Cat Fleas

[claybizz]

Are there any views on flea treatment that involves putting those poison drops on the back of the neck of your pet. I have heard that when this stuff enters the blood stream it can cause brain damage and eventually kill. What other treatment would you recommend. My Vet says flea collars are useless.

[jules77]

I havnt heard a good thing about flea collars either. I have used the spot on flea treatment on both dogs and cats. I use frontline, and wouldnt use stronghold.

There were some reports about flea treatments having an adverse effect on cats some months ago, but I think it was the ones available from pet shops that should have been used for dogs, and cat owners had bought them not knowing there was a difference.

[lankeela]

I would only ever use Frontline Spray, not any of the spot on treatments. It is crucial you do not use a spot on that is meant for dogs on cats, or any that might be out of date, as they can affect the cat badly and even be fatal in some cases. Frontline Spray is only available from your vet as it is a Prescription Only Medicine.

[gallapunk]

OMG Jules I hope that's what it was because I always used those spot ones (for cats, not dogs) on my cats and I would never forgive myself if I thought there was any harm in them.

I agree that flea collars are crap and most sprays scare cats to death, so I really, really hope the spot treatments are OK.

[Noweia]

Yup, flea collars don't work.

As long as you give your cat a spot-on meant for cats as lankeela says, your pet should be fine. We have been giving our cat spot-ons for years now to no adverse effect (except he sulks for about an hour after we do it!)

Bob-Martins spot-on for dogs will kill cats - maybe that is what you have read?

Also better getting one from the vet - the above brand doesn't work.

[Kleiber]

I always use Frontline spot on on my cats and dogs and it doesn't do them any harm. As the others have said, though, NEVER use dog stuff on a cat, as it will kill it.

[claybizz]

Many thanks to all for your time. I really wasn't aware of this difference for cats and dogs.
Regards.