8 week old kitten health problems?

Question
This might get a bit lengthy, and I'm so sorry, but any advice would help! I'm at my wits end!

I thought I was getting a healthy kitten, but I've encountered problems so far. She has ear mites, for which we are trying Ear Miticide drops we got from PetCo.
She also has fleas. We gave her a bath this morning using our hair shampoo, but I'm still finding fleas, and its really hard for me to pick them out myself. I have Hartz Powder for cats, but I'm hesitant to use it bc it said its for kittens 12 weeks and up.
She also has been licking her lips and swallowing, like an influx of saliva. She hasn't vomited yet, she's been eating and drinking fine so far, and urinating and defecating fine. Today she seemed a bit less active than usual. She also sneezes occasionally. I can't afford any extensive vet bills, we weren't anticipating a cat with so many problems at first. So ANYTHING I can try at home for ANY of these problems first? THANKS so much!!

Answer
Hi Amy,

The kitten is old enough to have Frontline applied. This will kill fleas and protect her for one month. It kills fleas starting within hours. Be warned that it causes disorientation in the flea and will cause them to come to the surface of the fur. This can make it seem like her flea problem is worse at first. You can purchase Frontline through vets and at most major pet stores, as well as some Wal-Marts. I don't suggest the use of flea powders in cats in general - they tend to cause skin irritation and sometimes toxic reactions.

If the kitten is sneezing, lethargic and seems to have issues with her mouth, she may be dealing with a virus called calici. Around three quarters of cats are infected with this, most as young kittens. They typically become lifelong carriers. The virus causes sneezing, fever, and sores in the mouth, leading to excessive salivation. Some strains also cause joint pain and lameness. While the virus must run its course in about 10 days, antibiotics are generally prescribed because cats often come down with secondary bacterial infections. You should get her to the vet if she's still experiencing symptoms.

If you are going to the vet, I would suggest waiting on the flea treatments. You can purchase Revolution from the vet. This will kill the fleas and ear mites and will also kill roundworms, which most kittens are infected with. You might need to treat her for tape worms if they show up in her stool. These are passed through fleas. Treatment can be bought at pet stores (look for Tape Worm Tabs).

Young kittenhood is often the most expensive time of a cat's life until they are quite old. As babies, their immune systems are immature, and they contract every germ they encounter. They are even more likely to have ear mite and flea infestations because their immune systems don't fight them off and they are unable to groom as well as adults. As the kitten becomes immune to the germs she is exposed to, she will grow stronger and healthier (and less expensive!).

Good luck!
Jessica