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I comb my cat periodically for fleas,
and for about a month or two I've been finding small amounts of what looks like flea dirt, but the thing is that the amount doesn't increase, as if the fleas aren't breeding. I'm pretty sure it's flea dirt, though, because I took a bit of it, put it on a wet paper towel, and it turned bright red. Could they be scabs or something?
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Member 1089405
on Feb 3rd 2012
in Worms & Parasites
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It's not out of the realm of possibility that it could be bits of little scabs flaking off, but any way you look at it this poor kitty is losing blood and has some kind of unpleasant skin problem and whether the cause is parasites, fungus, bacteria, or allergies, she deserves to be seen and treated by a vet for it.
Over the counter flea treatments are not as effective and often not as safe as a prescription flea treatment from your vet, so even if you comb out a live hopping flea and are certain that is the source of the blood it's best to let a vet take care of it if your previous efforts have failed. The fleas can only breed to a certain number before they start giving the kitty anemia (check her gums, they should be nice and pink, not white or pale lilac colored) so the population of fleas won't keep growing to the point the cat looks like a black wriggling cloud out of a cartoon, don't wait for it to get that bad.
Cali
answered on 2/4/12.
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"flea dirt" are scabs caused by multiple bites. Much like what you peel off your knee after a bad skid on concrete. A flea comb at this point would be like putting a bandaid on a gunshot. Soon the fleas will infest everything. Warm weather speeds this up as well as having not the tip top healthy animal to feed on. Gets better. They suck on blood untill they are like 10 times their normal size, then drop off to lay hundreds of eggs. Which hatch in nine days. Not only its irritating to your pet, you too will find their bites unpleasant. So if that math is disturbing...1flea=100+fleas=900fleas in nine days is bad. Fleas carry stuff. Tape worms are one. They grow a few feet in your gut and multiply by breaking into segments that resemble rice but move alittle bit for a while. They pass out the hosts rectum poopin.g or not. Kinda gross when they show up on your lap. Even grosser wen the fleas fill your own guts with worms. get an exterminator have your vet treat your pets
Max
answered on 2/6/12.
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I agree with both other responses, but also wanted to tell you I have used PETfection Bug Spray on cats and it seems to work quite well at keeping fleas away. It is 100% Organic and Non Toxic and will also help heal up previous bites. You could spray this all over her and rub down into the fur and skin to help. Hopefully it would kill off the fleas or whatever it is and prevent it from coming back! I know it does help block out infection too. Best of luck!
Nika
answered on 2/9/12.
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