Continually washing

[crapmemory]

My eldest cat is 15 years old and just recently she has started to wash herself almost continually. I have also noticed this week that when she gets off my bed (or wherever she has been sleeping) tiny bits of black and white grit are on the covers. Any ideas? TIA

[ruthann58]

put some of the black grit on a piece of wet tissue if they leave a red /brown stain they are flea poo could be why she is washing so much

[ann_h]

Absolutely - black=poo, white=eggs. Flipping nuisance! Difficult to treat with spot-on if you have several cats as they will wash it off eachother. Your vet may be able to give you a systemic medicine (I know, it's not my favourite but better in this case). Brush cat outside if he'll let you.
Wash linens, vacuum the sofa cushions etc especially crevices every other day for a week to catch all the eggs/larvae.
x

[boxtops]

Get a diagnosis CM - take some of the "grit" to the vet with the cat so the vet can make sure it's fleas - then it's treatable. Don't delay, in case she starts to scratch. You don't want flea-bites either!

[Prudie]

Definitely follow ruthann's advice. If the black bits become dark reddish when wet then it's flea poo, dried blood basically.

[crapmemory]

Thanks for your replies. Will try the wet tissue test tomorrow when she has woken up.

[crapmemory]

Just thought. If it is fleas can I treat her myself as I really can't afford a vets bill at the moment?

[Prudie]

There are off-the-shelf products available cheaper than the vets but maybe not so effective. Years ago I just used to use a flea comb and drop them into water and washing up liquid - instant death.

[crapmemory]

Did the tissue test and it is fleas! Can't understand how she got them, she hardly ever goes out. the younger cat is out all the time and he seems ok. Can the fleas live or bite people and should I get a spray for the house?

[ruthann58]

she will have probably picked them up off your other cat you need to treat them both ,yes they will bite you but dont panic , get some frontline treat the cats the fleas wont live on you they will just hop on you have a meal and hop off as long as you have the cats they will hop back onto the cats and the frontline will kill them, i have only ever had to treat the house once when we first moved here , the previous owners had lost their dog about 6months before we moved in so we were left a nice legacy lol, when the concil man came he said only to treat the edges and along the front of the furniture as they dont live in the middle of the carpets only round the edges , keep up to date with your frontline and you will be fine you can buy frontline spot on online i find the spot on so simple to use a quick squirt on the back of the neck and they are none the wiser

[237SJ]

There`s a £5 discount voucher doing the rounds at Lloyds pharmacy at the moment. If you buy online from www.lloydspharmacy.com/petmedicine the voucher code is PETS123

[pastafreak]

Lloyds is really expensive...even with the voucher.
I have just ordered from here for my dog....

http://www.viovet.co...._139_41/category.html

[piggynose]

you could try putting her a wheelie bin for a hour or so, that might cure it.

: )

[crapmemory]

The young cat has got fleas now (obviously) but he is a HUGE, strong bu**er and between myself and my son, we can't hold him to treat him. Any suggestions?

[pastafreak]

You could try wrapping him in a towel so he can't struggle. It only takes a second or two to apply the Frontline. By the way-is that what you got?

[crapmemory]

Going to buy Frontline today. I bought Bob Martin spray. Mistake.....

[ruthann58]

post him head first down the sleeve of a coat with an elasticated cuff all of his feet will be contained i found with a towel they manage to get out

[ruthann58]

post him from the shoulder of the coat down to the cuff very undignified but it works