Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    Well, it sounds like they have fleas or you wouldn't be asking.
    Fleas can be carried in on you!  If you are walking in grass
    they may attach themselves to your pant legs, socks, whatever,
    and come in the house with you.
    
    And yes, indoor cats are less likely to get Felv but my two
    indoor cats have been vaccinated nevertheless.  Better safe than
    sorry.
    
    Karen

    Indoor cats are not likely to get fleas.  If your cats are scratching,
    consult the Vet.  There are other things your cat can get, like
    body mites (I think that's what they're called). They are invisible,
    but boy do they bite!  
    
    As for FeLV, indoor cats are less likely to get FeLV.  Unless one
    of your cats already has it.  It is generally contracted by contact
    with a cat that has FeLV.  From what I understand, it is most commonly
    transmitted by contact with the urine of a cat with FeLV.
    
    Holly
    

    NO ! they do not have fleas.  I just wanted to know if they should
    be wearing flea collars.  I put a plastic collar with a bell on
    it on Tish and she darn near chocked on it.

    I wouldn't put a flea collar on them.  They are not likely to get
    fleas at all.  Besides, some cats are allergic to flea collars,
    anyway.
    
    Holly
    

    
    
    I put flea collars on my two indoor kitties....  You never know
    what is on you or what you bring into your house with you....
    
    I just brought in several new plants that have been sitting outside
    for a few months....  So, I'm a little paranoid....  :^>  Otherwise,
    I wouldn't worry about it.
    
    Katie
    

    It all depends a bit on you. My two are strictly indoors, and I
    live in a studio appartment in a complex on the 3rd floor, so there
    is no contact whatsoever with the outside world for them, except
    when on the (closed by glass and screens) balcony.
    
    I never had any flea problems and have taken no measures like flea
    collars or so, but in the flea season I do watch them a bit more.
    There is always the chance that you take a flea with you from a
    cat you meet outside or with friends. Indoor cats are far less likely
    to catch a disease but still be careful when you meet other cats.
    If you have cuddled a bit with a neighbours cat outdoors it is a
    good precaution to wash your hands before cuddling your own cats.
    It may be better to let them have all the shots you'd give them
    if they'd go out, especially when you let other cats visit. 
    
    I agree with Holly a flea collar isn't necessary. Should it happen
    you accidently get fleas in the house, there is no worry if you
    react immediately. Meanwhile, all flea things are poisonous in some
    form so if they are not necessary, it is better not to use them.
    
    Anyway, there is a lot less to worry about when you have indoor
    cats :-)
    
    Ad 
             

    
    I have just read through this note and most of you agree that indoor
    only cats can not (unless brought in from outside by you) get fleas.
    
    Question - Why are all new born kittens born riddled with fleas????
    
    I know because when Elsa (RIP) had her litter neither her or Dillan
    had fleas and both wore cat flea collars and yet my house was infested
    with fleas when the kittens were born.  Speaking to a few other
    people they said all kittens are born with fleas but I wonder how
    they can get them!!!
    
    Sharon
    

    Now that's strange!  I have never heard of such a thing!  Maybe
    some of the other "professionals" in this file can tell us.
    
    Holly
    

    Isn't it a bit dangerous for the kittens to have 'mom' wear a flea
    collar the first few days?
    
    I also wouldn't understand where those fleas could come from, except
    when they still were on the other cats but somehow managed to keep
    a 'low profile'.
    
    Ad

    I think indoor only cats are far less likely to get fleas; however,
    it can happen.  I guess it depends on where you live.  I would think
    a cat living in a warmer climate year round would be at a higher
    flea risk.  Also, fleas thrive in sandy areas, so take that into
    consideration as well.
    
    Both of my cats go outdoors.  I bought some Hills Flea Powder, but
    am afraid to use it even though Breeder's Pride highly recommended
    it.  What I did instead was send away for a package of those natural
    brewers yeast and garlic flea-away tablets.  They contain vitamins
    as well.  I have been grinding the tablets into a fine powder and
    mixing it in with their food.  Now I don't know if this remedy really
    repels fleas or if it's just a farce, but it sounds good nonetheless.
    I also purchased a flea comb to check for the pests periodically.
    
    Anyone else have input to add on the brewers yeast and garlic tablets?
    
    /Roberta
    

    Indoor cats CAN and DO get fleas from all the sources listed .
    If they do , give them a bath or powder them (depending on their
    ages) .  If you only have one or two cats, you could bomb your
    home and them bathe the animals.  Very small babies usually
    get fleas (first) because they are lower to the floor and
    the fleas don't have to jump as high!!! 
    Some flea collars can cause illness - Right Sandy?  Watch you
    animals carefully for signs of distress from the collars.
    

