Hi Karen While I don’t have any reason to believe there is a link between use of the Frontline Flea treatment and Cole’s problems, it is probably wise to be cautious with a medication which is absorbed internally and probably processed through the liver, etc. Just hypothetically, it might be possible that cats with FeLV which is in abeyance (their body has managed to hold off on the worst of the problems) may have the balance tipped to the negative by something that might stress their body and which might, in other cats, not cause a problem.
However, I definitely agree you MUST control the fleas for Ash. As you know, one of the worst effects of the FeLV virus is to cause an anemia, and a flea infestation will no doubt hasten or worsen that problem. Fleas also often pass on the Bartonella parasite, which infects and destroys red cells in the host animal and causes other problems. If Ash is doing okay, you don’t want to tip that scale. I recently picked up 3 stray kittens who had fleas. They were very small (3-4 weeks old) so I didn’t trust any of the absorbed treatments since I figured their little livers may well be damaged by such early exposure. I therefore purchased a flea spray which was supposed to remain on them, but again, I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want that type of exposure. I simply bathed them, sprayed them with the flea spray, killed the fleas by hand as they leapt off into the sink, and combed out the rest, and then I washed the kittens completely off with organic shampoo. Despite washing them off, I found a few remaining fleas for the next day or so but they were all dead or dying. When I go home tonight, I will get the name of the product for you, but I suspect you can do this with any of the spray on flea products. One thing I did years ago when we got a very bad flea infestation (thanks to a woman who insisted the cats I was taking from her to adopt out were defleaed already!), was that once I washed each cat, I had previously made arrangements for friends to take one of them for a few weeks. My husband and I were doing some heavy duty fostering at the time, so we had about 25 cats in the house. One by one or two by two, I cleaned them off, bundled them off to friends I had prearranged with, and then when the whole house was empty, we washed whatever we could, and we used some heavy duty flea killer on carpets, etc. and my husband and I spent a few nights at a motel room. We never had any more flea problems after that. You only have one cat so if the problem is bad enough, I suggest something along the lines of what we did. Find a friend or a relative who will take Ash for a week or so, when he’s out, wash everything in sight, and buy some high powered flea stuff and spray the house. Leave for a few days. Hopefully, it works as well for you as it did for us. Amani From: Felvtalk [mailto:felvtalk-boun...@felineleukemia.org] On Behalf Of Karen Harshbarger Sent: August-30-16 3:24 PM To: Felvtalk Subject: [Felvtalk] Urgent help with flea treatment question As most of you know, we lost our Cole to feline leukemia and liver complications this month. I don't have time to morn my dear sweet Cole as I am struggling to save his brother Ash. Ash tested positive again this month (4 years ago tested positive once and then negative twice). However his blood work shows everything in the normal range and he is eating and playing and going to the bathroom and seems healthy, so the vet has recommended no treatment or preventatives at this time. They only suggest another blood work check in one to 4 months and flea treatment. Ash and his brother have fleas. I know I must treat but that seems like when Cole started going downhill----when I treated for fleas with Frontline twice. Frontline did nothing for the fleas, even though I threw away all beds and blankets and cleaned their living quarters. I fear that the fleas or treatment or both did something to Cole to take his life. But I know I have to treat fleas too. I have tried combing everyday, but that does not work either. Has anyone used Vectra flea treatment for cats. It has worked well for me for other cats, but I fear that it might be too strong for our Ash with the feline leukemia. As I said I used Frontline originally cause I was told it was safer because it could be used on young kittens even. Ash is 4 1/2 years old and I know I have to do something about the fleas. Please let me know if you have used Vectra flea treatment. Or if you use something else successfully or don't use flea treatment at all with feline leukemia. Ash never goes outside, so I don't know where they got the fleas unless at vet or we brought the fleas in from outside on shoes, etc. Please Help----this is urgent as I feel I must do something to get rid of fleas that already seem out of hand since 2 treatments of Frontline did not work, and I am so worried about anything with Ash with his positive on the feline leukemia test at the vet and after loosing Cole. My heart just cant loose another of my fur babies. Please Help!!! Thank you, Karen and kitties Ash and BJ and angle Cole
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