    I have no pets and found one on me the other day.

    They really come out in the summer.

    You might have to do something with your carpet too to make sure they don't come back after you give your cat the medication.
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #6

    Sep 24, 2009, 10:35 PM

    Catsmine might yell at me for this one haha
    I have seen it work though...

    To test if you have fleas IN your house set up a trap for them...

    Get a desklight and put it in the middle of your floor pointing downwards.
    Then get a dish of soapy water and put it directly under the light.

    Set this up overnight.. the fleas will be attracted to the light and go bouncing towards it... landing in the soapy water and drowning ;)

    Obviously that doesn't get rid of the fleas as you would never catch them all but it's a good way to tell if you HAVE fleas in your house.
    XOXOlove's Avatar
    XOXOlove Posts: 830, Reputation: 131
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    #7

    Sep 24, 2009, 10:40 PM

    You can get a flea collar or drops for you cat. It can keep most of the fleas away. There is a brand of drops called frontline plus that you might be able to find at a store or online.
    morgaine300's Avatar
    morgaine300 Posts: 6,561, Reputation: 276
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    #8

    Sep 24, 2009, 11:17 PM

    Don't get Frontline online. Get it from the vet. And a flea collar isn't going to do much of anything. Either Frontline or Advantage is the best, whichever you're vet carries. You don't need to actually them a cat into the vet for this - you can just buy it and put it on yourself.

    Things like Frontline kill the fleas and the eggs that are on the cat. My cats are indoors, so if they gets fleas, it's cause they've picked them up from the vet's or off me. If I catch it fast enough and get the Frontline on them quickly, I don't even have to try to get rid of them in the house, cause the fleas will get on the cats and the Frontline will kill them.

    You also might want to use the flea comb suggested. The fleas themselves are hard to kill, but that will also get out the "flea dusties" that are left behind. (Don't ask.)
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
    Pest Control Expert
    		  
    #9

    Sep 25, 2009, 01:52 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by shazamataz View Post
    Catsmine might yell at me for this one haha
    I have seen it work though...

    To test if you have fleas IN your house set up a trap for them...

    Get a desklight and put it in the middle of your floor pointing downwards.
    Then get a dish of soapy water and put it directly under the light.

    Set this up overnight.. the fleas will be attracted to the light and go bouncing towards it... landing in the soapy water and drowning ;)

    Obviously that doesn't get rid of the fleas as you would never catch them all but it's a good way to tell if you HAVE fleas in your house.
    Nope, it works quite well. Make sure the desk lamp is a bulb, not a fluorescent, it needs to keep the water warm.
    morgaine300's Avatar
    morgaine300 Posts: 6,561, Reputation: 276
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    #10

    Sep 25, 2009, 05:36 PM

    I'm still trying to figure out how to get the lamp unsidedown over a bowl of soapy water...
    Catsmine's Avatar
    Catsmine Posts: 3,826, Reputation: 739
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    #11

    Sep 25, 2009, 06:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by morgaine300 View Post
    I'm still trying to figure out how to get the lamp unsidedown over a bowl of soapy water...
    Now THAT's funny!
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