    Re: .11
    
    "don't have to jump as high"... :-) :-) fleas can jump 20 feet in
    one bound, my vet told me.  S&H (indoor only) get fleas periodically;
     I am sure the fleas get in thru the screens from the yard or perhaps
    piggyback on me or friends.  My first cat Pussycat died from FeLV
    after 8 years as indoor only, presumably from contact thru a screen
    door with a neighbors' cat who (unknown to me) was dying from it.
    So S&H both get the vaccine.

    They don't wear flea collars; chemical stuff makes me nervous.
        

    re: .10 "...brewer's yeast and garlic..."
    
    I can attest to the effectiveness of this as it is one of my favorite
    ways of preparing popcorn. To date, I don't have fleas....
    
    Edd

         We thought we had the flea problem solved.  Fluffy and Bigfoot
    used to be indoor/outdoor, and when they moved in with Loki last
    year, all three got fleas.  We bombed the house and dipped the cats
    and no fleas.
    
         H-o-w-e-v-e-r ...
    
         During this past few weeks when we had a really hot spell,
    we let the boys into the cellar as that was one place that was nice
    and cool, albeit a bit damp.  Now we have cool kitties and little
    fleas.  Seems that fleas like cold, damp places as well as nice,
    warm kitty (and doggy) bodies, and they picked up the fleas there
    (they're all indoor only now).  So ... Fluffy went for another dip
    (long hair = flea heaven) and Loki and Bigfoot got dusted.  All
    three will be wearing veterinary flea collars, unless they get a
    reaction to them (which we will be watching like hawks).  Maybe
    I should be wearing one too :-) :-) :-) as I seem to get bit by
    the little buggers and swell up, while hubby is numb to insect bites.
    Not fair!
    
         So, to answer your question ... yes, indoor only cats can get
    fleas.  Either from cool, damp cellars, meeting with other kitties
    through screens or even from us.  The darned things are as durable
    and pesky as roaches!
    
                                      - Andrea

    Re: .14
    
    I seem to be a flea's idea of a snack too -- what do you use to
    stop the bites from itching?  
    

    One of the reasons for my question on the fleas is, I will be picking
    up #3 in about five weeks, I spoke with owner last night and she
    tells me all the kittens have fleas.  I do not want to bring the
    fleas into #1 and #2.  How should I handle this ? 

    Bathe the kitten with shampoo as soon as you get him home.  My
    Vet says the the fleas will drown if you keep enough water on
    the animal.  Maybe use a little tub - you won't even have to
    use flea shampoo - just regular kitty shampoo - we have tried
    this method and it works!  Make sure you take the crate that
    the kitten came home in right outside and clean it out and the
    towels that were in the crate - change your clothes - if you
    are in the person's home that has fleas, they will come into
    your car and your home on you and your shoes.  Maybe spray
    your car after you get your kitten settled and dry.
    Keep your eye on his ears - check for mites - or take the monkey
    from the previous owner right to the vet to be checked - that takes
    a little coordinating, but it's worth it if you have others at home.
    If therer are mites, they can medicate the ears on the spot and
    give you stuff to use at home.  Make sure if you bathe that you
    dry him thoroughly.  It's a pain, but worth it!!

If you ever open your windows for a breeze, the fleas are possible...they also
transport on people as well.

If your cats touch noses with outside visitors through the screen, they can
be exposed to FeLV...especially since unneutered males are quite capable of
spraying the screen...vaccinate and you will be sure your loved ones are
protected.

    Re: .15
    
    Being mightly allergic to all types of insect bites, I have afew
    suggestions in how to deal with the bites.
    
    1) My doctor [not vet |*) ] recommended Benadryl capsules.  1 or
    2 capsules right away, and then 1 or 2 every 2 to 3 hours.  I just
    recently tried this, and it seemed to take care of the itch pretty
    well, but I woke up in the middle of the night really itchy since
    I had stopped taking teh Benadryl at bedtime.
    
    2) As a child, my pediatrician made me take Baking Soda baths. 
    And, if it was inconvenient to take a bath, wash teh bites with
    Baking soda.
    
    3) I don't recall where I heard this one, but it does work quite
    well, rub the bites with Anti-Perspirant.  I guess when the bites
    "sweat", as your whole body does all day, that's what makes the
    bites itch.  By using teh anti-perspirant, you avoid the bites
    sweating.  This method works quite well, though not in hot and humid
    weather.
    
    4)  I also find that cutting all my fingernails off helps to keep
    me from doing major scratching damage while I sleep.
    
    5)  My best method though is avoidance -- I flea dip offen, and
    change flea collars every few months.  And even though there was
    no evidence of fleas in my apartment, I flea bombed anyway.
    
