Conference misery::feline_v1

    
      Fleas!  How such tiny creatures can cause such big problems....!
    I have one cat that is allergic to fleas.  The rest of the cats its
    no problem,  but with Silvy, even one flea can make a lot of hair
    fall-out and itching.  You can't even see any on him, but what few are
    around will get him!   Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!!!  The more the better.
    Especially where they sleep.  If there is fleas, you'll be guaranteed
    to see them there.  Or the peppery debris, and white eggs.  If you
    have carpets sprinkle borax.  A flea comb is indespensible. Use it
    every day.  I don't use sprays on the animals themselves. There are
    many available.  The pyrethrum based ones are supposed to be safest.
    I spray carpets only when it's real bad.
      Hopefully no one is allergic to the shampoo you are using.  Some are
    harsher than others.  What is it's base ingredient?
      Good luck,  fleas are not fun,  if you live in the cold region, the
    worst is just about over.
    
                                  Denise and the gang of 8!

flea bombs are almost always NOT effective.  It is wiser to buy the spray
that is intended for the carpets and bedding.  Spray carpets well, spray
baseboards, stuffed furniture.  Keep the cats out while you are spraying
by putting them in carriers in the garage or something.

when bathing cats be very careful to remove all soap.  when they fight
and yell, it is tempting to think you have all soap out when you don't.
your gang sound like they need another bath, extra good rinse.  
but you won't cure the problem until their environment is clear.  Many
folks have had good luck spreading borax powder on the carpet and leaving
it there for 48 hours and then vacuuming, spreading more powder, etc.
always throw away the vacuum bag after each vacuuming.

if you have indoor-only cats, you can get this in control very quickly.
Generally two treatments, 1 week apart, will hold you for many months.
if you have outdoor cats, you will have to establish a regular schedule of
continuous control.  If this is the case, you need to clear all chemicals
with your vet to be sure cronic, continuous exposure will not make the
cats sick....or the humans.  You must also be aware that fleas can give
cats parasites - you should consider worming the cats - talk to your vet.
it is not alright to wait on this part, the parasites can be extremely
bad for the cat's long term health.

    Someone previously suggested putting flea powder in the vacumn cleaner
    bag, to avoid having to throw it out each time.
    
    The only way I've successfully gotten rid of fleas to to treat both the
    cats and bomb the house.  I use only products that the vet okays as
    safe (this shouldn't cost you for an office visit -- just call and
    ask his secretary.)
    

    I give my Kitty 50mgr of vitamin B1 daily, I mix this up in her
    food after pulverizing and 1 400 unit vitamin E every Sunday.  I
    do the same for dog Sandy.  Both animals were loaded with fleas
    last year, this year they have not been attacked by any.  I understand
    that fleas do not like the scent of Vitamin B1 and will avoid it.
    It is the ecxess of the vitamin that the body gets rid off, that
    takes care of the problem.  Vitamin B1 is watersoluble and has to
    be replenished daily.  The weekly dose of vitamin E takes care of
    fur problems or any other .  My Kitty is 16 years old and acts like
    a kitten.  During the wintertime I eill give her 25 mgr of the B
    vitamin but will keep up the dosage of vitamin E.  I hope that all
    this helps.  I swear by it.
            Greetings from two happy pets and their Mommy

    re: vitamin B1 - I was once told by a dermatologist to take 3 50mg tabs
    of B1/day to keep the mosquitos away.  He said it changes your body
    scent.  So there's some expert info to support your luck with the
    fleas.  I'm going to try it too because we have fleas also.
    
    Not seeing the fleas doesn't mean anything.  I haven't actually seen
    any fleas either, but I know we have them because both Bob and Halie
    have scabs on their necks from flea bites.  Bob is allergic to fleas
    and he is my early warning system.  Its time to treat the house again.
    
    If anyone happened to catch the repeat of "Dogs and Cats", Dr Migday
    talked about the new flea products on the market now.  They are
    growth inhibitors that make it impossible for the fleas to live out
    their normal life cycle.  Eggs don't hatch and the puppa (sp?) can't
    mature into adult fleas.  These products are much much much safer
    that the insecticides.  However, don't expect immediate results when
    you spray them around.  They aren't supposed to kill the fleas right
    away.  Talk to your vet or talk to one of the breeders about how to
    order some of this from the vet supply places.
    
    Good luck.
      Nancy DC

    
      Vitamin B-1 is the major ingredient in Brewer's Yeast.....
    
    
    JM

    Thank you all for your responses!  
    
    I am defintely going to try the B1 & E vitamin.  Also, I think I know
    what Borax is - isn't it a cleaning detergent?  If not, please correct
    me.  I'm leaning to trying this as it seems it wouldn't be as harmful
    as a bomb or spray because of the chemicals.
    
    The shampoo that I bought from the vet's is "Microdec" (sp?)  The vet
    also supplies "cetifog" for flea bombs.  Has anyone ever used either of
    these two products.
    
    Truthfully, I have noticed some improvement in my kids since yesterday. 
    Ralph and Kiley are still scratching but not as bad and definetely not
    as hard.  
    
    If all the above don't work I'll call in the "professionals."  
    
    My other thought is maybe the cool weather will kick in soon (I can
    only dream - especially on a day like today - hot & humid!!)
    
    Anyway, I thank each of very much and so don't the kids!
    
    Sincerely,
    
    
    
    Nancy, Ralphie, Alice, and Kiley 

BORAX brand detergent exists, however, the powdered borax is used as an
additive to detergents to "soften" the water and make the detergent work
better.  You DON'T want to spread the detergent around....it can cause
a real allergic reaction in cats and people who may inhale it.  You do
want the pure borax powder.  You should be able to find the pure borax
near the detergents in a market....use the yellow pages and shop by
phone until you find it --- it is only available where it is popular.
If it's any help....my mother used it to wash my father's work clothes -
it is a very effective tool to clean heavily soiled clothing.  A so-called
"blue collar" neighborhood market would be a likely place to find it.


			Good Luck

    I found BORAX at stop & shop, however, Paula Scott's (HDLITE::SCOTT) 
    husband picked up a 100 lb bag of it for around $25 which is VERY
    economical.  I think he got it at a feed and grain place.  You could
    ask her.
    
    Having found a flea on Bumpy-tail last night I guess I have to bite-
    the-bullet and start an all out campaign.  Its tough with the house
    on the market but I'm just going to spread the BORAX and cross my
    fingers and leave it down for 48 hrs.  
      N

    I have decided not to use the growth inhibitors for a few years.
    I am worried about what their effect might be over a long period
    of time.  Call me paranoid, but chemicals disturb me.
    
    Borax has been the solution to my flea problem.  Apply the powder
    liberally to all carpets and furniture.  Leave on for 48 hours,
    then vacuum and toss out the bag.  Put down more Borax, and then
    vacuum the next day.  I continued the Borax and vacuuming every
    day for three weeks, and knock on wood, I didn't find one single
    flea when I bathed Moody for the show.  When I got back, I checked
    everyone over and found NO FLEAS!!  I plan to continue to use the
    Borax and vacuuming method.  
    
    Jo