|
|
 
 |
Welcome to our series from the Wonderful Dr. Barry Baum, Chief of Staff
at Center-Sinai Animal Hospital.
If you have a question for our Virtuoso Vet, he'd love to see it. And
he will answer all that he can. Just use the form that follows below,
beneath the column. Please note: If you feel the condition of your pet is
critical, Dr. Baum suggests you contact your local vet ASAP!
For previous questions and
answers, see the buttons under this week's article. |
 |
|
Dear Dr. Baum --
Can small kittens (under 8 weeks) be bathed to rid of fleas? We have
an infestation
and our kittens are miserable and too young to use flea products on.
We bombed the affected part of the house but cats (2) are still
crawling with the black fleas. Is there a proper way to bathe cats?
Do the same principals apply as to dogs? Thanks! Center Sinai has
been our vet for our dog - the kittens are new arrivals.
Kathleen
Los Angeles, CA
Dear
Kathleen --
Never hesitate to use
a flea shampoo on young kittens. Any toxic potential of the shampoo
is negated because there is only a brief contact between the shampoo
and the kitten. When the shampoo is rinsed off, the insecticide is
also removed. Thus, a flea shampoo has no residual effect for
keeping fleas off. Avoid flea dips, sprays or powders as prolonged
contact with these products can result in enough absorption to
overwhelm a very young kitten's ability to effectively remove it. I
have used Advantage on kittens over four weeks when there are large
infestations. Failure to control large flea infestations can result
in enough blood loss in small kittens to necessitate therapeutic
blood transfusions. I feel comfortable in using Advantage in kittens
this young because this product is not absorbed in the body and
thusly does not need an exit strategy.
|
|
|
 
To find out what others have asked, click our Critter Query archives button:
 |
Do you have a question for our Virtuoso Vet? Just use the form below. Dr. Baum will answer as many of your
questions as possible.
For Your Pet's Health:
Please contact your local vet if you feel your pet is having an
emergency to insure getting attention in time to meet his/her needs. *We never sell your private information, and post only with your
permission, to help other visitors with similar questions. Please see
privacy policy pertaining to CenterSinaiAnimalHospital.com and
InasPawprints.com
|
|
If you are lucky enough to live in Los
Angeles when you need a really good vet, you can call
to set up an appointment with Dr. Baum or another of the highly
skilled staff at
Center-Sinai Veterinary Hospital. The number is 310-559-3770.
Check out the new site
www.CenterSinaiAnimalHospital.com! Your questions and answers appear
there, with a link on our site,
too, and more pet care information and special
features! Just close the window after visiting, or hit your browser's back
button to return to InasPawprints.
|
