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Has my neighbours' cat given me fleas?


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Old 14-07-2013, 08:27
Moll Flanders
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My neighbours' cat spends a lot of time at our house; he sneaks in whenever he can and to be honest, we enjoy seeing him, as he's a lovely boy. (But in case anyone thinks we're deliberately luring him away from his owner,that's not the case; he visits all the houses in our road).

Anyway, my husband and I have got what might be fleas; we've both got a sort of rash round our ankles which are itching like mad.

I went to the doctor's on Friday, and he thought it was an allergy of some kind, possibly to some new socks I've bought. But my step-father, who's also a doctor, thinks it might be flea-bites, and we've seen a couple of fleas in the bedroom ()

Neither of us has ever owned a cat, so we don't know much about them. Does anyone think this sounds like fleas? And if it is, is it likely to come from the cat? And basically, what do we do about it if it is?

Lastly, why are the fleas (if that's what they are) targeting our ankles?

Any advice will be gratefully received!
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Old 14-07-2013, 08:33
Absolutely
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My daughter had cats once, and she found she had a rash on her lower leg that would not heal, they found out she is allergic to the saliva of the cats. The cats lick themselves, then rub up against legs of people. Wonder if its similar in your case.
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Old 14-07-2013, 09:09
bazaar1
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It could be fleas, but generally the bites are obviously bites, not a rash. If you've seen them, then you need to deflea anyway, as there will be larvae in the carpets etc. I'm not sure on the best treatment now, perhaps a bug bomb as you have no animals? Someone on here should be able to recommend,
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Old 14-07-2013, 09:13
Quofan
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Its likely you have fleas as they are very prevalent this year for some reason (may be the damp start to the year). Even our cat has had them and he doesn't usually.

You need to buy a can of Acclaim - much cheaper online than buying from a vet. You can buy it over the counter - no prescription is required.
Vacuum your house thoroughly, even under sofas and beds. Then, spray the Acclaim on the carpets in the house paying attention to the edges and anywhere the cat might lie down/sleep.

You won't see an instant reduction but after a couple of weeks it will kill them off and importantly it kills any eggs that have been laid in the carpet (and fleas do lay eggs at a fast rate!).

We did our whole house with Acclaim and even when the cat brought some more fleas in we didn't have any further problems.

Hope this helps.

Neil
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Old 14-07-2013, 09:17
stud u like
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Indorex gets rid of fleas in the house.

Get a comb for the cat and have a look. Mind you if you part the fur on the cats neck, you can usually see the fleas.
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Old 14-07-2013, 10:11
Lost_Soul
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it does sound like fleas and if you've seen them then sadly you have them...get some spray for your home from a vets or pet shop and you have to do everywhere, make sure all your carpets are sprayed and under furniture, make sure you empty your hoover after, ive been told they can live in the bag...not sure if thats true though.
If your friends with the cats owner it may be worth mentioning so they can treat the cat.
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Old 14-07-2013, 10:30
Croctacus
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it does sound like fleas and if you've seen them then sadly you have them...get some spray for your home from a vets or pet shop and you have to do everywhere, make sure all your carpets are sprayed and under furniture, make sure you empty your hoover after, ive been told they can live in the bag...not sure if thats true though.
If your friends with the cats owner it may be worth mentioning so they can treat the cat.
Or put flea powder or a flea collar in the bag to make sure any picked up are killed.
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Old 14-07-2013, 10:36
JeffG1
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If your friends with the cats owner it may be worth mentioning so they can treat the cat.
Cats should be treated monthly with a spot-on treatment such as Advocate in any case. Not to do so (together with 3-monthly worming) is neglecting proper pet care.
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Old 14-07-2013, 12:16
Moll Flanders
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Thanks so much everybody for the helpful advice; I only posted on here a few hours ago, and already there are quite a few replies! Thankyou!
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Old 14-07-2013, 13:09
Quofan
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Cats should be treated monthly with a spot-on treatment such as Advocate in any case. Not to do so (together with 3-monthly worming) is neglecting proper pet care.
Agree 100% - both worming and flea treatment should be done without fail (we have to do our cat as he is allergic to flea bites as well).
I'd advise not to use FrontLine as its had some bad feedback this year and isn't killing the fleas. Advocate is brilliant though and the spot on treatments are very easy to do.
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Old 14-07-2013, 16:26
nepotism46
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not the fleas that are the pests, it's the cat
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Old 14-07-2013, 19:20
JeffG1
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Agree 100% - both worming and flea treatment should be done without fail (we have to do our cat as he is allergic to flea bites as well).
I'd advise not to use FrontLine as its had some bad feedback this year and isn't killing the fleas. Advocate is brilliant though and the spot on treatments are very easy to do.
Through my vet, I get the spot-on treatments delivered by post, so I can't forget! Advocate (fleas) comes each month and Profender (worms) every three months.

Advocate and Profender arrived together this month. Just done the Advocate today and the Profender gets done at least 72 hours later. Mind you, my cat hates having it done and I have to pin her down to do it!
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Old 14-07-2013, 19:44
dollymarie
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not the fleas that are the pests, it's the cat
Are you going to troll every thread droning on because you don't like cats?
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Old 15-07-2013, 00:12
xdow
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Through my vet, I get the spot-on treatments delivered by post, so I can't forget! Advocate (fleas) comes each month and Profender (worms) every three months.

Advocate and Profender arrived together this month. Just done the Advocate today and the Profender gets done at least 72 hours later. Mind you, my cat hates having it done and I have to pin her down to do it!
you could switch to Advantage over advocate and save a few quid, as it's just as effective against fleas (same company, same ingredient, just Advantage doesn't cover worms of any kind, if you use it for lungworm protection or ear mite protection though, keep on with it)
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Old 15-07-2013, 01:33
barbeler
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Buy a flea comb and use it on the cat. Have a lighter handy, so if any come out in the comb, you can set fire to them and listen to them pop.
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Old 21-07-2013, 15:12
KJ44
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Lastly, why are the fleas (if that's what they are) targeting our ankles?
Your house has cat fleas, but not cats, so they're going for you. Your ankles are closer to the carpet, and exposed I guess. I got them on my shins, above the sock line.

Itchy spots with a clear head, am I right?

Others on here (#4) are suggesting the right sprays and wotnot.
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Old 21-07-2013, 23:30
Susan_A1951
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I hate to say it - but if you have seen fleas - then you have a real problem. More and more, flea preparations and sprays simply don't work long term. Fleas can lie dormant for up to a year and then you have the same problem.

A year ago I looked after my daughter's cats while she was on holiday and despite them being frontlined, I ended up with fleas all over the house and was bitten to pieces. A nightmare.

The only real answer I would recommend is to phone your local council. It cost me £50 - but a guy came in a discreet car and sprayed throughout. When a few weeks later I found another flea, they returned for free and sprayed the house again. Since then - no problems. The worst thing surprisingly is having bare floor boards and rugs. Carpets are easier to treat.

Just an odd flea can lead to an infestation - and you can spend a lot of money on sprays which just don;'t work. Call in the experts. Good luck!
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