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3114542 tn?1341839684

Cat scared of carpet

Hi my name is Tess, I have a cat Gigi.  I have had her since she was about 2 weeks old.  She is now 9 1/2 years old.  She had never really been normal, she doesn't really like anyone (even ME)  I got her from a lady who rescues cats, she was the only one of her litter to live.  Now with all that, she talks to me in the morning and sometimes I can pet her, but only for a few moments.  But she seems pretty happy all around as long as nobody bothers her.  
I live alone, no kids.  I do have another addition Jynx who I have now had for 4 1/2  years. Who is the love of my life, the sweetest and most lovable animal I have ever had the pleasure to have.  I work very hard to let Gigi KNOW that I love her too and don't do something for one without doing for the other. This has not changed her behavior since having Jynx.
Now I have never had fleas, and a few weeks ago Gigi started scratching really bad and when I checked her, (which was hard, she HATES being held)  She had sores and it was really bad.  Scared me to death.  So I got frontline to get rid of the fleas and cleaned the carpet and EVERYTHING!!  She and Jynx got a bath, and they get one about ever 4 to 6 months. Depending on dandruff and how dirty they are.  
OK fleas are gone!!  After a few day's she slept a lot, I guess she was tired from being stressed.  But this is gone beyond stress, she has lost a lot of weight and would not eat or drink.  She is normally about 10 lbs, now about 7 lbs. She sits on a chair under the table and will not come down, (With the exception of using the potty)  She RUNS!!!!!!  afterward to get back on the chair.  She is SCARED of the floor.  So I started feeding and giving her water on the other chair.  Now she is eating (She was starved) and seems to be getting better, but she is still terrified of something and I don't know what to do.  
Again she has always been a little off, but this is way beyond the norm for her.  
Any advise would help so much, Maybe there is something more I can do!!  I just hate that she feels this way, it has always bothered me, but I love her and I just let her be Gigi!!  
Thanks Tess
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Avatar universal
The SAME thing happened to my kitten! however, she was scared of the carpet before the flea treatment. She will not eat/drink on my carpet. It has to be on tile, a desk, a chair, or bed. I can see she is losing weight and her attitude isn't the same. I really am hoping it is because of the fleas, and the frontline will help! If you happen to see this, I would love to hear an update from you... you probably won't though, since it has been a year since you have posted lol
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874521 tn?1424116797
I am so glad to read Gigi is showing some signs of improvement, I too use only vinegar solutions for all my cleaning, so many products out there are sooooo harmful to kitties.
I'm glad you got rid of the household FLEAS....however please don't use raid anywhere near a cat again, this is a very powerful insecticide and I would imagine along with the frontline did cause her a very serious reaction. the site I previously sent you gives some great ideas for a much safer removal, you will need to use this in a few days b/c there will also be the eggs that were left unharmed......
please continue to update us on Gigi's condition.....I would keep her out of the carpeted area for a few days to be sure she isn't exposed to anymore chemicals.
good luck and many ((>^.^<))
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3114542 tn?1341839684
Hi Opus88, and thanks for your reply.  Yes I have thought of that and yes it is way in her system, I will bath her today I was waiting a little before hand to let her calm down a little.  
And YES VERY sure about the fleas.  You could see them, my eyes are not what they use to be.  She had the big ones that had been gorging on her and she had the black flea stuff, that when put a little water on it turned to blood. Her blood!!  
Now I already use organic materials on carpet and tile floor, I only use White Vinegar on both, now I did use a can on RAID this time to kill the flea, I put them both in the spare room sprayed the rest of the house, waiting for it to dry then Vacumed, Then did the same to the spare room, I never thought about the raid being a problem.  It really did get rid of the fleas though!!, IT worked great in fact.  So now I will clean the carpet with water and vinegar to get that up.  You may be right about why she will not go on it now!!  I hope this helps her.  
Also checked her nose yesterday and it is cool and wet again, so that is a positive sign!!  And I am very happy about that.  
I can see her getting a little better, she is eating and drinking.  I worry more about her mental condition, it was already bad and I would hate to think I made it worse!!  
Well again thanks for the advise, I guess I was so worried I had to reach out.  
Thanks Tess
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi msstess and welcome. this sounds very strange, all I can think of is these flea control products contain insecticides/pesticides and some can be very toxic to pets and humans both. frontline contains FIPRONIL which can cause 'over excitation' of the nervous system...could this be whats wrong???
if Gigi were over sensitive to this product perhaps its cause her nervous behavior to become even worse.
Did you use this on the carpet as well? could than sure be 'over exposure'...signs of fipronil poisioning are dizziness,agitation and seizures to name a few.

http://www.simplesteps.org/greenpaws-products#/h/+/+/623

I would give her another bath to get this all off her, although by now it would mostly have been absorbed into her system.....if you have it on the carpet I would shampoo with plain water...no chemicals of any kind.

are you sure it was fleas to begin with? did you just see the sores or did you actually see fleas??????

If Gigi doesn't show some return to her old behavior after this bath I would suggest you take her to a Vet, or at least phone one....to see if they think this could be a poisoning situation...sure hope not, please keep us posted and best of luck to poor Gigi.

you can also post this question to Medhelp's Vet expert and see what he thinks...

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Animal-Health---General/show/112?controller=forums&action=show&id=112&camp=msc
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