How to get rid of fleas on a small kitten: safe drugs and treatment rules

Fleas are common parasites even for pets that spend their entire lives in an apartment. People bring parasite eggs from the street on shoes or clothes, and they also get from neighbors through open doors and even windows. If for adult animals fleas are a nuisance that can be quickly dealt with, then for a small kitten it is a problem that poses a threat to health and life.

Insects are carriers of diseases and distributors of helminths, and if there are too many of them, they will “eat” the baby, greatly weakening the body and weakening the immune system. There is only one conclusion - fleas need to be destroyed. But this must be done wisely, because the use of certain products depends on a number of conditions, especially on the age of the kitten.

Signs of a kitten having fleas

You can assume that a kitten has fleas if you find the baby on the street or if his mother has these insects. Pests cannot appear if the animals do not leave the house and do not come into contact with other cats, undergo preventive treatment and live in good sanitary conditions.

Signs of a kitten having fleas

Outwardly, a kitten may look absolutely healthy, so the presence of insects in its fur can only be determined upon examination. To do this, spread the fur at the withers so that the skin is visible. Signs of flea infestation:

• Black fragments (insect excrement) are visible;
• White specks (parasite eggs) were found;
• There are inflammatory processes on the skin, wounds, bite marks;
• The insects themselves are noticed (fleas have a black or dark brown, oblong body).

You can also suspect an infection based on your pet’s behavior. If he often itches his paw and suddenly starts and stops the process, he may have fleas. This behavior is caused by painful insect bites. In addition, symptoms such as lethargy and poor appetite may be present.

Article on the topic: How to find out if a cat has fleas

What do fleas look like and why are they dangerous?

Fleas are insects that parasitize animals. They look repulsive: small (up to 2–3 mm), with flattened bodies, chitinous cover with a brownish tint. It's not easy to see them, and even harder to catch them. When trying to touch them, these ectoparasites (living on the surface of the human or animal body) exhibit amazing jumping ability. Moreover, they can live on any inhabitant of the apartment, not just on a cat. Fleas take root on dogs, rabbits, decorative rodents, and can even bite humans. Once in a home, they jump to other residents of the house and multiply.

Fleas bring a lot of inconvenience to a pet, and can infect the owner with unpleasant diseases.

Fleas themselves cause a lot of trouble. The main problem is itching and irritation of the skin at the site of the bite. But the danger of fleas lies in the fact that they are carriers of dangerous infections (anthrax, encephalitis, hepatitis, plague, etc.), as well as helminths. The appearance of fleas in a kitten leads to infection with worms.

Features of flea removal in kittens

How to remove fleas from a kitten at home depends on the age of the baby and the number of insects. Up to 3-4 months, kittens have a very weak immune system; the use of chemicals can cause more harm to the pet’s health than the presence of parasites. Therefore, sometimes it is worth holding off on removal, especially if there are very few insects on the fur.

Only home methods are suitable for treating newborn kittens under one month of age. From 2-3 months, some chemicals can be used.

If the baby has not yet been weaned from its mother, all substances applied to its fur will enter the digestive system of the cat, and then the kitten during feeding through milk.

The use of insecticidal preparations based on poisons is permissible in kittens only after reaching 6 months of age. They are applied exclusively to the withers - a place that the pet cannot reach when licking the fur.

It is believed that a cat can rid a kitten of fleas while licking, but no matter how much she chases parasites through the baby’s fur, she cannot cope with this scourge without your help.

For the flea removal process to be effective, it is necessary to treat all cats in the house at the same time. It is advisable to carry out a general cleaning and eradicate insects in carpets, upholstered furniture, along baseboards and in pets’ sleeping areas.

Please note that the use of some products is permissible only after a certain period of time after vaccination of the animal. Strong drugs should also not be used if your pet is sick.

We create conditions so that the kitten does not get sick

To avoid infection, the breeder has the right to take preventive measures. Basic tips:

• daily examination of your pet for the presence of parasites;
• use of insecticides;
• frequency in the house;
• limited contact with non-domestic pets.

If it was not possible to avoid infection, then drastic measures must be taken to ensure a speedy recovery of the pet.

Soaping the composition

Soaping the composition is a complex process and you can’t do it without an assistant. Cats rarely like to take baths, so you need to hold your pet and thoroughly rub in the shampoo, avoiding the area around the eyes and face.

Carefully distribute the required dose over the entire body, including the abdomen, allow it to be absorbed, and then rinse off. Under no circumstances should you allow your cat to lick you for 10 minutes.

To avoid getting the product into your ears, you must first plug them with cotton tubes, which should be moistened with vegetable oil. It is necessary to rinse the kitten's fur thoroughly so that no chemicals remain.

How to dry your pet's fur

Drying a kitten after taking a bath is an important operation that preserves its health, because the body of babies is not protected from the effects of the sun and cold, as well as drafts. One drying method is to use a hair dryer. But you need to do this wisely. You can’t point it at the muzzle; you need to turn on the medium mode.

If the cat is afraid of the sound made, then you need to purchase a quieter device or use a heater-wind blower. The cats always move closer to him and are not afraid of him.

