Despite using a name brand of flea treatment for two months, Herald the cat - who is allergic to flea saliva - has some bad sores. I was out doing field work for part of the week, and came home to a very unhappy kitty, who had licked most of his fur off a patch on his side. But using a flea comb came up with nothing most of the time. Anyway, got him in to his Vet this afternoon, where he got lots of sympathy. I found out that that particular brand of flea treatment (F******ne) has been known to fail, but there is better out there - the chief competitor I presume (Ad*******). Anyway, he got a cortisone shot, is on antibiotics, has some spray for his sores (which apparently he won't like the smell of), and new flea treatment. Now that the fleas have been killed off, he's resting confortablly for the first time in days.

And I feel like a heel. Something completely preventable, I was even TRYING to prevent - got completely out of control and my poor baby was miserable.

Naturally getting flea treatment for 3 cats + a dog, his other medications, and the office visit... the bill
Unfortunately all the furry beasts in the house have to be treated.

If there's any good out of this.... his frantic itching has gotten him some extra exercise and he's lost a bit of weight. He's down to 17 pounds. He even has a waist. Poor fella.