Christian knows me all too well.
To the OP: I'm very sorry to hear your furry friend has pesky hitchhikers. Having a small herd of mammals myself in addition to my invertebrates, I despise fleas as well.
Here's the deal with fleas.
First of all, the adults are the
smallest portion of the flea population, only making up about 1/4 of the fleas in your home. The rest are all at different life stages...egg, larva, etc. A flea bomb will NOT kill all the fleas in your home, just the adults and MAYBE some stages of larva or eggs - however the pupa stage of the flea is darn near invincible. Bombs are actually rather outdated in terms of flea control, and due to the fact that adult and juvenile fleas make up such a small percentage of the flea population, flea baths are downright useless. In fact, all a bath will do is kill the live fleas on the cat - once the cat dries, more live fleas from the environment will just hop back on. Short of a nuclear bomb (and I'm not even sure that would be effective), the only way to eliminate ALL the fleas is to treat the animal in the home and clean the home religiously for 3 consecutive months. This breaks the life cycle of the flea, and destroys the infestation.
Christian was dead on the money with his recommendation for Revolution. I love this product, especially for cats. First of all, it's alcohol based, so it doesn't leave a greasy residue behind on the animal or your hands. Secondly, it also is good for killing ear mites and preventing heartworm disease, which is spread via mosquito bite, so it has other added benefits as well. Check with your veterinarian for availability. If your vet doesn't carry it - have them write you a prescription, as it is available from all of the major online pet pharmacies. It's a topical treatment that you apply once a month. It is VERY important that you apply it religiously for 3 consecutive months to break the flea life cycle. To prevent any accidental exposure to your T, wear gloves while applying the product, then wash your hands immediately after. In all my years being a vet tech (14 and counting), I have never had a tarantula death that I could even remotely blame on veterinarian prescribed topical flea products.
Do
not, whatever you do, buy an over the counter topical flea preventative from a pet store chain or grocery store. Even if they claim to be Frontline or Revolution. Get the meds from your vet. The reasoning? Over the counter "off brands" are often pyrethrum based, and the dosage is not very accurate...and in cats, can be downright toxic. When I worked at an animal emergency vet, I saw probably at least 5 cases or more weekly of cats that had been treated with over the counter flea medications that came in with skin burns where the product was applied at the least, and at the worst were convulsing or comatose due to chemical overdose. Also, the more name brand products such as Frontline and Revolution have been the targets of illegal duplication as of late - meaning that some unscrupulous drug manufacturers are putting an inferior product in a Frontline box and marketing it to the masses in pet store chains and grocery stores. Bottom line: If it didn't come from your vet, or a reputable pet pharmacy, do not trust the product.
Christian was also spot in on advising you to vacuum. If you have carpet, vacuum at least once a day all the areas you can, and weekly pull out your furniture and vacuum underneath and behind. Fleas like dark areas, so nooks, crannies, underneath and behind couches...yep, that's where they'll be. Wash
everything that isn't bolted down in hot soapy water if your cat has been in contact with it. Contrary to popular belief, fleas don't hop off your animal to lay eggs/breed/etc...they do everything on the cat. Eat, breed, poop...you get the picture. So think of your furry friend as a little salt and pepper shaker...every step it takes shakes off more flea eggs and flea feces wherever it goes. Pleasant mental picture, isn't it?
I hope this information is helpful to you, and I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors to rid your house of these unwelcome guests. If you want to discuss products at length or need other pointers, feel free to pm me.
Jen
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