First of all "hi", I've just joined this forum as I brought home two kittens last night (8 weeks old, very fluffy), and am looking for advice on worming / flea treatment.

The lady I got them from was using Frontline and Johnsons worming syrup. I'd like to continue to treat for both at home (to save money) however I wanted some opinions on this. I "think" Frontline is the same as some vets use to am assuming it's good quality (please tell me if you don't agree) so I really just wanted opinions on worming treatments. Is there a good quality one I can get without going to the vets? Or is it one of those things that is worth spending out for?

Also do you just follow the instructions or is there a set of rules as to how often I need to do both of these treatments?

The cats are going to the vets on Friday for a check up and their first of two vaccinations so want to go prepared rather than being conned into spending more money than necessary.

Thanks

Lou

Hi Loulabella1, if you've got a decent vet then they should give you good advice on what products you should be using with your kittens and not push 'their' brand over another.
However, my parents have always used 'Frontline' or 'Bob Martin' over the years (and swear by them) and I myself use 'Bob Martin' products. I can't comment on the 'Johnson' treatments as I've never used or heard of them.
In general the best thing to do is search online for reviews on each of the products and decide for yourself which ones you want to use.
As to the instructions (on the bottle/tube) just follow the directions and you can't go wrong.
Good luck and I hope your 'Fluffy' kittens make great dusters
Only joking

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Simba9952

Through a Cat's eye, all things belong to the Cat !

Thank you for your reply, unfortunately when I got home yesterday I noticed they both had fleas (despite the lady I got them from swearing they had been treated with frontline), anyway the only place open was Asda so I got Bob Martis spot on (the only one they had), last night found a couple of alive fleas but this morning when I checked their bed the fleas I found were dead. Will take the packet with me to the vets tomorrow and see what they say about when they can next be treated. I've got laminate floor except on my stairs and they've been on my sofa, do I need to treat the carpet / sofa? Their bed is currently a box with a blanket so I can wash the blanket and replace the box. Does this all sound ok? Can't stand the thought of fleas in my house!

I would also use Frontline Combi for flea treatment and prevention. In the past I have used off the shelf products which I have found to be a waste of money as they kill the flea but then the eggs hatch and you are back to square one.

Wormer you have to be careful, the vet did tell me the ingredient it should contain, apparently not all off the shelf worming treatment includes it.

I prefer to get wormer and feal treatment from the vets as they get a check up at the same time.

Sue

i am no expert but there have been alot of people saying lately that frontline isnt working on the fleas anymore as they have become immune to it!! so that might be why your cats still had them despite being treated.

i have also been told bob martin stuff is rubbish and potentially harmful to your cat. again i cant remember the specifics but i am sure there are other people that can tell you or you might be able to search for the threads.

personally i use advocate. this is a spot on i got from my vets. it treats fleas and most worms. i was told to use this monthly and then about twice a year giving them a full wormer.

hth

Hi
Once you have found a brand you're happy with I've found these lot very reasonably priced - next day delivery and everything - and I think they can dispense prescription medicines in certaiun circumstances as well though they need you to tell them about your animals.

Hyperdrug - Hyperdrug, Home of the Equine Pharmacy, Canine Chemists and Pigeon Pharmacy, pet medicines, wormers, and flea treatments

to be honest I think the fleas round here are immune to frontline- I can't give my babies another chemical flea treatment til the end of the month now so I've been using diatomaceous earth for the cats and garlic in my dog food to add to my arsenal - my vet recommends stronghold but I have to say it pees me off the way that the top 3 brands come from the 3 main companies I like to boycott. I expect I'll probably have to swallow my own morals come December though, with the central heating on I can't afford to be sentimental when it comes to fleas :/

My mum gave me a good tip - she said don't ever bother putting flea collars on cats, cut them in half and put them in the hoover bag

And yeah, never buy supermarket flea stuff or wormers (ie Bob Martin) - It might not kill your pet but it definitely won't kill fleas. And it smells rank. xx

Thanks for all this info everyone, our two are due flea and worm treatment, and I'm glad I read all this first as I shall be researching it fully now

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CrazyCatGirl

To the OP - if your kittens don't have fleas (run a "nit" comb under their armpits and chin if you're not sure) then you may as well continue with the Frontline at the recommended dose at least to use it up while you have it, it is a good product just I think down South with the mild winters we have monster fleas these days

sorry, just read ur post properly and i see that FL wasn't workin and ur BM solved the problem for now (amazing!) but yh I would recommend askin your vet about alternatives next time they're due a treatment xx

God, I had no idea about the Bob Martin products. My parents cats and my Simba do not seem to have any issues with it, but I'm going to stop using it anyway, just incase.

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Simba9952

Through a Cat's eye, all things belong to the Cat !

I used some that had been given to me by a neighbour. I'd used it on dogs before and tbh found it not to work. I put it on the kittens and the little girl manage to lick a bit where it had dribbled down and started drooling badly, plus the little boy scratched the area, licked his paw and was lapping. Both looked very upset. Straightaway I gave them a tiny amount of cows milk (I know but it's all I had) and googled "Bob Martin Cat" to find reviews like this Reviews on Bob Martin Flea Products Look at tests, reports and read reviews: dooyoo.co.uk and this Reviews for Bob Martin Flea Kill and this facebook group Bob Martin Flea Products - very much NOT a fan club!! - needless to say I bathed them both thoroughly and never used it again. I rang the vet and they said I'd done the right thing with the little amount of milk and bathing them - also that BM doesn't usually work, and not to worry but to bring them straight in is their symptoms worsened. Luckily they were fine, I'd never have forgiven myself if I'd harmed them! Honestly please don't worry about having used it in the past though xx