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Need help determining cause of dark debris in cat's fur
"Dave Humes" wrote in message ...
I was combing one of our cats a few weeks ago and noticed some dark debris in the fur. I immediately thought fleas. We had been using Top Spot on the cats regularly, but since they've been getting older they have been staying close to the house and haven't had a problem lately with fleas or ticks. We Top Spotted both cats immediately and I started combing them several times each day with a flea comb. It has been about a month and so far, and I have never picked up a flea, live or dead. But I continue to get this dark debris. It's only on one cat. If we had fleas, I would think they would both get them. The cat with the problem sleeps in our bed, and we are not getting bitten. The debris seems to be located at the base of the hair follicles and can be found just about anywhere you look in her coat. The fur that comes out when I comb her has the debris mostly attached to the fur at one end. I've placed some of the debris in water, and it does not turn it red as it would if it were dried blood. So, I'm at a total loss as to what this may be. The cat is in very good spirits, is not scratching, has experienced no hair loss, and does not seem bothered by it in any way. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. --Dave Hi Dave I have 2 cats and 1 dog.After i put fleapowder on them i noticed some black debrie also.i set them each on a white towel and just messed their fur with my hands.You should have seen all the black come of off them.I think it's the eggs from the fleas.Tthey look like little tiny specks.I then check my dog aand the same thing happend there too.I'm doing this now once a month and no fleas or specks.can't stand them,since my cats sleep with me too. Good luck,let me know. Ria |
#2
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"Dave Humes" wrote in message ...
I was combing one of our cats a few weeks ago and noticed some dark debris in the fur. I immediately thought fleas. We had been using Top Spot on the cats regularly, but since they've been getting older they have been staying close to the house and haven't had a problem lately with fleas or ticks. We Top Spotted both cats immediately and I started combing them several times each day with a flea comb. It has been about a month and so far, and I have never picked up a flea, live or dead. But I continue to get this dark debris. It's only on one cat. If we had fleas, I would think they would both get them. The cat with the problem sleeps in our bed, and we are not getting bitten. The debris seems to be located at the base of the hair follicles and can be found just about anywhere you look in her coat. The fur that comes out when I comb her has the debris mostly attached to the fur at one end. I've placed some of the debris in water, and it does not turn it red as it would if it were dried blood. So, I'm at a total loss as to what this may be. The cat is in very good spirits, is not scratching, has experienced no hair loss, and does not seem bothered by it in any way. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. --Dave Hi Dave I have 2 cats and 1 dog.After i put fleapowder on them i noticed some black debrie also.i set them each on a white towel and just messed their fur with my hands.You should have seen all the black come of off them.I think it's the eggs from the fleas.Tthey look like little tiny specks.I then check my dog aand the same thing happend there too.I'm doing this now once a month and no fleas or specks.can't stand them,since my cats sleep with me too. Good luck,let me know. Ria |
#3
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In ,
Dave Humes composed with style: I was combing one of our cats a few weeks ago and noticed some dark debris in the fur. I'd recommend a skin-scrape at the vets. Not expensive and they can rule out mites or other skin parasites. |
#4
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In ,
Dave Humes composed with style: I was combing one of our cats a few weeks ago and noticed some dark debris in the fur. I'd recommend a skin-scrape at the vets. Not expensive and they can rule out mites or other skin parasites. |
#5
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:: "Dave Humes" wrote in message
:: ... ::.I think it's the eggs from the fleas. To check if it really are flea eggs, just put some on a paper towel and add a little alcohol. The flea eggs will dye the paper pink. That's what the vet told (and showed) me once In this case, however, I'd say it's a common yeast infection, that appears whenever the animal's immunity decreases. -- Paulina |
#6
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:: "Dave Humes" wrote in message
:: ... ::.I think it's the eggs from the fleas. To check if it really are flea eggs, just put some on a paper towel and add a little alcohol. The flea eggs will dye the paper pink. That's what the vet told (and showed) me once In this case, however, I'd say it's a common yeast infection, that appears whenever the animal's immunity decreases. -- Paulina |
#7
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Paulina W wrote:
"Dave Humes" wrote in message ... :.I think it's the eggs from the fleas. To check if it really are flea eggs, just put some on a paper towel and add a little alcohol. The flea eggs will dye the paper pink. That's what the vet told (and showed) me once Actually, that checks if it's flea droppings (blood)....that's why it dyes the paper pink. But if you put it in water and it doesn't turn, then it's probably something else. Just FYI, if you do see flea eggs lying around, they will look and feel like grains of salt, and if you have it bad, you'll sometimes see what looks like very small worms wriggling amongst them, which are the larvae. But from the original post, as I said, because the debris didn't turn red in water, sounds like it must be something else, and therefore, I would have the vet check it out, since it could be a skin problem or something else. All the Best, Ann -- http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bewtifulfreak |
#8
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Paulina W wrote:
"Dave Humes" wrote in message ... :.I think it's the eggs from the fleas. To check if it really are flea eggs, just put some on a paper towel and add a little alcohol. The flea eggs will dye the paper pink. That's what the vet told (and showed) me once Actually, that checks if it's flea droppings (blood)....that's why it dyes the paper pink. But if you put it in water and it doesn't turn, then it's probably something else. Just FYI, if you do see flea eggs lying around, they will look and feel like grains of salt, and if you have it bad, you'll sometimes see what looks like very small worms wriggling amongst them, which are the larvae. But from the original post, as I said, because the debris didn't turn red in water, sounds like it must be something else, and therefore, I would have the vet check it out, since it could be a skin problem or something else. All the Best, Ann -- http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bewtifulfreak |
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