[GAMZu]

We found a kitty on our block. He was going into people's houses and they were all kicking him out so we took him in. He was wearing a flea collar. No info on him.

I want to know how to tell if he has fleas. I want to remove the collar and put one with actual info so that if he runs away, he can be returned this time.

Secondly, are there any "lost and found" sites for pets? If we can find his owner, I'll give him back. Otherwise we will just keep him.

Also, how can I tell his age? He isn't fully grown. Is there a site that can help me with that?

 

[canadiancritter]

Just look through his fur you should be able to see them if he has any.

 

[VanillaRat]

Check his fur for "flea dirt" (flea poop).If you find any,you have fleas.Also sifting through his fur,you may find them.Get a flea comb which is perfect for this.Remember if he has fleas,he has to be treated...but so does the WHOLE house and any other cats/dogs you may have.

As for finding him...put up ads saying you found him and maybe report him to the SPCA and see if anyone reported him missing.

 

[GAMZu]

What would the fleas or flea dirt look like? Size? Color? Shape?

 

[VanillaRat]

Flea dirt is small,tiny brown or black dirt like stuff...here is a picture!

http://z.about.com/d/vetmedicine/1/G/F/W/flea-dirt-hairDrZak-sm2.jpg

Fleas are also very tiny and will look like this...

http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/fleas.jpg

 

[GAMZu]

He has mostly black fur, and the white is on his belly so he doesn't really allow me to look there unless I pet him to sleep. But I took a baby wipe and those black dots came off on it. I'm pretty sure he has fleas.

I read up on flea removal and I don't think I can handle him in a bath, or that he will stay still enough for combing. He definately won't allow me to comb all his fur.

Does anyone have personal experience with fleas? Should I use Advantage?

 

[pinkie1205]

You should use advantage or frontline. DO NOT use the junk you buy at the grocery store or walmart.

I myself swear by revolution and you can order that from www.petshed.com. It'll take a week or so to come in but it works really well.

if you have the extra money you could always take him to a groomers to get flea dipped.

 

[GAMZu]

Revolution seems the easiest on the pocket so I think I'll go with that.

How should I treat the fleas? Is three months enough? Do I treat once and see if they are gone, or must I use the entire 3-month pack?

Also, how do I de-flea the house??

 

[Dustette]

the best way to check for fleas is their poop. And so easy too for kittens:
grab the cat, put a piece of white paper on table or floor under the cat, and now ruffle up his fur as if you wanted to make dandruff fall off. There may be sand and other dirt things on an outside cat BUT flea poop is dried blood, so put some drops of water on the paper, and let the water slide off a bit, if you get tiny red streaks, it's flea poo for sure!
.
For the house, there's loads of different products, my parents always used the "bombs" where you have to take the animals out of the house, put the bombs and leave the house for 3h and then aerate. the bombs put a flea killing product everywhere that also kills the eggs i think.

 

[VanillaRat]

All bedding,clothing items,carpet...etc,etc needs to be cleaned and treated as well as the cat.

 

[wishbone]

Hoping she will be found by the owner. Try to post some poster on the vet clinics or in a close animal shelter.

 

[pickle_mob]

theres also a thing called diatom dust you put down on carpet and then vaccum the excess up, but its really dangerous for you or the cat to breathe in so you have to have the cat in another room, and you have to wear one of those docter masks. and if your going to put flea stuff on the cat thats a liquid please follow the directions the poison is really toxic and cats lick themselves alot i wish you luck with the de-fleaing its really hard to get rid of them once there established well in the home