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MimiGirl · Apr 1, 2011, 06:49 AM

Good Morning to all!
My hubby and I are passing through a huge dilema with our cats.. You see we live in a apartment house and about a month ago the owner of the house started to take care of a cat that definitely has fleas (cause not only did I noticed that she/he had a flea collar but also when that cat would be outside she/he would scratch constantly). Anyway, my hubby decided to show my two other indoor "ALWAYS" cats that we have at our apartment-so he brought that flea cat inside just for a few seconds and then took her outside.. BAD IDEA!! Ever since that day I began to feel extreamly itchy and at nights was the worst -it was hard for me to sleep cause I felt constant tickleling and itchyness. Then I began to notice bite marks near my belly button, on the sides near my hips, and around my inner thighs. I knew then something was up so I check my cats and like I suspected they had fleas..
When we saw this we first took them both a bath and then the day after got Advantage and put it on them. Afterwards we began to vacuum and clean the whole apartment, beds, sheets, cloths etc.
Then we called exterminator he came twice (once for every 2 weeks) sprayed our apartment.
After a few days we finally started to feel some relief-i finally felt like I can sleep well at night :)
Until this morning... Started to feel that itchyness and tickles once again on the bed (not as bad as the beginning-still haven't seen no bite marks) but this is horrible..
On April 6 we have to put another dose of Advantage on our cats (this will be the second month) and I have been cleaning and vacuuming like crazy weekly.
Just a day ago I decided to brush one of my cats and noticed on the brush flea poop (black dots)
I honestly don't know what to do anymore.. we have been trying everything-we even used BOTAX (a detergent that I've heard that kills instantly the fleas on rugs, beds, sofas etc.)
*** help anyone :(

excon · Apr 1, 2011, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by MimiGirl

Just a day ago i decided to brush one of my cats and noticed on the brush flea poop (black dots)

Hello M:

You had me going up until that point... That's the best laugh I've had all day.

excon

tleegreene · Apr 2, 2011, 02:23 PM

Is this some kind of joke, as indicated by "excon"? I don't want to waste time responding if this is not a serious request for advice.

MimiGirl · Apr 2, 2011, 03:47 PM

Hubby here - just to correct a few things on the question - believe it or not the black dots actually look more like dirt - online most people call it flea dirt - when we went to the vet he said exactly in these words - its flea poop, ****, and crap... lol. It pretty much what the flea's release once there don't with the blood they suck in, but the terminology people use online is "flea dirt". Also another correction its BORAX powder(multi-purpose cleaner) not BOTAX. So far the two responses above didn't help - if these are the responses my wife and I are going to expect then we live in a sad country my friends - now I know why other places in the world don't take us seriously when we got idiots like the responders above who don't seem to show a bit of respect and understanding to other peoples problems. So if nobody knows what is going on then don't reply to this forum - if your smart enough and DO want to help give us a mature answer then knock yourself out. Thanks again America... we know we could count on you... :)

excon · Apr 2, 2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by MimiGirl

now i know why other places in the world dont take us seriously when we got idiots like the responders above who dont seem to show a bit of respect

Hello Hubby:

At least I know when I'm being shat upon.

excon

Alty · Apr 2, 2011, 07:57 PM

now I know why other places in the world don't take us seriously when we got idiots like the responders above who don't seem to show a bit of respect and understanding to other peoples problems. So if nobody knows what is going on then don't reply to this forum

Considering the fact that everyone here volunteers for free to help people like you, and you just called two members idiots, I'm going to pass.

You may want to think before you post, be a little more polite to the people taking time out of their lives to help. No one wants to be treated like dirt, which is what you just did. No one has to answer your question, so be grateful for any response you get, and choose the one that works for you.

You owe Excon and tleegreene an apology.

Lucky098 · Apr 2, 2011, 08:03 PM

First of all.. Fleas are species specific. Your cats fleas cannot crawl onto you and start biting you.

I would suggest instead of spending the thousands of dollars on silly detergents that claim to kill fleas, get a powder or fogger that you can put in your house specifically for fleas.

Flea collar are worthless. They only prevent infestation around the neck. I would suggest Advantix or Frontline. Not only do they repel fleas, but also kill flea larvea and eggs.

Clean your cats with dawn dishsoap and cool water. It will help relieve them of the itchyness and get rid of the flea dirt. After they are dry, then apply the advantix or frontline.

The only thing I can think of is, that this is a mind over matter situation. That is the only time that a parasite from the animal world will effect humans. Unless your cats have Scabies (Sarcoptic mites) then there is no way that you are getting an infestation from your cats directly to your skin. You can get bit, but they do not live on your skin..

Stop touching the infested cat. Spray around your doorway.

Because you have problems with fleas,I would also suggest you get your cats treated for tapeworms. These two parasites walk hand in hand.

Good luck :)

tleegreene · Apr 3, 2011, 02:15 PM

Ok! Wow! Apparently I'm an idiot for not knowing what "excon" thought the joke was. Since, you apparently didn't get the joke either, I guess that puts us in the same boat. Whatever...

