External
Parasites - Fleas
Knowledge is Power - Learn About the Enemy
The insect at the right is the common flea, Ctenochphalides cati, that is found in close to 100% of the flea infestations on dogs, cat, rabbits, and the rest of our pet population. For something so small, it can cause discomfort and even life threatening problems for our pets.
Fleas can cause:
- Anemia --- Fleas are blood-suckers and a large enough
infestation can cause the death of a very young, very old, very small,
or debilitated animal. Fleas have been known to cause the death of calves.
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) --- One of the most
common allergic problems seen in dogs and cats. Since there is a hypersensitivity
to the bite of the flea, a large infestation is not necessary to cause
discomfort and clinical signs. The most common place to find initial
signs of this malady is at the base of the tail fanning forward toward
the front of the body. The hair loss pattern resembles a Christmas tree.
- TapewormIinfection –Dipylidium Caninum is
the tapeworm spread by the flea. The flea larva ingests the tapeworm
egg and the dog or cat, through biting and chewing to rid themselves
of the flea, swallows the infected adult flea and the tapeworm develops
to adulthood.
- Feline Infectious Anemia – Fleas can carry
a parasite that attaches to the red blood cell. This parasite causes
destruction of the cell which leads to anemia and often life-threatening
disease.
- Cat Scratch Fever (Borrelliosis) – The flea is implicated in carrying this bacterium from infected to non-infected individuals. When the organism is excreted in the flea feces, it enters any small scrape or scratch the cat may have. The cat normally shows no sign of infection, but as it carries the organism in its bloodstream, fleas feeding on the blood, ingest the bacterium. Contaminated flea feces will act as a source of infection to humans handling the cat.
Misconceptions Regarding Flea Infestations:
- FALSE: Animals that are not allowed out of doors
will not have fleas.
TRUE: The flea will “hitch” a ride on anything that moves and that sometimes means a family member’s pants leg. Once indoors, the flea will find the pet, lay its eggs, and just thrive in the controlled environment of the indoors.
- FALSE: Animals that are not allowed out of doors
will not have fleas.
TRUE: The flea will “hitch” a ride on anything that moves and that sometimes means a family member’s pants leg. Once indoors, the flea will find the pet, lay its eggs, and just thrive in the controlled environment of the indoors.
- FALSE: I’m very allergic to fleas and I’m
not being bitten.
TRUE: Fleas will feed on humans but they prefer our pets. Just because a family member who is allergic to fleas is not being bitten does not prove the absence of fleas. If the infestation is not dense enough, humans will not be bitten.
- FALSE: My pets don’t have fleas because I
can’t find any on them.
TRUE: Dogs and cats are very adept at freeing themselves of fleas through grooming and biting the irritation that fleas cause. (Remember the tapeworm issue we addressed above?) If the infestation is not great, it may be difficult to find the fleas on the pet.
- FALSE: I have Advantage/Frontline/etc. so my pets
can’t have fleas.
TRUE: “Having” a flea control product may not be a guarantee that fleas are not present. The product must be “used” and used properly. If the product is not used regularly, is washed off, or if the flea population you are trying to defeat is resistant to the insecticide you are using, the fleas will continue to be present and multiply.
Any time your pet is scratching or biting itself excessively --- especially around the tail area--- have him checked by a veterinarian and maintain an open mind if the subject of fleas arises. Look at the flea life cycle below and consider that each stage of that cycle is dependant on temperature and humidity. The pupae may lie dormant for many months and still produce a live adult flea. A couple of websites have been included in case you’re interested in getting more flea information.
More information on fleas:
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