© Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital FELINE DISEASES
Fleas
Although fleas are one of the most common causes of dermatitis
in cats and dogs they only spend about 5% of their life cycle
on the animal. Eggs are laid on the host, falling off into the
environment where they hatch to larvae. The larvae instinctively
move towards dark, sheltered areas where they undergo a moult,
changing to immature adults. Once the moult is complete these
pre-emergent adults move back toward light and warmth where they
remain waiting for a passing animal. They can survive in the environment
in this state for long periods of time. When stimulated by vibration,
heat and carbon dioxide from a passing animals body they emerge
in less than one second, leaping on to their new host. As a result,
when tackling a flea problem we have become more focussed on controlling
eggs in the environment than just killing individual fleas on
the animal. Recent studies have found adult fleas may develop a chemical bond
with their host animal, dying within a short time if they leave,
suggesting transfer of fleas directly from one animal to another
is an unlikely source of infestation. Typically flea dermatitis begins around the base of tail and along
the back. The animals become sensitized to flea saliva with most
of the damage being a result of self trauma. Animals with flea
allergic dermatitis only require small numbers of fleas to show
signs whereas animals which are not sensitized can carry large
numbers of fleas with little evidence of irritation. Flea allergy is traditionally treated with corticosteroids to
control the scratching and a flea control program. Residual topical
preparations or systemic insecticides are used to kill fleas on
the animal. Other preparations have been developed to halt the
development of the eggs in the environment to prevent reinfestation. Related sites |