Answer: Cats are liable to acquire fresh flea infectious from other cats which they meet outdoors. If repeated infection is problem the cat can be fitted with a flea collar. Flea collars are impregnated with an insecticide (usually either dichlorvous or lindane) which is released slowly as a vapour to kill the fleas. However, outdoors this vapour is easily dissipated by breezes, and as with other collars, there is a risk of strangulation if the collar gets caught on a projection. There has also been a number of report of flea collars causing either localized signs of poisoning (depression, vomiting, diarrhea and staggering), particularly if used at the same time as other anti-flea treatments.
If flea collar is used, it is recommended that after being removed from the packaging material the collar should be allowed to ‘air out’ for twenty-four hours, and then be fitted so that it is still possible to insert two fingers between the collar and the nick. No other treatment for fleas (tablets sprays, powders etc.) should be given to the cat for five days before or after wearing the collar, and it should be removed if untoward signs are seen.
An effective alternative is to hang a dichlorvous-impregnated fly strip above the cat’s bed, but again this should not be used at the same time as a flea collar are any other de-fleaing treatment.
