Syd's New Friend

Syd has a new friend and he/she (won't let me get close enough to inspect) is almost a mirror image of him.  They are both about the same size and they both are guardians of the garden.  No birds in this garden!  Not this year.  Syd has been going out almost every morning and every evening.  He still does not have fleas (since February 18th when I left my sisters house) as I have been treating him with Diatonaceous Earth which was recommended by my friend DD.  It is startling how many people I have told about this product, and how many of them ignore it, even when they say they don't like to use commercial products.  You would think people would want an alternative to poisoning their pet every 3 weeks.

Diatonaceous Earth

My cat Syd has a couple fleas this week as he has been going outside for an hour or so since it has gotten cooler.  I have the high bid on some Frontline on eBay right now.  Still it will be at least two more days till the auction ends and economy shipping just might hold it up for a few more days.  I was talking to my friend Deb last night on the phone and she recommended Diatonaceous Earth as an alternative to Frontline which is poison.  Syd hides after I administer Frontline, so I know it is not completely harmless in spite of what is on the label.  How could something be safe for cats, but not to be handled by humans?  So this morning I looked up Diatonaceous Earth and found that it kills bugs by getting in between their exoskeletons and cutting them up rather than poisoning them.  It is a mineral that is fossilized algae.  It works on cockroaches, fleas, bed bugs, and slugs.  So it definitely seems like a great alternative to poison.  I am gonna try it and it it works as well as Wikipedia says it does, then all the cats in Stubby's Cat Colony will get a dose.  Here is a link to this book on the subject.

Frontline Plus

I have to score some Frontline today.  Syd finally has fleas, and I can't wait the 4 days for an eBay auction to end and snail mail.  My new bank is not posting my monthly check on the 1st of the month, so I was not able to get it for him yesterday.  I have found that Frontline is the only flea medicine that is reliable.  There isn't any Frontline over on this side of town (so far), so I will need to travel in order to get it.  It is unfortunate that I can't buy a single dose as I am trying to save money toward my upcoming move.  It is a trade off like most things.  A single dose on eBay would cost $12.95.  3 doses over $30.  If I go to a PetPeople type place, it may be even more but I can get it today.  If I were staying, I would try to get a big bottle that I could use on Stubby and his cat colony.  They don't seem to have fleas though.  Syd is late in getting them this year.  I think that is due to the brewers yeast tablets he chews every day and that he doesn't go outside much.  I brush him everyday.  I am sure that helps. 

Treating Ear Mites

When I dropped Stubby off at SOS, I authorized a rabies shot for an additional $6. They called me when he was waking up and told me he had ear mites. I did not authorize an ear mite injection as I reasoned that if Stubby had ear mites all the cats who interact with him have them. I don't throw money away, particularly money that has been generously donated. I am hoping to medicate all of them as I can catch them and using mineral oil in the syringe that I use to administer Stubby's antibiotic for his eye infection. He was pretty infected and infested when i took him in. Today he is noticeably better. I won't say he likes his antibiotic or the ritual we go through for me to get it into him; but he hangs out now all day long and accompanies me wherever I go. We have bonded. I am still hoping to raise the money to get his broken off canine extracted. Please donated to Stubby's Surgery located at the top right of this blog. Thank you in behalf of all the kitties who live outside here. I will be trying to score some Frontline soon. My neighbor Mayda gives the outside cats garlic, so fleas might not be an issue this year, but I want to be prepared. Syd will certainly get them and bring them into the house. It is just something that happens in the cycle of a cats life.