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Pets Can Become Allergic to Flea Bites
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Flea
Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) also termed flea-bite hypersensitivity, is an
allergic skin reaction to flea saliva. It can occur in both dogs and
cats when fleas bite them. Dogs and cats rarely get this form of
allergy before six months of age. Usually, the age of onset is around
three-to-six years of age. The primary clinical signs of this skin
disease are severe itching, biting (corn cob nibbles), and scratching,
usually involving the hind end, especially at the base of the tail or
inside the thighs. Cats often have an itchy patch over the base of the
tail or in their thighs, but may also scratch around the head and neck
region.
Diagnosis is by physical examination, and in cats, it may also be
associated with an increased eosinophil (a type of blood cell) count.
Note that in cats, it can be difficult to find fleas or flea dirt,
especially in longhaired breeds. Some cats are exquisitely sensitive,
and even one or a few fleas can cause significant itchiness and skin
lesions, so there just might not be few if any to be found on them.
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This allergic dermatitis is managed by eliminating exposure to adult
fleas and by providing symptomatic therapy to help increase pet comfort
while inflammation in the skin subsides. Flea control is accomplished
by using an adulticide (i.e. a product that kills adult fleas), such as
a flea powder, spray, topical agent, oral preparation or foam. Flea
shampoos tend to be minimally effective in preventing fleas since most
of the insecticide in the shampoo is washed off with the final rinse,
but does provide a quick kill of resident fleas.
There are currently several topical adulticides available from your
veterinarian that are given orally, are injected, or applied directly
onto the pet and that have been shown to be highly effective and safe
to apply. Thorough control of fleas may include environmental
treatments. In addition to the home, outdoor areas need to be treated
in warm seasons. There is no cure for flea-bite hypersensitivity
itself, so as long as fleas are present, the pet will have problems.
Those pets that are affected may also become more reactive as time goes
on. Medications may also be needed to help soothe the irrated skin and
clear up any secondary infection (dermatitis). Your veterinarian should
be consulted to determine which treatment option is best for your pet
based on its lifestyle, activity level, and environmental contacts.
Note that fleas can transmit a type of tapeworm intestinal parasite, so
a stool sample should be checked from flea-infested patients to make
sure that they are not afflicted with this worm as well.
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Your Dog Magazine
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