NWR: flea question

jessicabessica

Our neighbor asked if we could feed her cats this weekend (which means I feed them, since DH is allergic).  After I agreed to do this and was over there petting them as she was telling me where the food is kept, she mentioned that she is pretty sure they have fleas, and she is getting them dipped sometime in the next few weeks and her apartment flea bombed.  

I really do not want fleas in our apartment, as a general matter and because our dog was attacked by another dog on Saturday and is currently healing, and it would be really bad for her to get them right now (not sure if dog/cat fleas transfer).  If I just go in, put food out, and leave, how likely is it I will bring the fleas back to our place?  I was planning to wash my hands and change my clothes, do I need to take other precautions or even tell her I changed my mind?  

mica178

Is your dog treated for fleas (preferably with something like Advantix)?  If so, I wouldn't worry too much because fleas would be repelled or killed when they got too close to your dog.

OliveOilsMom

Fleas do not like vinegar, its something with the acidic levels.  You could always make a solution of half vinegar/half water in a spray bottle.  You can spray your pants with the solution before going over.  The fleas would stay off of you.  The smell only lasts a short time and it won't stain your clothes permanently.  You could also spray the area near your mutual wall.  That could keep the fleas from coming through the wall (not sure if fleas actually do that though).

Mmoray

I would say overall chances are pretty low. Fleas prefer the higher body temperature of dogs and cats, so it's not like they're going to swarm you. 

Also, I'm not convinced that the vinegar thing works, but iit may be worth a shot anyway. 

The #1 thing you can do is make sure you vacuum your own place religiously while you're doing this for the neighbor. That way if you do happen to get a few fleas, at least you'll get their eggs out of the carpet and avoid reproduction. I've had a major flea infestation and vacuuming is really the only thing that works. 

I would also just keep an eye on your dog for awhile. Just maybe look through his/her furr for visible fleas after you get home. 

jessicabessica

We do a monthly treatment with Advantage, but I'm not sure how much that stuff actually works for repelling throughout the month versus killing/repelling immediately after application.  We could talk to the vet that's treating our dog about doing an extra treatment (she's a little over halfway from her last treatment), but she has open wounds on her back and shoulders, so I am hesitant to do it. 

Thanks for these ideas so far.  I will try the vinegar thing.  The worst that happens is it doesn't work, but I'll try any extra precaution. 

jessicabessica

DH is taking her to the vet this morning to (hopefully) get her last drain removed and generally get everything checked out, so he will ask them what they think.  That's a good tip about emptying the vacuum and get the garbage bag out of the house, thanks.

Maggie0829

I'm side-eyeing your neighbor for waiting a few weeks before getting her cats de-flea'd.

mkrupar

Ugh we're dealing with fleas with our dogs right now. And I'm with Maggie. Why is she waiting a few weeks to have them dipped?

Overall I think with the small amount of time you'll be in the apartment I don't think it will be an issue. I would just take PPs suggestion about vacuuming. That's one of the best ways to get rid of them.

Apartment living is the pits with dogs because they can pick up critters almost anywhere. Even when all four of our dogs were together we never had flea issues in our house.

runpipparun

Because FI is a vet, I always worry about HIM bringing fleas home with him because he deals with flea-ridden animals and their humans all day. However, he has assured me humans are a secondary host, and if there are animals in the vicinity, fleas will not leave their animal hosts for us. So you should be okay.

hoffse

Revolution is amazing for fleas/ticks - my parents keep indoor/outdoor cats and dogs, and they've never had a flea issue because they treat them once a month.  It's just an easy topical application on the back of their necks.  It's a little expensive, but it's worth it if your dog is likely to come into contact with fleas.  It also works for ticks, heartworms, and other types of parasites.

MrsKathyC

Can you slip a flea collar on the cats while you're there?  Poor kittys!

jessicabessica

Given that she said she's planning to get her apartment flea bombed, I'm guessing it's more than just on her cats.  I do judge the fact that she's waiting to treat them and that she didn't tell me up front, especially because she knows that our dog is already in a considerable amount of discomfort.  I thought about getting something to treat the cats myself, but I would be worried if something happened to them.  We cannot use certain treatments on our dog because of her breed (greyhound) and I research the topical stuff we do use on her, so I would be upset if someone decided just to treat her without my permission. 

Thanks for all this advice and commiseration.  It has not been the best animal week for us.

m tulli

I had a major infestation when I took in two stray cats and without thinking about fleas.  I had two dogs and a cat at the time and even though they all got infested I never found them on me except for 1 or two.  I think for the short period you are in the apartment you should be ok.  

Also once I put advantix on the animals I never had issues again and i quickly took care of the fleas on them so if your dog is treated I think you should be good.  

Where your dog hasn't been feeling well maybe just run it by the vet real quck.  Fleas are not something I wish on anyone.  I think your neighbor is crazy for not dealing with it as soon as they noticed.