Why are my pet's flea treatments not working? Could it be allergies?

Question

Could these be allergic reaction to flea bites? I've given him flea baths and he has been getting topical flea treatments every thirty days and yet he's still just suffering. I'm strapped for cash and I'm trying to save money to get him to the vet. Please help me! Any suggestions would be welcomed. Pet's info: Cat | American Longhair | Male | neutered | 2 years and 11 months old | 13 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

yes, it is possible those are flea bites but other things such as allergies can also look like this. If you are noticing continued problems with fleas despite treatment every month, it's possible the fleas have developed an immunity to the current product. I recommend switching the products. Top products for dogs are oral products such as Simparica and Nexgard. Top products for cats are topicals such as Revolution and Cheristan. There is also an oral product called Comfortis that both dogs and cats can take. You will need to switch all the pets over to a good flea product. Make sure to discuss these products with your veterinarian first. These products are generally safe for all pets but there are some conditions which are contraindicated for the oral products. Cleaning up and treating the house and yard will also help but it will not clear all the fleas. The main control is making sure the pets are on good products. This is what will ultimately stop the infestation. Also remember every female fleas lays about 50 eggs a day and it could take up to 6 months before the eggs hatch. Therefore, you will need to treat for at least 6 months. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Why are my pet's flea treatments not working? Could it be allergies?

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