my 7 yr old male indoor cat is alergic to fleas. We can’t use the over the counter flea control on him because he looses his hair at that site and then gets a sore. The one spot isn’t working. Please advise what we can to do assist him. He’s pulling out his hair!!!
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Talk to your vet about safer veterinary topical applications for flea control. Many over the counter meds are not effective or as safe as the Advantage, Frontline and Revolution from a vet. Also, vacuum every flat surface, wash all bedding and rugs (and dry them- the heat kills all stages of fleas), and if your cats is truly miserable, discuss short term steroid therapy with your vet (prednisolone for oral meds is better than an injectable product).
Treat all the animals in the house and keep them indoors. If you live in a warm climate, consider year round treatment, maybe even a topical with a heartworm protectant as well.
Good luck.
Lori L Coughlin, DVM
The Cat Practice
Oak Park, IL
Professionally control fleas in the house, routinely–a must. Seek veterinarian in your area doing NAET. (see “Eliminate Your Pet’s Allergies” @ http://www.naet.com. If any other pets in house, their fleas must be controlled if they go outside.
Dr. C. T. Schenck
Harlingen Veterinary Clinic
Belle Mead, NJ
1. See your vet for something that’s not over the counter.
2. See your vet for an anti-inflammatory injection +/- pills.
Phillip McHugh, DVM
Park Veterinary Hospital
Durham, NC
Consider giving Capstar twice a week for at least 3 weeks to all dogs and cats in your cat’s environment as well as him. If the itching goes away continue this regimen.
Roxanne Levinson, DVM
ARKLE Veterinary Care
Smyrna, GA
While indoor cats are at less of a risk for fleas, it is still possible for them to get them. Fleas can come in the house by taking a ride with a human coming in or another animal. If you have other pets that go in and out of the house, it is advisable that your indoor cat is also protected. Adult fleas will typically stay with their original host. The problem is when they lay eggs which drop into the environment. The eggs (which also can be brought inside on shoes in dirt and such) hatch, the larva feed and then develop a pupa which then opens when the flea matures as an adult (think of a butterfly, though a nicer thought, still an insect life cycle). The adult flea will find the nearest host. If that happens outside, the flea may jump on a human first, which then goes inside, and finding that human to be an unsatisfactory host, may jump onto your indoor cat. Similarly, a flea that has developed inside because it was brought inside in the egg phase, may find your cat first. Pets that go in and out are likely to keep their own fleas, but eggs can be dropped into the environment. If your cat is the only pet you own, and there are no neighboring cats, dogs, or similar wildlife (and that includes squirrels, etc.) in the area, this situation is less likely to occur. The good news is that if you are at all worried, keep your cat on a preventative. There are many safe products available from veterinarians that extensively test efficacy and safety and keep in mind the consideration that cats groom themselves.
On the topic of feline acne, flea products will have no effect on feline acne. Feline acne is often developed because of an overgrowth of bacteria on surfaces that your cat is around most commonly food and water dishes. (Compare it to a teenager that never washes their face.) You can help prevent feline acne by switching any plastic food or water dishes to porcelain or stainless steel dishes and washing them at least once a week. The acne itself can be cleaned twice daily with a diluted antimicrobial cleaner such as betadine or chlorhexidine.
I hope this helps.
Beth Endsley, VNA, VTNC, CPNC
I strongly recommend applying a good flea preventative on a regular basis to indoor only cats. Fleas are good “hitch-hikers” and can take a ride on your clothing from outside to inside. One flea can rapidly multiply until pretty soon you have an infestation. Check with your veterinarian to get a good, safe product for your indoor cat.
As for the chin acne, check your food and water dishes. Often, an allergy to plastic dishes will cause this problem. Stainless steel or crockery are better choices for your cat’s food and water. I don’t know why, but I see this problem most often on yellow tabby cats, so I think there must also be a genetic tendency toward chin acne. Since a cat can’t wash his chin very well, I recommend using benzoyl peroxide acne wipes to help control this problem.
Tami H. McGraw, DVM