My kittens have fleas!

[bugeyedmonster]

 My kittens have fleas! They have had two Dawn baths Sunday.  I have dusted their catio with diatomaceous earth.  I also dusted them.  

Now the lost dog, Bud, might be sick. 

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed now.  I have just started a new job.  

At least Irving Animal Services actually answered the phone when I called.   They are technically closed Mondays.  The woman I spoke with said that she would leave a message for Beth, about Bud.  I will try to call her tomorrow.  But they have a vet on-site, and I might be able to get him in Wednesday, when I am off. 

I am rethinking this fostering thing.  I now have to pay for flea stuff, and diatomaceous earth, and I really can't afford to.   

Sigh.  

And I still owe the dentist.  

Anyway, still trying to sell art via my Etsy and Instagram.  

Comments

[conuly]

Hm. Fleas kill kittens, so you do have to deal with this. However, it may not be necessary to buy flea medication.

You already have the DE. If you can afford it, I'd recommend getting some Gentrol spray - it doesn't kill bugs, but it interrupts their reproductive cycle and prevents immature bugs from developing. It's absolutely crucial, imo, in getting rid of any infestation, of any bug. (Obviously never use it outside.)

However, with or without the Gentrol, you can wash all the kittens' bedding in hot water, and use a vacuum on all your carpets and against all your baseboards. And you can wash the kittens thoroughly. That's the most important part. If you kill all the fleas on them every day, and vacuum daily as well, you can make a serious dent in the population without having to use flea medication... which of course has its own risk on kittens.

The catio is the problem if you're not using medication. If you can get the fleas off the cats, and clear your house, they shouldn't get re-infested if they don't go outside.

[bugeyedmonster]

Thanks.

Though trying to totally clean up my parents house is... difficult.

Dad doesn't clean, mom isn't physically able to. Dad always makes a mess. And my parents have too much stuff. I have been trying to clean up, but there's a limit to how much I can clean up on my own.

I have scattered diatomaceous earth on part of the living room carpet. Had to buy more to get the rest.

And I went ahead and bought flea spray, and more diatomaceous earth, even if I really don't have the money for it.