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| What are fleas?
Fleas are small wingless parasitic insects that live off the blood of mammals and birds. Frequently, fleas just bother our furry friends, but sometimes they develop allergic reactions to the fleas' saliva. Often leading to the development of rashes, and even loss of fur from excessive scratching, licking or biting (alopecia). This is called flea allergy dermatitis, and when present can lead to secondary skin infections from the biting and scratching done to alleviate the itching.
What is Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
The most common allergy that animals have is flea allergy dermatitis. It is caused by the fleas' saliva, which your pet can develop an allergy to, as there are 15 different allergens in their saliva. Dogs and cats can develop flea saliva allergies at any point in their life, and once they have it, it is seldom rectified.
Contrary to all logic, most animals that have allergies to flea bites actually have very few fleas. This is because they spend so much time grooming themselves to relieve their itching that they remove most of the fleas. Since they are so allergic to the bites, even one or two bites a month can cause severe itching, and oftentimes even worse problems can arise. Since your pet is so itchy they can create hot spots from biting and licking (areas where there is little or no fur left from licking and biting) which in turn can lead to secondary skin infections, lowering your pet's health and resistance to fleas even further.
How to tell if your pet has Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
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| Extreme itchiness
Scratching, licking and biting at a specific area; in dogs often on the base of their tail, and cats around their neck.
Skin lesions from biting, and secondary skin infections
Skin damage
Hot spots
Alopecia
Frequent occurrences of tapeworm infection, from ingesting fleas carrying tapeworm eggs. |
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What to do if you think your pet has flea allergies.
Go to the vet, they can perform intradermal skin tests which will show whether your pet any other allergies as well. However it is important to know that these are not always correct, sometimes your dog or cat may have a false negative result from testing.
Keep track of what time during the year your pet is itchy, often times, this is a problem during the summer and fall seasons. Or an infrequent problem coinciding with a flea infestation.
It is also important to eliminate any other health problems, such as; food allergy, atopy, trauma or other skin irritation, sarcoptic mange, cheyletiellosis (mites), otitis externa (ear infections) and primary keratinization defects. |
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Treatment of flea allergy dermatitis primarily involves the prevention of fleas from coming into contact with your pet. This is done by eliminating adult and immature fleas in the environment.
There are many products available and it is important to remember that the product(s) used must also repel fleas. Treating only with products that kill fleas doesn't stop the fleas from biting your pet, and your pet can still be miserable with one of two bites.
Preventatives – do not kill adult fleas, but prevent their eggs from developing into adult fleas.
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1) Program - contains Lufenuron an agent which inhibits the development of flea eggs. It comes in a monthly pill, and is available for both dogs and cats. Program can be used with other products such as Capstar. For more information click here.
2) Frontline - contains Fipronil an anti-parasitic agent which kills adult fleas and ticks. It is a topical solution spread over hotspots or along a line down the spine of your pet. This product is administered once a month (every 30 days), and can withstand bathing and swimming, it is however recommended to avoid shampooing until 48hrs after administration.
4) Advantage - contains Imidacloprid, and agent which attacks the nervous system of insects causing death. It is a topical solution that remains in the oils of the skin and hair, it is not absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. Advantage is applied every month, and is effective even after bathing and or swimming. |
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Kill fleas on contact but do not stop the eggs from reaching maturity.
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1) Capstar - contains Nitenpryam, and agent which interferes with nerve transmission and begins to kill adult fleas within 30 minutes. It comes in a pill form to be administered monthly. Capstar can be used with products such as Program.
2) EctoKyl Shampoo – contains Pyrethrin, is triple strength to kill fleas and ticks as well as condition the coat.
3) “Bamboo” Dog Pin/Bristle Brush & Flea Comb – will help keep fleas off your pet until other products start working. |
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| Source areas both indoors and out should be identified and treated. Carpets as well as any other area where your pet rests should be vacuumed, bedding should be washed. For outdoor areas, keep dead vegetation away . |
1) Siphotrol Plus II Premise Spray – contains Precor, that provides 30 weeks of protection, and treats up to 2,000 sq. ft.
2) Knockout Room and Area Fogger – contains Pyrethrins, Permethrin and IGR (Insect Growth Regulator), treats up to 6,000 cubic feet.
3) Adams Yard Spray – contains (s)-cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl-(S)-4-chloro-alpha-(1-methylethyl) benzeneacetate 0.44% a powerful concentrate that kills fleas and ticks on contact, treats up to 6,000 sq. ft.
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| If your pet also has secondary skin infections it is important to treat those with antibiotics or antifungal drugs. |
1) Nolvasan Ointment – contains Chlorhexidine acetate, an antibacterial and antifungal ointment.
2) Dermazole Shampoo – contains Miconazole and Salicylic Acid, for use as a shampoo on dermatological conditions.
3) Red Jel Ointment – by Trophy Animal Health Care, can be used as a bactericidal, fungicidal, topical dog antibiotic treatment.
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| If you have taken every precaution and your pet still occasionally gets itchy there are products which contain antihistamines/steroids that can relieve the itch and speed up your pets' recovery process. |
1) DermAllay Shampoo – is for itchy, dry and/or sensitive skin.
2) Chlorpheniramine Tablets – an oral antihistamine.
3) Vita-Soothe – contains Aloe and Oatmeal for instant relief from itching. |
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| Hypo sensitization – this is a treatment where a dog undergoes a series of injections to become desensitized to flea bites and therefore minimizing the reaction from each bite. However, this treatment is new and does not appear to be effective in every case, particularly in cats. |
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| Got Fleas? - Click here for more information. |
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