While there are more than 2,500 species of fleas on the earth, the most common species to bother humans is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Since cat fleas are so common, it is not uncommon for domestic cats to become infested with them. If your cat seems to have fleas, it is a good idea to take them to the vet. Here are the four main steps a vet will typically take when a cat presents with fleas.
Step 1: Administer a fast-acting pesticide.
Fleas tend to make cats itchy and miserable. So, to give your kitty some quick relief, the vet will often administer a fast-acting pesticide. Your cat will eat this pill, and any adult fleas on their skin will begin dying quite quickly. Many cats experience instant relief when this happens and respond by taking a nap.
Step 2: Administer a longer-acting pesticide.
The pesticides often used for rapid knockdown of an active flea infestation generally only kill adult fleas and not their eggs. So, your vet will likely also give your cat a longer-acting medication that will kill any flea eggs once they hatch. These meds often also kill flea larvae. Most stay active in your cat's system for a month or more, so they do a thorough job of fighting fleas.
Step 3: Administer a dewormer.
Fleas are not worms, but strangely enough, they can carry worms. Tapeworm eggs, in particular, like to hitch a ride on fleas. So, if your cat swallows a flea, they could end up ingesting a tapeworm egg in the process. Your vet will therefore administer deworming medication to clear up any tapeworm infestation that may have resulted from your cat's bout of fleas.
Step 4: Treat any skin infections.
Your vet will look over your cat's skin for any sign of infection. It is not uncommon for cats to develop skin infections after a flea infestation. They might scratch at their skin so much they create wounds and introduce infectious bacteria to those wounds. A vet can apply an antibiotic ointment, prescribe an oral antibiotic, or both.
It is not uncommon for cats to get fleas. If this happens to your cat, don't be too worried. If you can take them to a local vet, they'll receive the care they need to not only get rid of the fleas but also any other problems the fleas may have introduced.
Contact a local veterinarian to learn more.
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