pyrethrins for flea control

Question
Hi

I wonder if you know of a web site or a store that you can purchase flea powder that is safe for kittens under 8 weeks old.  It seems that now that everyone uses revolution and other products that nobody sells old fashioned pyrethrin flea powder anymore.  My vet told me that I can't get revolution without a prescription and I can't afford a prescription for 14 rabbits.  I just want a can of flea powder and I used to buy it at Dr. Foster and Smiths but they don't carry it anymore.  I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Anything you can do to help me would be great.  I know my rabbits don't have fleas but I do like to let them play supervised in the yard so I like to keep a can of it around and mine is empty.

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Colleen,

I don't know of any place that sells flea powder with pyrethrins, and would never use any on my rabbits, in any case.  Pyrethrins are toxic and carcinogenic (they may come from plants, but the plants produce them to deter/kill herbivores!), and should not be used on any small animals.

It should not cost much for you to get enough Revolution to treat even 14 rabbits, since you don't use an entire tube for a rabbit.  We use only 6-8 drops on the back of the neck of each bunny, and they do great!  If you buy one tube of the "large dog" size Revolution (all the solutions are the same concentration; the size of the tube makes the difference), that should be enough to treat at least ten rabbits.

I found a place where you can get three tubes of the large dog Revolution for just under $50, and that will last you for a looooong time:

http://www.dogcatetc.com/012pfz08-8737b.html

If you do a Google product search, you might be able to find pyrethrin flea powder, but I still would not recommend it, *especially* if your rabbits don't have fleas.  We never treat for fleas or mites unless we see signs of them; it's usually only a compromised rabbit that will actually attract fleas, in our long experience.

I hope this helps.

Dana