After taking a bath you should not:

• Remove the towel and immediately allow the cat to dry itself.
• Lock the animal in a cold room with an open window.
• Screaming while bathing and drying.
• Keep in a wet towel for a long time.
• Leaving the cat wet.

After blow-drying, comb the kitten and then reward it with a treat.

What to do if a kitten is poisoned by a drug

First provide first aid. Then go to the veterinary clinic and explain everything to the staff. Unlike an adult, a kitten’s infection develops quickly and the consequences can be more serious.

Regardless of what poisoned the kitten, you need to provide first aid. To reduce the concentration of the substance that caused the poisoning, it is worth giving the kitten water. If he refuses water, you need to pour it through a pipette.

If the substance gets through the fur, immediately bathe the pet. In case of chemicals that have got inside, you need to give 2 tablets of activated carbon and take the kitten to a veterinary clinic. Explain the cause of poisoning to provide effective assistance to your pet.

Traditional methods

You can get rid of fleas on a kitten at home without the use of special chemicals. This is especially true if the baby is less than 2 months old. Traditional methods are gentle and harmless, but sometimes tedious and not effective enough. But if you have no choice, it's worth trying them. How to remove fleas from a kitten using traditional methods: manually or using natural remedies.

Mechanical removal

By rights, the safest method of getting rid of fleas is mechanical, which allows you to remove insects even from newborn kittens. At the same time, it is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming, since it is not possible to quickly get rid of fleas by combing due to the presence of numerous clutches of eggs.

To carry out the procedure, you will need a hard plastic comb with frequent rounded teeth and a white sheet of paper. Combing fleas should begin from the back, gradually moving to the abdomen and paws. It is not recommended to manipulate the pet's head - you can injure the kitten's ears, nose and eyes. Any fleas on the paper should be immediately crushed or thrown into a container of water. The processing comb also needs to be periodically cleaned of accumulations of insects and hair.

You need to carry out the procedure twice a day until the fleas disappear. One combing session should take about 10 minutes on average. As a rule, it takes 1 month to solve the problem. Afterwards, it is necessary to check the fur for several weeks, since new individuals could emerge from the remaining eggs.

Bathing

Plain water will not get rid of fleas. But if you add salt, tansy or wormwood to the bath, the insects will begin to disappear.

Salt bath. Add table salt to warm water at the rate of 1 tbsp. 200 ml, dissolve. Place your pet in the solution for 10 minutes. Then pat the fur dry with a towel and comb out with a comb. Repeat the procedure every week.

A decoction of wormwood or tansy. Brew the chopped herb in boiling water (1 tablespoon per glass). Prepare a warm bath and pour in the infusion. Keep your pet in the solution for several minutes and dry the fur well. The procedure can be carried out several times a week.

Important! When bathing, be careful not to get water into your pet's ears, nose or eyes!

Tar soap

This flea remedy for kittens is completely safe and quite effective. The soap needs to be turned into thick foam. To make the process easier, you can grate the piece and dissolve it in warm water. The foam should be rubbed into the pet’s fur and rinsed off after a few minutes. To remove dead insects, you can comb the fur after drying.

Symptoms of infection

Veterinarians identify certain signs that indicate the presence of bloodsuckers. Symptoms directly depend on the extent of spread. There are 3 main stages:

1. Initial, which can be detected by a very attentive owner during a thorough examination of the pet’s fur. The only obvious sign will be more frequent scratching than usual.
2. The second stage is characterized by increased nervousness, sleep disturbances, and lack of appetite. The cat begins to gnaw something out of the skin, biting itself at the same time. Bloodsuckers are clearly visible on the hairline, especially at its base.
3. The third stage is manifested by a clear deterioration in health, weight loss, and refusal to eat. Severe ulcers on the skin are noticeable, and allergic dermatitis begins. Hair falls out in clumps, the coat becomes very thin to the touch and becomes dull.

Any stage of the disease serves as a signal to begin active action. Timely treatment will help eliminate symptoms, help your pet, and prevent the spread of insects throughout the house or apartment.

Special chemicals

If a kitten is older than 2 months and the baby has already been weaned from its mother, some chemicals can be used. Before using them, it is important to assess the kitten’s health; if it is weakened, you should choose the more gentle methods described above, or consult a veterinarian. The first time you need to use the product in a small volume to assess the reaction of your pet’s body.

Shampoos

The most affordable, popular and relatively harmless means for getting rid of fleas at home are shampoos based on plant extracts, such as celandine, or synthetic toxic substances.

Important! The packaging of the shampoo should indicate the age at which it should be used! Make sure this product can be used for your pet.

The kitten must be treated with the drug according to the instructions on the package, then thoroughly rinse off the remaining shampoo with warm water, dry the fur and comb out dead fleas and their eggs. Usually only 2-3 baths are enough to completely remove insects.

Collars

These products are designed to protect the kitten from re-infection with fleas, but they are unlikely to be able to exterminate the insects. Collars can be used from 6-8 months of age.

