11/13 Marley Lantus AMPS 207, +2 228, PMPS 151

Jdubs said:
I have tried to fill out the spreadsheet in the uk mmol section but it doesnt seem to be translating over to the mg/dl like it used to. Sorry I'm so tech challenged.
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Hi Jesse, looks like you have figured out the SS issue?

Jdubs said:
+2 228

Oh no is he bouncing? Why would he be bouncing?
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Sometimes there is a "cumulative" bounce after a few days in good numbers. Not too high so far so, don't worry about it :-)


Jdubs said:
Have you ever had a flea infestation and what did you use to get rid of it?
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I've only ever used a spot-on for fleas.
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Hi Jesse, looks like you have figured out the SS issue?
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Yes thank you. And I have also found my mg/dl metre. It was in my make up bag of all places!
Bandit's Mom said:
Sometimes there is a "cumulative" bounce after a few days in good numbers. Not too high so far so, don't worry about it :)
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I guess I can make this a rest day for both of us and not test til PMPS?
Bandit's Mom said:
I've only ever used a spot-on for fleas.
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Do you use them often? Or only when you suspect? I think I might have to report to one.
 
Jdubs said:
Have you ever had a flea infestation and what did you use to get rid of it?

I hate the idea of the chemicals. For so may years ive used a herbal product, and it worked really well.

When Marley was really unregulated I did wonder if the herbs were interfering so I dropped the ball bit with giving the herbs incase that wasn't helping. I then reintroduced them, and hes been regulating well, so I know they dont interfere with BG. But Its possible in the time I wasn't using them, the lease got a hold, (if indeed it is fleas)......
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When we had fleas from bringing rescues in, I’ve also used the spot treatments. We used the ones you get as a prescription from the vet. Here in the US they sell over the counter treatments that are really toxic. We usually used revolution and if we used it once and cleaned all the bedding/vacuumed and cleaned all the bedding a few more times to take care of the eggs we were usually good.

But we had a semi-feral we couldn’t put the topical on, so we cleaned her bedding, then put capstar in her food (kills fleas for 24 hrs), and gave her the capstar every three days for a few treatments to counter the flea life cycle b/c I think I had researched that the fleas can hatch every three days so if I kept up like that it would prevent another infestation and it did the trick.

We also had to check for tapeworms in the ones who had fleas. They can be easy to miss and don’t always show up in a fecal sample.

The brands we use here are probably different in the uk. I was never crazy about the chemicals but the the adverse effects and reactions from the fleas themselves are so bad (flea anemia, dermatitis, hemobart, etc) and so I just hoped for the best and it was fine.
 
Jackie and Biggie said:
When we had fleas from bringing rescues in, I’ve also used the spot treatments. We used the ones you get as a prescription from the vet. Here in the US they sell over the counter treatments that are really toxic. We usually used revolution and if we used it once and cleaned all the bedding/vacuumed and cleaned all the bedding a few more times to take care of the eggs we were usually good.

But we had a semi-feral we couldn’t put the topical on, so we cleaned her bedding, then put capstar in her food (kills fleas for 24 hrs), and gave her the capstar every three days for a few treatments to counter the flea life cycle b/c I think I had researched that the fleas can hatch every three days so if I kept up like that it would prevent another infestation and it did the trick.

We also had to check for tapeworms in the ones who had fleas. They can be easy to miss and don’t always show up in a fecal sample.

The brands we use here are probably different in the uk. I was never crazy about the chemicals but the the adverse effects and reactions from the fleas themselves are so bad (flea anemia, dermatitis, hemobart, etc) and so I just hoped for the best and it was fine.
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Ok thank you for all this.

I shook his blanket onto a white sheet and as far s I can see tiny black spots fell out among the hair which I think is clear sign of fleas being present...ughhhh!!
 
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Jdubs said:
Ok thank you for all this.

I shook his blanket onto a white sheet and as far s I can see tiny black spots fell out among the hair which I think is clear sign of fleas being present...ughhhh!!
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It sounds a lot like it. It’s small reddish/brownish black specks. If you look really closely you might see transparent larvae/eggs. You should be able to confirm it if you put the dirt on a wet paper towel- if it sort of bleeds dark red then it’s most likely flea dirt. If not it might just be dirt.
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Thank you for your photo, it is super helpful to see an example. This looks pretty similar but worse?

