Ah okay, sweet. By the way, ever since getting rid of the fleas, I've been hugging her!... will this guarantee eggs... on my shirt, or am I just being paranoid? The last thing I want is eggs all over my shirt, and thus, fleas all around the house and on Bella. I'm starting to freak out!
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Buying a Kitten for my birthday: TIPS PLEASE!
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No, don't worry. The eggs are sticky and stick to the fur so if they didn't come out in the combing and the dunking, they're not going to fall out on your shirt. And even if they did, the washing machine will kill them. But they can be laid in the carpet, down the bottom of the wool strands, or in her bedding so that's why a lot of vacuuming and washing of bedding is necessary.
That's so sweet that you've been hugging her :)
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Ahh! I found her sleeping on my bed right now! I should take her off right?
Argh my heart aches towards Bella, I'm trying to get close to her and cuddle her as well, but she's rejecting the scent and hissing at it... so I can't get near her, yet she seems so lonely and upset now!...I should've spent more time with her before I started hugging Bianca, I feel guilty now :( -
Hmmm, that's up to you. She should be pretty clean by now. I would be inclined to leave her there but then I can't resist a sleeping kitten.
Can't you get into your PJs or change your shirt (to get rid of the kitten smell) and start giving Bella some attention? Maybe a good game before you go to bed. Are you keeping Bella out of your bedroom? That would upset her if she usually sleeps in there. Have you got any treats for Bella? If you could give her treats while she smells the kitten on you, she may associate the kitten smell with good things.
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The flea eggs look like salt specs. Though sometimes when the can had dandruff or dry skin it will also like like white specs. I agree with everyone else has said, just keep combing the kitten and bathing her for the next little while and vaccum and clean the surfaces she was on when she was very infested.
I agree with JCAT maybe you can take a shower and change some clothes before you hang out with Bella? It is important at this stage to make sure Bella doesn't feel like she is being ignored or not longer 'top cat'. I would give Bella some extra cuddles if you can. Maybe you can give the kitten a shirt to sleep on and then leave it in another room for Bella to get used to the scent and approach when she feels like it, so its not a scent coming towards her (which could be threatening), its her going to the scent when she feels like it?
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Fleas-Our 7 week old kitten had fleas too. Since she was 2lbs, the vet said she could use topical flea treatments ("frontline") and gave her and her "sister" a shot for the larvae. They both seem to be free of fleas now. Since fleas can't live off humans, they will eventually die off after a few months without a cat or dog host. Most humans aren't even affected by them. So, eventually they will die off. Our kitten didn't seem to be affected by the fleas, but I am not sure how long she had the fleas for. She was still running around, playing,etc.
Vaccines: Not sure how much the shots would cost in Australia, probably not that much. I am pretty sure at 6 weeks she can get the first set of shots. But she can't have the Rabies shot (if it exists in Australia) and the Feline Leukemia shot until around 3 months of age. She will also need a deworming treatment and treatments for fleas and a physical exam.
Also, Bella (also the name of my 3 year old cat!), will probably react with hostility toward the kitten at first (hissing, swatting, growling). This is the cats way of asserting her dominance over the new member of her "pride." Unless Bella is physically hurting the kitten, its best not to interfere. Instead give both the kitties plenty of attention. Hopefully since Bella is so young they will get along in the next few weeks. It should work out eventually.
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Bianca and Bella, that does make a very nice name combination. :)
You're doing fine and you have good advice from folks about making Bella feel less unhappy. She is used to being your only cat and will simply take time and lots of loving attention to adjust. It does get better and easier and they will eventually be great friends, playmates and companions.
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Gave it another wash today and I found yet another damn flea, just one though. We rang the VET, he said the owner had a stroke, so they'll be closed for a minimum of two weeks, but good to know he is recovering. They did tell us that vaccinations are $70 each, with a minimum of four vaccinations needed :S , but we'll be buying the flea treatment stuff today, it goes for about $50-60 here, quite expensive.
On the same note, Bella and Bianca have been sniffing each other out for a while now and so I finally let them see each other face to face, nothing much happened really. Bianca was sleeping while Bella looked at her viciously and hissed for a few seconds and ran off, looking... scared. Normally a kitten would instantly hear this and react right? But Bianca didn't seem to hear much, although she did twitch and look around, but fell straight back asleep.I changed into different clothes yet Bella is still against me cuddling her but I'll see what happens once I take a shower.
