Ati flea product. . .

Almost ever since we got Kyrre we have had problems with insect bites every now and then, mostly while we were sleeping. Now it's worse than ever (because of spring) and we have figured out that it's fleas... :? Here in Norway they are called "bird fleas", but I couldn't find a good translation.

It's probably Kyrre who brings these little bastards in, so he is not allowed into the bedroom anymore, but we still get bitten (also while sleeping, they probably hang on to us or our clothes). Our landlord has hens in our back yard, and she said the fleas probably comes from them.

I have purchased a spray at the pet store called "flea and tick-14 spray" from Bio-Groom. Does anybody have any experience with this product (or something similliar)?

 

I have not heard of that product.

But, do you have 'Frontline' or 'Advantage' out there?

It is a monthly application you put on the back of your cat's neck. It keeps fleas off of the cat.

I personally don't use sprays or powders... etc. From what I understand (and I am not totally sure) - they are not the safest products.

But, the Advantage and Frontline are very popular in the US and seem to go a good job. (They can be aquired by the vet or even off the internet. It's like a prescription for cats.)

My mom (Sunset05) uses one of these products on her cats. It is very needed in the spring because her cats go nuts if they don't get their fleas controlled. That, and not only does the cat suffer, but so do the humans. I've been eaten up by fleas in the past and it's not fun!

Sorry I can't offer more info!

 

Hi Bente. I agree with Lucidity03 about the Advantage and Frontline products. I used to use Advantage, but I now use Frontline. They are both good products, however the Frontine does not "sting" when placing it behind their neck, unlike the advantage. So, basically Romeo and Juliet don't try and squirm or run away when I place the drops.

If you don't have those products where you live, call your vet and see what they recommend. It may be different in Norway, but here in the U.S. a lot of the store bought/over the counter (OTC) products are not good, not to mention a lot of them can harm our fur animals.

I personally wouldn't use that spray on Kyrre, as she will most likely lick it off and that can be toxic and make her ill. Let us know what you end up using.

 

I tried to spray some of that stuff on Kyrre, but it was not easy since i have to hold the bottle 12 inches from his body and trie to keep him from running at the same time... :| I dont think I will be using it again, it was heavily perfumed... Even if it's not poison for cats it's got to be uncomfortable for them to walk around smelling "mother-in-law-ish". So that's 139kr down the drain.. (22 USD)
All they had at the pet store was a flea collar, wich will NEVER be accepted by Kyrre, and this spray. But I'm going to ask another woman I know that works there, the one I talked to today didn't seem to know much about the different products. I'm also going to ask the vet.

 

These are the products I'm talking about. I don't know if your vet out there works with this stuff.

http://frontline.us.merial.com/
http://www.nofleas.com/

I don't blame you about the flea collars. My cats would never tolerate one. They'd tear it off in minutes.

 

Personally I like Frontline, the active ingredient is fipronol which has been used in Europe to kill human hair lice since the second world war, its about the safest on the market, its effective in killing fleas and ticks ( and although it hasnt been approved yet, the spray version has been known to kill sarcoptic mange-scabies). Frontline was available in UK prior to the US approving it and I know its available in Germany so Im guessing it should be available in Norway. It goes on behind the neck, between the shoulders, try and get it high up enough so the pet cant lick it off ( in some pets it causes temporary hypersalivation, I dont know of any other side effects from it, but ask your vet if they know of any) Dont bathe the pet for 48 hours before and 48 hours after putting it on, after that they can be bathed if needed.
My theory on flea collars is they just chase all the fleas down to the butt.

 

I've used Frontline and it works pretty well. I have gotten it from my Vet and I have also ordered it online. The online stuff didn't seem to work quite as well. Not sure why...maybe it was not as fresh at the Frontline I got from my Vet.

My cats won't accept flea collars either. Mittens can always manage to get them off somehow so I gave up on that plus I've heard they are not the best thing too use...having chemicals near the kitty's face all the time.

Good luck with your fleas.

 

Sunset05, this might be of some interest to you,

http://www.state.ak.us/dec/eh/docs/pest ... oducts.pdf

the link is a pdf file....and this is taken from Bayers site:

http://www.nofleas.com/FAQ.asp#q2

Is Advantage sold only through veterinarians?
Yes. Bayer has always had the policy of selling Advantage only through licensed, practicing veterinarians with a doctor-client-patient relationship. It's even on our packaging. This is done to ensure you and your pet are getting the best counsel from the person who knows pets and their healthcare best -- your veterinarian.

I never buy any of the pesticides on line, not worth the risk.

 

Thanks for the info, DeLaUK. I went to the link and found it very interesting...Some good information there.

I don't remember anything unusual about the Frontline I ordered on line but never thought of it being conterfeit. I guess that could have been a possibility. I don't have the package anymore to check it. From what I remember, it did seem to be sealed properly.

After using it, though, I had decided not to order it that way again and would get it from my Vet next time.

 

Bente, if the fleas are outside you may need to treat your yard--if that's possible. Even if you "flea proof" Kyrre, the fleas could ride in on you. And you should treat the house too. They will lay eggs in carpet and furniture and those will hatch after you kill the adults. I have found a powder that you can sprinkle on the carpet and then vacuum up. It has a pleasing smell too. I'm not sure what's available or even legal in Norway though. Good Luck! They are tough to completely get rid of.

 

Bente, as others have mentioned, you will need to treat your home as well as Kyrre. Make sure you wash any bedding, pillows, rugs, stuffed animals and other areas where fleas could hide. Then be sure to vacuum and/or mop the floors. You can also try a product like http://www.fleabuster.com/ or if you can find some unrefined diatomaceous earth powder to sprinkle in hard to reach areas about the house. I've also read of a suggestion to add a flea collar to the inside of a vacuum cleaner bag to kill any fleas or eggs that may get vacuumed up. Also try steam cleaning the sofa. A product like Frontline or Advantage would probably be easiest for getting the little buggers under control, but personally i don't do that to Vianne more than a couple times a year and thats only if i've been taking her outside a lot, since i don't like the idea of constantly applying chemicals to her skin, but Vianne has never had an issue with fleas yet, tho i do bath her every 3-4 weeks becuz of allergy issues. Plus i've heard more than a few vets mention that fleas can build up a resistance to these products after awhile and they usually suggest rotating them every 6 months or so. You might also try a cheap herbal flea powder you can make yourself with powdered rosemary and fennel to spinkle on Kyrre's skin until you find something else. The only other thing i can think to tell you is to try keeping the grass where Kyrre likes to play nice and short so there's less places for buggies to hide. Its pretty important to treat fleas tho, because they can cause other problems like passing tape worms and possibly anemia, not to mention annoying to have them biting you all the time. Good luck.

 

According to my doctor, these type of fleas can't live on anything but bird blood, so there is no chance of them laying eggs. But with over 10 hens running loose in our yard I guess we just keep getting them over and over. Everytime we notice bites on our body I vacuume clean the matress (sp?) and change the bed... Luckily the flea season "only" lasts until May... :roll:

 

That's good news about the eggs and the short flea season. But they still bite people and cats? That seems odd...

I had a funny image of putting flea collars on all the hens :lol: .

 

I know... But they don't seem to bite Kyrre, at least he doesn't scratch him self more than normal (like we do...) Maybe his fur is too thick..?

:m39: