My vet prescribed cat shampoo. How often should I use it and brush?

If you bought it over the counter (OTC), no prescription is needed. Directions for use should be on the container. Do not bathe more often than directed since this may make the itching worse and can dry out the skin. Try to determine the underlying cause of the itch. This may require a visit and exam with your veterinarian. Causes may include skin infection, external parasites, allergies or food sensitivities.

The key to using the medicated shampoo is contact time. After lathering, the shampoo needs 10-15 minutes of contact time with the skin/coat before rinsing. The Dechra brand is fine. When there is an active skin issue bathing should be twice a week with using the spray or mousse in between. Once looking better, you can decrease frequency of the products.

For medicated shampoos, twice a week is usually enough, so I would call your vet to ask if there is a particular reason they recommended daily. There may be something about their skin condition that requires it. As far as the conzol, applying it as prescribed should be fine.

I would recommend sticking to the advice your vet gave you about holding off on bathing the cat. Some tick shampoos may not be safe for cats and may make the medication he prescribed ineffective. Sorry, I know it's frustrating but hopefully the problem will be under control very soon. Good luck!

Frequent brushing may decrease the amount of shedding. Fleas can be treated with a topical preventative such as Frontline or Revolution. You can purchase these from your veterinarian. Use a topical or oral flea preventative for at least 3 consecutive months, preferably year round. An oral medication such as Capstar can quickly kill any adult fleas on your cat. Again, purchase this from your vet. You will also need to treat the environment. This includes vacuuming everywhere your cat goes and washing all bedding. Follow up with an area treatment (flea bomb) to prevent reinfestation. Cays usually keep themselves very clean and don't require bathing more than once every 6-8 weeks if not longer. If your cat is not grooming regularly, have him examined by your vet to diagnose illness or injury as either can commonly cause a change in behavior or grooming habits.

Hello. I am sorry but legally we are not allowed to prescribe or recommend a medication for an animal that we have not directly examined. You can contact your veterinarian and ask them about providing you with a prescription. If your cat has not visited a veterinarian in a long time, you will have to have her examined and brought up to date on vaccinations including FDVRCP and Rabies before any grooming facility will accept her for an appointment. Please contact your regular veterinarian for the medication you need and it is likely that even they will need a current physical exam to prescribe something.

I would recommend either applying directly to the dog or your hands first. Most medicated shampoos I would recommend leaving on for 10 minutes and than washing off. They often do not lather like people shampoo does. Also I would recommend towel drying because heat from a hair dryer can deactivate the medications.