For the health of your cats... you are probably not using the Advantage in the most efficient manner. Mainly, you shouldn't wash your cats the day before. Advantage relies on body oils to distribute it over the cats entire body. Washing strips the skin of natural oils. Without the oils, the Advantage can not effectively treat the entire cat.
Also, you need to make sure you are using the correct dosage. The dose depends on your cat's weight. Often people don't realize their cat has gained a pound or two and needs to go up to the next dosage.
Next, don't waste money on "Borax" or any other detergent. Buy a product that is made to kill fleas and their eggs on furniture and carpet.
By the way, this is a common problem for many people. Just when you have finally gotten rid of all the fleas and have treated every bit of your house, the eggs start to hatch and the problem starts all over again. That is why it is very important to use a product that kills fleas and their eggs.
Another approach, is to use an oral medication along with the Advantage. While the Advantage kill the fleas, the oral medicine renders any remaining eggs unable to sexually mature. Thus breaking the cycle since any remaining fleas won't be able to reproduce.

Lucky098 · Apr 3, 2011, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by ;

Mainly, you shouldn't wash your cats the day before. Advantage relies on body oils to distribute it over the cats entire body. Washing strips the skin of natural oils. Without the oils, the Advantage can not effectively treat the entire cat.

Which is why you would use dawn dish soap. It doesn't strip the natural oils of the skin, or so it claims...

MimiGirl · Apr 4, 2011, 06:40 AM

Hello again,
Wifey here :)
First of all I appreciate everyone who replied and gave their advice/answers. My intentions on writing this question were to find some answers not to joke around-I apologize if at anytime I made it seem that way.. Regarding the flea poop (lol) I admit that when I first read it in the internet I also did find it kind of funny but it kind of made sense cause though cause, from what I read,that's what fleas leave behind-like my hubby explained looks kind of like dirt. Anyway we are just both very frustrated at this situation with our cats- this is the first time we actually pass through this flea situation and we don't know that much about it.
Once again, I am thankful for those who replied and gave me straight answers. :) And for those who want to know, this is the updates on our cats (Blondie and Señora):

We took our 2 cats a bath on Friday with a flea shampoo and left the shampoo on for about 10 minutes before taking it off with water-believe it or not we actually saw some dead fleas.. yyayy.. die suckerz.. lol :)
Afterwards, we dried them up and put the ADVANTAGE on them.
-Please note that we did this before reading your answer lucky098 or else we would have done it differently.. hope the ADVANTAGE still works though-
They both still scratch even after everything done to them.. If I still see fleas on them we will eventually have to take them both to the vet and see what they tell us.
Sucks that our indoor cats have to pass through this..
Well lets see what happens next.
Thank you all once again and I will keep you update.. :)

excon · Apr 4, 2011, 06:48 AM

Hello again, M:

Your post is the first time I've heard about flea poop. I didn't believe it. I still don't... Do you know how tiny their little a$$holes are?

excon

Wondergirl · Apr 4, 2011, 08:14 AM

Excon:

There really IS flea poop! They are tiny black dots smaller than ground pepper that lie on the cat's skin and are pulled into the fur when the cat is brushed or as the flea crawls around and poops in the fur. (Fleas aren't fussy where they poop). If we ever had another infestation, I will tape some onto a 3x5 card and mail it to you.

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-a...html#flea-dirt

WG

excon · Apr 4, 2011, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

There really IS flea poop!!

Hello WG:

Oh, I don't doubt that fleas poop. What I doubt, is that you can see it. I refer you above to my mention of their teeny tiny little a$$holes...

excon

Wondergirl · Apr 4, 2011, 08:40 AM

excon:

Did you look at the photos in that link I posted? What are those black dots if they are not flea poop?

Those black dots have been meticulously examined by highly trained poop scientists and have been magnified and tested in sterile, high-tech labs. Those black dots are not eggs or dirt from the environment. They are flea poop.

Would a photo showing the size of a flea's a$$hole convince you? Would you like to see a YouTube video of a flea pooping? (There probably is one. Everything else seems to be on YT.)

WG

excon · Apr 4, 2011, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Would a photo showing the size of a flea's a$$hole convince you?

Hello again, Carol:

Yes, it would.

excon

Wondergirl · Apr 4, 2011, 08:57 AM

Excon:

I will make that my Monday project.

WG

Alty · Apr 4, 2011, 03:30 PM

To the OP. Thank you for coming back and thank you for explaining things more.

If the treatment doesn't work I really do think that the vet is your best bet. Fleas can be really hard to get rid of, even if you do everything right, and follow instructions exactly. They're nasty little vermin.

Please keep us posted, let us know how it all goes, and if the treatment worked.

Good luck.

MimiGirl · Apr 5, 2011, 01:40 PM

Thank you wondergirl for taking the time and explaining to some that their really is flea poop.. I was beginning to feel like no one was believing me.. Just wanted to give my thanks ;-)

MimiGirl · Apr 5, 2011, 01:55 PM

Seeing is believing.. until you have fleas on your pet and check their fur then you'll see those black dots that wondergirl and I were writing about. I think wondergirl even added some pics so you can see. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame you for not believing, I couldn't believe it myself till I researched online and found out that it really is the feces from those tiny suckerz.

Wondergirl · Apr 5, 2011, 03:04 PM

Not only do fleas poop digested blood on our cats, but they have sex too -- lots of sex (to make baby fleas)! Don't let your cat be a maternity hospital. That's why it's important to get rid of fleas as fast and as thoroughly as you can.

Frontline and scrupulous cleaning is what worked for me (with three cats serving as temporary no-tell motels and maternity hospitals).