How to Give a Pregnant Cat a Flea Bath
Bathing a cat is no easy task -- cat lovers around the world have scars to prove it. A special level of panic is involved when bathing a cat to get rid of fleas. Even more worry comes into play when that flea-infested cat is pregnant. Care and caution go a long way when giving a pregnant cat a flea bath. Attention to details and safety keep you and your cat safe during bath time. Always speak to your veterinarian to determine the safety and health of your cat before treating your pregnant cat with any medicated substance.
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Instructions
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Avoid over-the-counter, commercially available flea shampoos. These shampoos may contain permethrins, pyrethroids, phenothrin, or etofenprox which "The Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians" advises are not indicated for use with pregnant cats. Read the label to find out the safety recommendations for the shampoo.
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Obtain a prescription flea shampoo from your veterinarian. Prescription-only flea shampoos safe for pregnant cats are available. If this is not possible due to monetary constraints, "Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff" suggests considering dish soap in place of flea shampoo.
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Plug the bathtub. Run lukewarm water. Fill the tub with an inch of water.
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Restrain the cat. Gently grasp the back of the cat's neck at the scruff. Some, but not all, cats go limp when this area is pinched.
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If necessary, enlist the help of a friend to restrain the cat while you bathe her. Have your friend grasp the cat's scruff and hold the cat's back legs to keep them from scratching you.
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Lather up the cat with the prescription flea shampoo or dish soap. Make sure the shampoo or soap penetrates all layers of the cat's coat, down to the skin.
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Allow the soap to sit for three to five minutes. This provides time for the shampoo or soap to weaken, sicken or kill the fleas.
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Rinse the cat thoroughly. Accomplish this by running lukewarm tap water and moving the cat beneath the faucet or rinsing the cat using a cup. Run your hands through her fur as you rinse, ensuring all of the soap or shampoo is rinsed away.
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Remove the cat from the bathtub. Dry the cat using a towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This prevents chills, shaking and possible illness. Allow your cat to dry and groom herself to her liking.
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Tips & Warnings
Provide your cat with plenty of fresh, clean water. Some cats hypersalivate when exposed to soaps or medicated shampoos as a result of an adverse reaction or accidentally ingesting some of the product. Water helps your cat flush her system.
Use as little restraint as possible. Cats respond better when minimal stress is involved. Try to make the bath a low-key affair. The more stress and fear involved, the more the cat will fight or try to escape.
Speak to your vet about other flea treatments available for pregnant cats. Spot-on and oral treatments containing fipronil, nitenpyram and selamectin are approved for use in pregnant and nursing animals.
If your cat displays excessive thirst, vomiting, shaking, seizures, spontaneous abortion, or signs of pain or depression, speak to a veterinarian immediately. These signs may indicate an adverse reaction to medicated flea products.
One flea bath does not kill all fleas present. To remove the most fleas, you must treat the cat's environment and other animals present in the household.
References
- "The Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians"; Joanna Bassert, Dennis McCurnin; 2009
- "Animal Restraint for Veterinary Professionals"; C.C. Sheldon; 2006
- "Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians"; Janet Amundson Romich; 2005
- "Veterinary Nursing"; D.R. Lane, B. Cooper; 2003
- "The Textbook of Veterinary Medical Nursing"; Carole Bowden, Jo Masters; 2002
- "Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff"; Lila Miller, Stephen Zawistowski; 2004
Resources
- Photo Credit non aprire l'acqua image by ryanpyc from Fotolia.com