Features of using flea collars:

• They can rub the delicate skin on the kitten’s neck;
• In some cases they cause allergies and irritation;
• The kitten will try to remove the collar and may damage the integrity of the skin with its claws;
• The baby will experience discomfort from the uncomfortable thing.

Flea remedies for kittens
It is advisable to use collars if there are many pets in the house and some of them have fleas, as well as if a nursing cat is infected. It is worth using them for some time after the insects have hatched in order to prevent re-infection by individuals hatched from laid eggs.

Article on the topic: Flea collar for cats

Preventive recommendations

To prevent parasites from lingering in your home, it is recommended to clean with a vacuum cleaner as often as possible. The vacuum cleaner bag must be shaken out immediately after cleaning. Thoroughly clean the space under furniture, corners, and cat litter. Clean all areas where the animal is, such as a car or carrier.

Keep your home clean so that pests do not have food in the form of various debris and dust. As a preventative measure, repellents containing pyrethrins can also be used. They help protect the area from fleas.

There are a huge number of ways to deal with fleas in cats. You can use both natural folk remedies and modern medications, collars and shampoos in the fight against these parasites. The main thing is not to neglect the treatment of your pet and carry out preventive measures. As a result, all your efforts put into fighting fleas on your cat will be rewarded with happy purring and love from your pet.

How I was diagnosed

The local therapist immediately called an ambulance, which took me to the city infectious diseases hospital, to the ward with the same “fruits”. Then a blood test and diagnosis: viral hepatitis C.

I won’t say that the news about hepatitis shocked me. It just so happened: reckless youth in the dashing nineties. I couldn’t let the heroin wave pass me by - I got completely screwed. At that time, I had already had more than two years of “experience.” And although there was still money for a new syringe, the use of common utensils to prepare the potion for use occurred sporadically. Back then I couldn’t believe it was so dangerous. I still have no idea at what point I caught the virus. But if it’s through drugs, there’s no option.

How I decided to take generic treatment

And I took a break. I was observed for about another year at the gastrocenter. During this time, my maintenance treatment changed somewhat: the doctor replaced an expensive hepatoprotector drug with a cheaper drug and additionally prescribed several courses of anticholecystitis therapy to maintain gallbladder function. It turns out that in most cases any pain in the liver area is caused by the gall bladder. I only bought pills - doctor’s consultations and all examinations were free under the compulsory medical insurance policy.

At the same time, at this time I was actively surfing the Internet in search of information about a new treatment. I found out that these revolutionary tablets act as RNA polymerase inhibitors. They inhibit the enzyme necessary for the virus to multiply. I studied a lot of specialized forums with reviews about providers' websites, treatments and results. Everything looked like the treatment was really working.

I understood that something needed to be done about the pain. The viral load continued to grow, the symptoms also caused more and more inconvenience, and it was clear how it would all end.

And in September 2022, I finally made up my mind, saved up money for treatment and went to the doctor again, took a genotype and viral load test. Based on the test results, the hepatologist selected the drug Ledihep for me, an Indian generic of the original drug Harvoni. The active ingredients are two polymerase inhibitors: sofosbuvir and ledipasvir. The course of treatment was 12 weeks, one tablet per day. It was necessary to buy 3 jars of the drug, 28 tablets each.

I read specialized forums and, based on reviews, chose the site where I planned to place an order, but just in case, I also contacted the person on the doctor’s business card. My costs if ordering through him would be $300 higher compared to ordering through the website. I figured I could handle it myself and refused the services of a private contractor.

This is what the main page of the site where I bought medicine looks like. Source: HCV24

Prevention

Even animals that don't go outside can become infected with fleas. To protect your pets, the following conditions must be observed:

• maintain cleanliness where the pet lives;
• periodically inspect the animal for the presence of insects;
• apply antiparasitic agents;
• do not allow your four-legged friend to interact with homeless animals.

Summarizing all that has been said above, we can draw a simple conclusion: it is not difficult to remove fleas, but it is better to prevent their appearance. Therefore, the pet owner must carefully monitor the cat, as well as kittens, and do everything possible to prevent blood-sucking insects from darkening their lives.

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Remember

How much did hepatitis C treatment cost me?

Now, three years later, the situation with the treatment of hepatitis C in Russia has not changed. The state can only offer interferon therapy as free treatment programs. Generics of modern inhibitors cannot be purchased in pharmacies. The situation with the procurement of patented drugs is extremely confusing. Purchases of small quantities of expensive original drugs are periodically announced, but they are not available either in pharmacies or in programs.

This whole story with the treatment of hepatitis once again convinced me that something is wrong with the world order in general. A huge number of people do not have access to modern medicines only because large corporations decide who and how much to make money from. I also learned that we have many competent doctors, caring specialists who, in the face of this global injustice, help people literally survive. Now I'm used to searching for health-related information on the Internet. This helps, when communicating with a doctor personally, to understand who is in front of me: an expert or simply a “person with a profession” who is ossified in the dogmas of the times of obtaining a medical diploma.

Well, the main lesson, or rather a confirmation of well-known truths: you have to pay for everything and some things are better to prevent than to correct later.

I paid about 51,000 RUR for the treatment of hepatitis C