Pets Can Become Allergic to Flea Bites
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
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.
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 sould be checked from flea-infested
patients to make sure that they are not afflicted with this worm
as well.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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