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emphysema and cat flea treatment.

loveletter profile image
15 Replies

Hi I am 53 years old and have emphysema with 52 percent lung function

Main problem seems to be breathlessness .

My 2 cats especially the long haired ginger have a very bad flea problem at the moment.

House seems to be full of them with fleas getting on members of the family.

The cats had front line put on them 10 days ago but have been too scared to treat the house and have just steamed cleaned a couple of times and been hovering a couple of days.

Still cats full of fleas and the house as well.

I have heard acclaim spray for the house is very good.

I could go out the house for a couple of hours and get my son to spray but as the spray is active up to 12 months will I be ok with using it in my home because of my breathing problems.

Has any one with breathing problems used any products for cat fleas and been ok.

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loveletter profile image
loveletter
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15 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Fleas can be a real problem but maybe Frontline doesn't suit your cats. We use Advocate but you can ask your Vet. Not sure about spraying but get someone to hoover daily especially around the edges. Perhaps your son could spray but check first. X

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Could be a problem, one of my triggers is household products, especially automatic air freshener.

Have you any known triggers which would indicate a problem.

Can you do one room at time.

Do you know if the odour stays for 12 hours.

The lady who runs the Cattery I use tells me that quite a few of her customers say that Frontline is just not effective. She recommends (as does my vet ) Advocate & it certainly worked quickly when I used it on one of my cats eighteen months ago & we haven't had a problem since - also my other cat didn't catch any fleas. Obviously, with your health issues, you will need to check first before you use anything though - & I'm not sure about Acclaim for the same reason although I have used it myself.

Hi to be effective you need to get the spray can from the vets. I have used it before and just make sure I am out of the house for half an hour or so after it. I have had no problems. It is ongoing treatment and lasts 6 months but I certainly can't smell anything nor does it make my condition worse. x

loveletter profile image
loveletter in reply to

Thanks that has reassured me a little.Think I will ring local vets in the morning and ask them if they think it will be safe for me to use in my home

camping-girl profile image
camping-girl

About 15 years ago I had 3 cats, & I used the waxy flea collars on them and combed them with an old fashioned steel nit comb, kept them clear. I used the blue Raid (available in supermarkets) on the house, however I didn't have COPD then. Maybe whatever you use you could do one room at a time. Hope you manage to get rid of them

Oh you need to vacuum first and make sure you spray round everywhere - the carpet particularly at the edges, sofas, cushions, curtains, bedding etc. Fleas tend to breed in dark places ie at the sides of chair and cushions and you need to get the flea eggs as well. If you miss one place then they have a chance to breed again so you might need to do it more than once.

I have a cat and my sister has a dog and everyone have been saying that fleas have been a big problem this time and that Frontline and other products aren't working as well. I have found this to be true. All you can do is try and keep on top of it. Maybe a flea collar (but get a decent one) would be a good idea? x

loveletter profile image
loveletter in reply to

I know all this but what I do not know is is it safe to use these sprays in someone with breathing problems. Thanks for your reply

Scouser58 profile image
Scouser58

Hello loveletter,,,,,yes the flea problem is everywhere,,,my cats keep on scratching,,,and they too have had the spot on treatment and it does not seem to have helped them any,,,,,,,the spray I think will adhere to the carpets and cloth furnishings,,,,as this is where the blasted critters hide,,,waiting for their next jump for a meal,,,,,,and yes they have even jumped onto me,,,nasty things,,,,,,I have not heard of the acclaim spray,,,I thought it was a vet treatment,,,,,,but what do I know,,,,,,well keep on itching/scratching and hoping there is a remedy out there,,,,,ttfn from Karen.

Myminxie profile image
Myminxie in reply toScouser58

Hi, can I say, listening to all your problems out there, I was same with having two cats, and asthma probs, I tried the flea treatment on them, didn't work, got flea spray for house, cost a fortune , hurt my chest, lots of cans, didn't work, then, got cider vinegar, diluted it in a spray bottle, wow, amazing, after 3 days, going over and over carpets etc etc, and hoovering every day, it's worked, it was quiet smelly in my house, smelled like a fish and chip shop, but who cares, please try, and let me know if it worked for you, ime sure it will as I tried lots,,,,

johnjaykatieabi profile image
johnjaykatieabi

Hi your son needs to spray house but hoover well first I had simpler problem the smell starts to go after a couple of hours so you should be OK to return after three hours depending on weather or not house sprays affect you has we'll unfortunately you may have to rehome the cats

Azure_Sky profile image
Azure_Sky

George became infested with fleas a few months ago. The Frontline wasn't working. We now use Advantage which has been very effective. Fleas will be killed wherever than animal goes. I did use flea spray as well though.

If you ask for a prescription for Advocate you can get it much cheaper from a chemist.

I get Advantage from Amazon without a prescription.

loveletter profile image
loveletter in reply toAzure_Sky

Thanks for all the info but all I want to know is is it safe to spray and use in the home where someone who had copd lives thanks

123098 profile image
123098

I have two cats and they never have fleas because they are house cats and they have a run outSide with a big shed full of toys etc they can come and go as they please. The reason is I am surrounded by very busy roads . But I really sympathize with you when I lived in the country I had a cat that went outside and he was always full of fleas . I was told that lemon juice rubbed on their fur Helps but unfortunately he died . I think if you search the net you may find advice that you could use on the cats homeopathic things other then that the best person to ask is the vet good luck xx

Sharp5Flat13 profile image
Sharp5Flat13

Since fleas live and breed in the environment (only get on the cats to feed), it’s important to treat the house as much as possible. Years and years ago I did work as a veterinary technician and I recall one treatment was a nontoxic growth hormone that would break the flea lifecycle. When pupated they literally break the “cocoon” immaturely and die. Fleas are the primary host of the tapeworm as well.

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