I originally thought he had ring worm or an allergy because of the scabby areas on his neck. I presumed this was dead skin from the scabs hes scraping.
 

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Jdubs said:
Thank you for your photo, it is super helpful to see an example. This looks pretty similar but worse?

I originally thought he had ring worm or an allergy because of the scabby areas on his neck. I presumed this was dead skin from the scabs hes scraping.
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That’s definitely fleas. I’m sorry. It’s no fun! They can have an allergy to the fleas, on top of it all. Sometimes it can take a few weeks for the itchiness and scabs to go away even after the fleas are gone. IF he would let you, it might help to put warm wet compresses on the scabs to help them heal. If they start to look bad though most vets would likely want to give antibiotics. Steroids would relieve it but that might not be recommended because of his diabetes. Hoping the scabbing isn’t too extensive? I have seen bad cases that took forever to heal in some cats.
 
Oh my goodness.....all my life force this year has gone in to trying to help Marley get better or at least regulated. I really reached what I thought was the nd of my strength, and coming on here.......a miracle happened. He started to regulate.......though it has been a huge relief on so many levels, and such a joy to see him happier and healthier.....and now this......WHY???????

Also why now he is getting better. I have kept them at bay - really never even seen one for many years, so its a bit confusing why now? He's on a raw diet, seems so much healthier than ever, his coat has been shinier, and then thy come.

To be honest I did notice him itching for a couple of weeks a little but more but it was a detox through the skin. I get itchy when I use the skin as a route of elimination. Since he's been regulated like said before he lost some puffiness. So I thought it was that.

Anyway thank you so much for the confirmation. Seeing it on the white sheet it did hit home.The blanket he's sleeping on at the moment, is a dusky blue so it was only on your suggestion of white paper that I thought to shake it on a white sheet. So shocking. He's only ben sleeping on it a few days since it was washed.

Right, deep breath, this is one of those times where you feel life keeps sending massive waves to knock you down and you have to get right back up again and again and again. I'm o. it!

(I know that sounds dramatic by now I am on the floor dragging myself to the finish line.There are so many things I have abandoned this last year in my life which need serious attending to, but they need big creative energy to face them and the use of the executive part of my brain, and lots of energy, and all that force has been going into Marley.....and I'm running out of time...but I wont be beaten!!!)
 
I did a warm compress of diluted organic apple cider vinegar last night which apparently soothe the sores and also kill the fleas. I will do more today with lemon juice too. And I am going to hoover daily and buy some borax. I already have diatomaceous earth, and I have bought an array of flea Combes and I am going to be giving him lots of herbs and stuff inside and out. I am going to try to resit the chemicals. I have some in my house, but I read the insert and it said if you are thinking of eating your pet rabit (?????) dont use this flea stuff on them. So that made me decide.

I understand the seriousness of it and I am going to really put my all into it and monitor closely and if I dont see any improvement in a couple of days I will take further action. (I know this is going to take months to resolve but what I mean is if I dont see Marley itching less and I cant bring the scab inflammation down. I do think already the scabs are a lot better than they were a couple of days ago when I discovered them)
 
I don’t think you’re being dramatic at all- fleas are a lot to deal with on top of everything else. They can be really overwhelming but I’m glad you’re being realistic that if it’s not better soon you’ll try the flea meds. The sores can form from an allergic reaction to the fleas so It might take awhile for them to heal and the itching to stop even after the fleas are gone- but hopefully that’s not the case since you said his are better.

You might know that already but just in case-
borax is a chemical, too and shouldn’t be left out for him to walk on or inhale.

You could bathe him (if he lets you) in Dawn (the regular, not antibacterial kind). A friend of mine who rescues neonates does that and then she also uses a flea comb to pull the fleas out and drown them one by one while they’re wet and slower and easier to grab. The dawn suffocates them. But I’m not sure if it could irritate his skin if the scabs are sensitive.
I’m glad you figured out what was going on- it can be hard to tell! Some years the fleas are worse than others so it could just be that they are bad this season.
Good luck and take it easy!
 
I decided against borax and am going to use cedar oil, vinegar lemon juice and diatomaceous earth in my house and wash everything and vacuum often. I am so allergic to so many chemicals I feel cruel putting them on other liver things. I was almost going to this morning and I checked a couple of books I have written by 2 vets who practised traditionally for years ad then went more natural. They both advise against the chemicals. So I am trying another way first
 
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