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Hey Paradox, finding only one flea today is truly real progress! Keep up the baths and combing with a fine flea comb as the eggs will hatch and new fleas emerge for awhile yet. But sounds like you're doing a great job getting that under control. Remember, wash in HOT water all the things that Bianca was on. That will kill any fleas and flea eggs. And vacuuming thoroughly is the other best line of defense.
Poor Bella, she sees Bianca as an intruder. If Bianca remains that placid about Bella, then Bella will come around. Even if Bella doesn't want to be cuddled for now, spend lots of time with her, talk lovingly to her, offer to play with her, and keep showing patience. It's only been a few days and it takes some time for Bella to realize that 1) Bianca is not a threat and 2) she, Bella, is still your number one girl. Her current reactions are totally normal. It can take anywhere from several weeks to a couple months for a new cat to fully integrate into a family. Keep showing patience with Bella and don't get discouraged or overly worried. Your precious Bella girl will settle down and get back to being your love sponge kitty. Give her time.
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Agree with Marnet..you'll have to be very stringent about cleaning to make sure you don't spread fleas to Bella and to get rid of the problem permanently for Bianca.
Good luck! U should like you are a great kitten parent! Have you heard about the mama cat and the other kittens? If Bianca is in such a horrible state I just wonder what kind of state the rest of the litter and the mom is
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Oh yes, chasing the light spot from a laser pointer is GREAT kitty fun. Just be very careful never to shine the laser light into your cat's eyes.
Most pet supply stores have kitty laser pointer toys for sale. At most, they run about $10 U.S. Not sure what that would be in Australian prices.
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Marnet, at one stage you could get them here in NZ at the $2 store and they cost, yep, $2... Wish I'd bought one then...
Gosh, Paradox, your vaccinations are expensive :( but I have to keep remembering, not only am I in NZ but I'm in a small town in NZ. Big city prices are always more...
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Of course I've always found that simple toys are the best; a shoelace or short piece of small diameter rope dragged around, a crumpled piece of notebook paper, an old sock filled with some catnip in the toe and then tied tightly in a knot to keep the catnip in, a tennis ball rubbed with catnip, etc.
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Yeah, I've found out that buying toys from a store doesn't attract Bella at all, she loves the simple things such as scrunched up paper like you all suggested all the way back in February.
Jcat... the laser pointer worked like a charm! Bella was sleeping on a stack of clothes, she looked up and I pointed the pointer at the clothes and she was instantly on it. After 10 seconds, she was purring, so I sat down next to her stroking her and she loved it, even though I still have Bianca's scent.
Just an hour ago, I took Bella outside while I placed Bianca inside although they were still able to see one another. Bella hissed quite a lot and this time Bianca, whom was well awake, whined back and looked terrified, it was the only time ever since adopting her was her tail down.
Will there be any signs to Bella's growing attachment to Bianca's in the future? How will they connect because at the moment, it doesn't seem like it'll happen too soon. -
Paradox, you did wonderful with how you played with Bella and gave her affection. Keep up the good work and she'll begin to realize that Bianca's scent isn't a threat.
The fact that Bianca held her tail down and whined was her kitten way of showing submission to Bella and that she recognizes Bella as a dominant adult. That is actually a good thing and is a true beginning.
Frustrating and scary as it seems, it is totally normal for there to be some hissing, spitting, fright, and even a few slaps exchanged between cats being introduced. You are doing things exactly right with letting them smell each other and now gradually see each other although separated.
Just keep giving both lots of loving attention, full of petting, soothing talk, play, and reassurance. At the point Bella seems more comfortable with Bianca's scent, especially on you, then you can cautiously let them be in the same room UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION. But I wouldn't do that yet until you've had at least three to five days in a row with zero evidence of fleas on Bianca. You don't want Bella catching them.
Remember, it can take several weeks before the worst of Bella's hostility calms down. That is normal and okay. You simply have to be patient. I know it is extra work and time but you can do this and will end up with a pair of kitties who are good friends if you stay the course with your current good work and patience.
Eventually Bella will start showing more curiosity than hostility about Bianca. That will be a good time to start letting them actually meet.
By the way, when you get a chance, we would totally love seeing one or more current pictures of Bella the beautiful as well as of Bianca the beautiful!
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I just noticed that their personalities are so vibrant. Bianca is an up-front bubbly, fun type of girl whereas Bella is a more 'wise' and mellow girl. They really are like the Yin-Yang!
First off, Bella's growth!
From this:
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1731/p2160093.jpgTo this:
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5977/pa210534.jpgShe has slightly changed eye colour from a faded lime to a rich golden colour, I prefer it over the lime colour.
