my grandchildern came over for a sleep over for the weekend and then a week later found out they are both infected with head lice i also got it they slept in my bed all weekend . now i have got rid of them but in the mean time my cat also sleeps in my bed so while washing my bedding the cat was sleeping on my coach then my bed so i noticed him scratching his neck and now it is raw and bleeding so was wondering if they could get them or what can i do for him breaks my heart ..

 

I'd imagine his flea/tick treatment would take care of it.

 

I’m personally not aware that cats get human lice. A pro with veterinary background will be able to answer this. Fleas are active on the “hard to reach” places on animals which includes neck and tail bone/rear end junction. Don’t automatically assume that you don’t have a flea problem. I’ve been in pest control for years-some years ago I took our cat to the vet for a “skin problem”. I said no way does he have fleas-vet passed thru the flea comb and I was a humbled bug man.

 

Weezers,

Cats generally do not get "infected" with human type lice. But the sounds of the symptoms you are talking about are actually more akin to those for ear mites, which are something cats DO get regularly.

Ear mites can be tough to get rid of, but the first step would be to treat with a good ear mite drops from your local pet store. If after following the directions, that does not clear up the mites, then a trip to the vet for stronger stuff is recommended.

IF the sores on the neck are bad enough they are being kept open, take the cat to the vet FIRST, as secondary infections can be a really bad thing in the head/ear areas.

 

thank you for the responses my cat is a indoor cat and never been around other cats so I don't think he has fleas but i will try the ear mites drops but ya his sore is getting bigger and bloodier i am so worried about him but can't afford vets right now. i was reading earlier posts from flirty and someone recommended "advantage" what is that? if anyone knows can i put any ointment on it till i get to vets?

 

Weezers,

If you cannot get the cat to the vet, you can put ear mite medicine Inside the ears to kill the mites and use triple antibiotic ointment on the sores.

I can almost guarantee if the cat scratching his body, rather than just the ear and behind the ear area that he has fleas. You can actually carry them in on your clothing, shoes and even on things you bring in from outside...so do treat with Advantage (Be SURE it is FOR CATS) I cannot stress the use of CAT ONLY Products enough to people...not just you. Using many things that are perfectly safe for dogs will kill a cat, so please use the correct type of Advantage.

The Advantage for Cats can usually be purchased for about $20 or less at any reliable pet store or even from your vet, and the ear mite medicine is about $10 give or take. I would honestly suggest calling your vet and seeing if they can get the cat in, and perhaps make some kind of arrangements for payment with you. Most offices will do that.

Do keep us posted on how he is doing.

 

ty for all the information a friend was telling me the samme thing today that people can carry fleas i did not know that that is so not fair but i have been watching my cat and he is shaking his head alot and scratching his ears so i will purchase the ear mites drops tomorrow and i was thinking that i would put a banddana around his neck with polysporin on a bit of gauze so that way he isnèt scratching directly at his neck he is a pure white cat and i have been checking him for fleas ( i should be able to see them since he is white) but i have not seen any but if i decide to treat him with the advantage wonèt it hurt him on his open sore i will keep u posted

 

Weezers,

Even with white cats you can honestly NOT see fleas sometimes. I can assure you of this as I actually have 2 (the third we lost to cancer a couple of years ago) They can have fleas and you sill seldom even see them at all.

The Advantage is really safe to use, be sure you put it between the shoulder blades, as the instructions should tell you. If your holding your cat on your lap, I find the easiest way to get it in the right spot is to kind of scritch around the spot, then as you are doing that, to get down to the skin (where you want it) gently blow the hair away. Apply the whole tube directly on the skin. I use the tip of the tube to kind of rub it in...it sounds weird but it works. Between the shoulder blades is at a spot the cat cannot reach to like it off. Just keep it out of the actual wound and you will be fine.

On to the mites. If you can, clean your cat's ears out BEFORE you put the drops in. Use a Q-tip and get as much of the black debris (mite junk) out as possible. Then put the drops in and be sure to squish it around in the ear.

Do This IN THE BATHROOM or somewhere that splatters will be easy to clean up. Your cat is going to shake his head a lot after you put the drops in. Our bathroom is small so I do it there, easier to clean up any splatters.

Do keep us posted on how things go.