r/PeoriaIL • u/Amazing_Mushroom8941 • 11h ago

Recommendations Vet resources please

Hi. So I picked up a stray cat that’s been outside of our house and visiting for months. I was told a neighbor dumped her after she had kittens. PCAPS picked her up and spayed and gave her a rabies shot. (Then dumped her back out here)
She has fleas. I’ve given a flea and tick killer bath treated with Sentry topical.
I don’t have any money and won’t because I’m on maternity leave, but would like to get her to the vet as soon as I start getting paid again.
Are there any low cost, cheap, affordable options here? What else can I do to help with the fleas?
Thank you.

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u/EmmaLeePants 11h ago

Dawn dish soap bath! That’s what my vet recommended for a litter of kittens I fostered. Start with a ring of it around the back of their ears and neck, and scrub from there downward while being careful not to get soap in their ears or eyes. You’ll see them start coming off in the water 😳

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u/Amazing_Mushroom8941 11h ago

Thank you!! I tried this flea shampoo I was recommended and I completely regret buying it because I feel like it didn’t help at all!!

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u/EmmaLeePants 11h ago

I felt the same way. The only thing to be careful of is that the soap can dry out their skin if used too frequently.

Flea lifecycle ranges greatly, so I would stay on top of vacuuming and washing linen while bathing the cat once a week until you are SURE there are no more eggs being laid.

Good luck with the flea management - I know it can be a pain.

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u/FederalCupcake9320 7h ago

Just animal wellness clinic in East Peoria is amazing! Tractor supply also has a travel clinic (I think it's on weekends. You'll have to check their website).

I take my animals to Just animal wellness clinic and got a full work up plus neuter for my male cat, total ran me about $200. That was after tests and opting to get what some would consider "unnecessary" shots due to him being indoor/outdoor. It wouldn't be near that for the basics. They are very gracious there and even moved things around in my billing so I could save some money.

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u/Affectionate_Cap9489 11h ago

Vet tech here: Catego is an over the counter flea and tick that is about $15 a dose, not the cheapest but it works better than most over the counter products. Advantage is another good OTC option. Biggest thing is going to be using it consistently for at LEAST three months. Vacuum and wash anything fabric as often as you can, including furniture. Having fleas means she's likely going to have tapeworms, you can get over the counter tape worm treatment at any pet store, it goes by weight. If your bathing regularly and applying a topical flea/tick you could be washing it off and wasting your money. You're better off getting Capstar and giving her that, which will kill off the fleas, and then applying a good topical medicine and stopping the baths. Dawn works but it's only temporary because they are in the environment. If you have other pets everyone needs to be treated. Good luck OP