losing weight

Question
QUESTION: I have two cats and a dog. My oldest cat is three(Big Mama) and my yongest cat is one(zozo) and my dog is one(Ford) also. Big mama grew up with my moms dogs and zozo grew up with Ford so they all get along. The problem is the my cats are to very diffrent weights. Although Big Mama was always a littler heaver than zozo, they both are given the same amount of food and water every day and at the same time. Zozo did run away for more than 10 days and were we lucky she was found and returned to us. Before she ran away she was very healthy and very fluffy(alot of fur, she is a long haired cat).Since she has returned she has been slowy losing weight and also losing her hair. She is very skiny now and im starting to worry. The other cat BIg Mama is just fine. There is nothing wrong with her. Both of their poop is fine (no worms). I thought that might be an opiton for my zozo losing weight but there is none. They both do have fleas but are being treated for them. What do you think might be the problem for zozo losing weight and hair but not big mama? Thanks so much for your time and caring about my animals
Kelly

ANSWER: Hi Kelly,

I'm hoping that zozo is vaccinated. If not she may have caught something while she was out. You might want to get her checked out by a vet.
One of the most likeliest explanations for the hair loss and the weight loss is a flea allergy. What are you using to treat them? Advantage or Frontline for cats works the best. Actually you can use the regular Advantage for the dogs on the cats. See this link. It cheaper using it.

http://www.lisaviolet.com/cathouse/advantage.html

See what happens in a week. If it is a flea allergy she should start getting better. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello, I have been treating them with Advantage. I have given it to them more than once in a year i keep buying it but the fleas wont go away. I'm scared to go to the vet because then i feel like a bad parent who let he kid get sick. She is not vaccinated. what kind of shots do you think she needs. Big mama was and outside cat before we moved and she wasn't vaccinated and she never got sick? Why is it only zozo? Thank you again for all your help!!!! Also what kind of signs besides losing hair and weight that i can look for if it is flea allergens?
Kelly

Answer
Hi Kelly,

You are not a bad parent. I would take zozo to the vet to get checked out. Take a stool sample to be checked out.
Now onto some more stuff about getting rid of fleas. Ask your vet for a drug called Capstar. This will kill any fleas on your cat immediately. Then apply Advantage or Frontline. Then vacuum your rugs with a fleacollar in the vacuum bag to kill the larvae and eggs you pull up. Keep using the vacuum and collar trick for about 3 weeks. This should take care of the flea cycle in the house. Keep up with the Advantage on the cats for 2 months. Your cats should be flea free by then.

The vet will check out zozo and see if she caught anything while she was out. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen