The Greatest Summer Threat to Your Companion
THE GREATEST THREAT TO YOUR COMPANION DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS!
Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Comments from Animal Doc AM MultiMedia 12June2012
Summer is just around the corner [8 DAYS AWAY] and the fleas are on parade. With fleas comes that dreaded flea allergy dermatitis.
As the temperatures rise and with the humidity of summer the life cycle of the flea and time needed for development reaches optimum conditions.
Female fleas lay their eggs 24-36 hours after a blood meal from a dog or cat. Hatching takes place in 1-10 days. A single female flea can lay 1000 eggs within 30 days. Many females will lay 2000 eggs during their life time.
Eggs most commonly hatch in the environment or home. Larva soon develops and feed on adult flea feces. Larva are sensitive to heat and after molting become the resistant pupa stage. Fleas can pupate up to six months. After emerging from the pupa or cocoon adult fleas migrate to a dog or cat [or other species] where feeding and mating takes place in 24 hours.
It is stunning to know that an adult female flea can consume 15 times their body weight in blood each day.
The flea allergy is very uncomfortable for the dog or cat. Flea saliva contains histamine like compounds. These compounds are released into the dog or cat during feeding. This triggers and immune or allergic response
It can be one of the most frustrating conditions for dogs and cats, as well as their owners: THE ITCHY SKIN OF THE FLEA ALLERGY.
Clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs include moderate to severe itchiness, multiple skin irritations and excoriations. papules, and overall redness of the skin. Self-trauma from biting is a common finding. The patient presents with multiple areas of hair loss at the base of the tail, over the back, the backs of the thighs, and the hind legs.
Even in the absence of fleas or flea dirt, physical exam findings consistent with these described signs warrant flea treatment with other testing for other causes of itching skin.
The difficult part for the veterinarian is to explain to the pet owner that a flea allergy is present without fleas being seen. Only one or two fleas can initiate the abnormal immune response to make the pet very uncomfortable.
To treat the problem, the pet, other pets in the home, and the environment must be treated. Do not use over-the-counter foggers. Call in a professional exterminator to make sure your home is flea free with an environmentally safe product. Make sure the company is informed if anyone in the home has pulmonary problems or if there are young or old people in the home that are not in good health. The top exterminators only utilize environmentally safe products. Check the credentials of the company you are using with the Department of Consumer Protection in your state.
The flea allergy must be treated by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will advise the use of glucocorticoids, antibiotics, and topical anti-inflammatory products. The newest topical flea products that are safe for your pet will be recommended by your veterinarian. Do not rely on over the counter products.
Only prescription products should be used with a prescription from your veterinarian. Rechecks may be needed until your pet is allergy free and the skin is fully healed.
Over the counter flea collars, sprays, and dips should be avoided. Some can actually be toxic to cats. The new topical prescription flea products are used 12 months per year because of the resistant pupa stage of the flea and hatching when heating systems are turned up in the cooler months in the north east.
Contact Animal Doc AM at the below address with any questions or write the question on this Blog.
E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com
A General and Urgent Care Practice
17 Seemans Lane-Milford, CT-06460
203-877-3221 & 1-800-838-3368
Fax 203-877-8301- E-Mail CDRSVMD@yahoo.com & DonDeForge@aol.com
Visit our New Website at www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
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