Now, Bianca.
Mucking around with my hands:
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2342/pc080059.jpgWhen she's sleeping:
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9833/pc080073.jpgSleeping in the corner of my room:
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4869/pc090084p.jpgWhenever she gets the chance to hop on me or lay down on me she will and head rub me, it's so cute! Notice the makeshift litter tray haha, she's actually knows how to use it!
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/9915/pc090087.jpgShe loves hugging my hands/fingers
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6203/pc090096.jpgI LOVE THIS ONE!!
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4781/pc090105.jpg -
Oh my, Bella is even more beautiful than ever. She started out a lovely kitten and grew to such a lovely adult cat. You've done so well with her!
Bianca is also beautiful. She is going to grow up to be every bit as lovely as Bella in her own way.
They are going to be such a striking pair together.
I notice that Bianca has "little pink pads on the precious pet paws." She is cute and looks like quite the little love bug.
Thank you for the pictures! It is so nice to see Bella's kitten photo again after all this time and to see how she has grown into such a lovely lady. And Bianca is also a real heart stealer.
Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for all the compliments!
Oh and I should tell you all that Bianca is a Turkish Angora.
LadySky, Bella is a Ragdoll :)Gave Bianca yet another bath today and I did not find any fleas today! Don't know about the eggs though, but the flea protection stuff should take care of that. However, there's just an overload of pus in Bianca's eyes and it doesn't look nice and it seems very irritating for her. It seems to stick to her eyes, blocking her vision, kinda gross.
Jcat, I think you were the one to suggest the 'tea remedy'? Could you go into more detail please, as we can't get to our VET any time soon, so I want to relieve this irritation from her? -
Sure, no problem. To clear it completely, you probably need antibiotics but you can probably make her a little more comfortable. Just pour boiling water on an ordinary teabag in a small cup (the way you'd normally make a cup of tea), take the teabag out after a couple of minutes and leave the 'tea' to cool. When it's cool, or only slightly luke-warm, just grab a cotton wool ball or similar, soak it in the tea, squeeze out most of the tea and use it to bathe Bianca's eyes and take the gunk away. Do it very gently. The tannic acid in the tea seems to help soothe the eyes.
But, if there's any sign of a wound, or her eyes get a lot worse or anything, you may have to take her to another vet sooner than the two weeks or so your regular vet is expecting to be away. It could be an early sign of snuffles (cat flu) or some other infection and it's always best to catch eye things early. If she's keeping her eye/eyes half closed or if the third eyelid is coming over, even when you've gently cleared the gunk away, that's a sign that her eye is painful. But she looks good in the photos!
Good luck with this darling girl!
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Evening jcat.
Ladysky, sometimes we just have clinics in the U.S. that have lower rate immunizations so people will actually get them. In AZ we have the ABC (animal birth control) clinics that offer shots usually every other month or so on one day for $10 each (both dogs and cats) and they also focus on spay/neutering. The reason they can offer it at such a good price is they don't do normal vet care just the basic care of shots and spay/neuters.
Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Paradox, I can't believe how big and beautiful Bella has become. I'm sure your love and care will result in the same happy life for little Bianca. It's been my experience that two girl kitties don't tend to be as close to each other as two neutered boys are, but Bella and Bianca should become friendlier in time. You are certainly doing the right thing by giving each girl your undivided attention for part of the time each day.
Our girl cats tend to really dote on my husband. They each have a special time of day when they sit in his lap for nice long naps. If Bianca attaches to your dad, he will be won over in short order.
Keep us posted - it's great to hear from you and I look forward to following your success story with little Bianca.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Big thanks cheetah, nice to see you again :)
Is it natural for the flea treatment liquid to glide down onto the fur after squeezing it onto her skin? I'm just afraid they she'll somehow lick it.
As for Bella and Bianca, I think Bella is transitioning to a more curious nature, as she hasn't hissed as much at sight of her, but rather meowed cautiously and she isn't afraid to come up stairs anymore, which is usually where she is most when Bianca wasn't around.
Oh, and they're both using the same litterbox and bowls now!
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Ooh, yay, that's progress!
Paradox, when putting the flea treatment on, try to put it on the back of the neck, in the centre, so it's hard for them to lick it off from there, and it's even better if you can part the fur there with a flea comb or something first and then squeeze the stuff on (but they wriggle, so not always possible...)
When Bella's being so good, like she is now, and not hissing, give her loads of praise and cuddles and attention (and treats, eg greenies, if at all possible) so she associates being happy around Bianca with nice things!
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