Please help, we have recently moved to the country side and one of our cats has what I believe is rabbit fleas, they look like normal fleas but are all over his ears, I have an appointment with a local vet on Wednesday, would go sooner but I'm on benefits and don't get any money till then, one of my kc cavs has started itching and licking her legs red raw so the fur is coming off. Is there some sort of spray I can make up with my essential oils to help ease the itching and make them feel better. I have 3 dogs and 3 cats and obviously trying to keep my infected cat apart to help prevention.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated
Ah, yes, we know that problem well. The young rabbits are being born at this time of year and the cats are out on the hunt. Likewise, one of ours who loves hunting rabbits has caught many over the past few weeks, and likewise he's come back with fleas on his ears.
A flea comb and a pair of tweezers is what we use.
You'll need a sink or bowl of water to hand too.
Comb out what fleas you can and as soon as they come off on the comb, put the comb into the water and knock the fleas off. Once the fleas are in the water they can't jump as the surface tension holds them fast. Repeat until you've combed off as many as you can. Likewise, use the tweezers to pull off the ones you can see attached around the ear, which may involve rooting around in the fur a bit too depending on the length of your cats fur.
Once your cat is as free of fleas as you can get him/her, you can let them go again.
As for the fleas this is the nasty bit... you have to get each one and place them on the back of your thumb nail (the water should hold them there long enough) and then using your other thumb nail crush them. You can't squash them with the soft part of your fingers cos they're too tough.
A vet will likely just sell you some flea spray or spot-on stuff, but that's not really any good when the cats keep on going sticking their heads down rabbit holes, there's just too many fleas.
A little watered down tea trea oil dabbed on lightly to the ears with a cotton pad will help ease the itching for the cat, just be careful not to get any in or near their eyes and don't get them too wet (cos cats generally don't agree with water :D)
Sorry, it's a bit gruesome, but desperate times take desperate measures, and it's something we get nearly every year.
Hope that helps.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Good advice Giles! Though we were given a kitten once who was COVERED in them (poor thing) and it would have taken forever to deal with them that way!!!
Be aware that fleas migrate all over - into soft furniture and carpets particularly, so be prepared to treat those too. Daily vacuuming is essential until you are sure there aren't any about. We use flea collars on our cats. The fleas roam the body but have to drink from the corners of the mouth or tears, so travel under the collar and get clobbered by the chemical in the collar - do read the instructions carefully!
The other thing is flea eggs, often laid down the sides of the spine - tiny black dots! They must be dealt with too - but the vet will explain it to you.
Best of luck!
Flea collar and Tea Tree Oil is the way forward. The oil is available as an animal-friendly preparation (works really well on one of our dogs when she scrapes her belly on stubble).
As Caroline says - hoover - very important.
David:)
You'd never get our cats to wear collars. It'd drive 'em barmy. 🙂
All Love and Reiki Hugs