    Good luck, and I hope something works for you!
    
    	-Nancy
    

    Bailey and Amelia started getting Brewer's yeast sprinkled on their
    food due to the condition of their coats after being on Hills R/D
    food.  (They're off the R/D now but still getting Brewers yeast)
    The coat improved immediately and maybe its my imagination
    but I don't seem to see as much scratching as I used to.  B & A
    are indoor only cats so the flea problem is pretty small anyway.
    They also get bathed regularly due to our show schedule.
    
    Just a note:
    
    Please be careful about what flea products you use on kittens. 
    I seem to remember being told by vets, etc. that some flea products
    can be toxic to kittens under a certain age (unfortunately I can't
    seem to remember exactly what that age was).
    
    Jan

    RE: flea bites other insect bites, the best thing I found is a
    little witch hazel on the bite, it seems to draw the poison out
    and reduce swelling. I'm slightly allergic to my cat, and when she
    scratches me that area swells up like hives I get the same reaction
    to flea bites and mosquito's and the witch hazel seems to reduce
    the itch considerably!
    Marilyn

    Re. .15
    
    Karen - I use Cortaid.  It seems to keep the itching down, though
    it takes a few minutes to calm it down after you've started scratching.
    I haven't tried witch hazel (.21) or Benadryl (.19); they may be
    good too.
    
    Also, the vet told me not to put the flea collars on Fluffy for
    5 days and Loki until after his medicine is done (the 5th of July).
    I guess the stuff in the collars will make a sick cat sicker and
    will really cause a reaction on a kitty that has just been dipped.
    We're dusting Bigfoot (supposed to dust once a week, so this will
    carry him 'til the 5th) and then the boys get their Independence
    Day collars :-) :-) !!
    
                                       - Andrea

    I'm actually about to give up and flea bomb the house.  No wonder
    cats who are "allergic to fleas" can actually scratch some of their
    fur off.
    

    RE: .10

    My three are indoor cats.  In the past we've had problems with fleas
    but since I started them up on the 'yeast and garlic' powder haven't
    had a problem in over 4 years.  Not only that, one of them seems to
    have some time of nerve problem, uncontrollable twitching of the paws
    and back...etc.  I happened to notice that this only occurred when I'd
    stop giving him the y & g powder.  Come to find out, brewers yeast is
    high in vit. B, a vitamin good for the old nerves, seems to of cured
    that problem.
    
    Just recently though they seem to be having a problem with mites.  I am
    going to start treating them for that tonight.  Will enter a new note
    in the conference concerning this problem.

    Joe, How much yeast and garlic powder do you give them?  Is it in
    tablet form?  And where do you purchase it??  I sent away for a
    1lb bag of tablets from an ad in Cat Fancy last month.  I grind
    up two tablets into a fine powder (amounts to about 1 teaspoon),
    and put half of the mixture in the guys food dish each morning.
    
    Should I give them more??
    

    RE .25

    Hi Roberta,

    I mix approx. 1 tablespoon per 5 oz. wet food (Science Diet Maint.)
    twice a day.  Seems to do the trick.

    I purchase the powder at Nashua Aquarium (pet store) in S. Nashua N.H.,
    although I've seen the powder at many pet supply stores.

    Just recently I acquired a catalog from a place called Cherrybrook.  It
    is a wholesale dog & cat supply house.  Their prices seems excellent. 
    For instance, I purchased a product called Linatone at Nashua Aquarium. 
    An 8 oz. bottle was $7.95, price from Cherrybrook was $2.95, same exact
    product.  Price on 100 tablets brewers yeast/garlic is $1.70, 500
    tablets are $5.20.  They also sell the yeast powder, although I do not
    see yeast/garlic powder in the catalog.  If you want their catalog just
    call 800-524-0820 (in NJ 201-689-7979).

    I've just recently started using a powder similiar to the yeast &
    garlic that many in the area have had good results with.  I'll bring in
    the info on the product and mail you a copy tomorrow.
    
    Hope this info helps you out.

    Joe

    Thanks for the info, Joe.  I give my cats 1/2 can of Friskies Buffet
    each, both morning and evening.  So I guess I am using the right
    amount per feeding, just will increase the dose to twice per day.
    Do you have yeast & garlic powder or just yeast powder?  I hate
    crushing up the tablets; would much rather buy it i powder form
    instead.
    
    Please do send me the information tomorrow.  If we can have a flea-free
    home this summer, maybe by late winter I can justify the third kitty
    I have longed for so badly!
    
    /Roberta
    

    Eileen,
    
    What names have you picked out for your 3rd?  And, what sex are
    you getting, another boy like Stanley or a girl?
    
    
    Shelly