Flea Allergy Dermatitis
What is Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
Flea allergy dermatitis as the name implies is an allergy
which affects both cats and dogs. It is a skin condition which
occurs when a flea bites a cat and the cat is hypersensitive to
the flea's saliva. Flea saliva contains many antigens which some
cats and dogs are very susceptible to. Your cat does not have to
have many fleas because just one bite from a flea can trigger an
allergic reaction. Flea Allergy Dermatitis is a very itchy and
painful disorder and is the most common allergy in cats and
dogs.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis is often seasonal with it occurring
more often in the warmer summer and fall months. It occurs in
direct relation to the period of time when fleas are most
prevalent. In warmer countries Flea Allergy Dermatitis can
persist year round as fleas tend not to die off in winter.
Cooler temperatures and low humidity tend to inhibit flea
development.
What are the Symptoms of
Flea Allergy Dermatitis?
| Symptoms include severe itching and
inflammation of the skin. The cat will groom itself for hours and scratch,
bite and lick at affected
areas often causing damage to the skin. Cats can develop small
crusts or scabs on the body (miliary
dermatitis).
Hair loss may occur mainly on the rump and extending up the back.
Damage done to the skin is a direct
result of self mutilation by the cat itself because of
the severe itchiness.
Secondary bacterial and yeast infections are common in chronic cases
of flea allergy dermatitis and you may notice an unpleasant odor coming
from your cat because of this.
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What is the Treatment for Flea Allergy
Dermatitis?
It is probably quite obvious that you need to get rid of fleas from
your cat. Just one single flea can cause terrible symptoms. Fleas must not only be removed from your
cat but also from your
house and environment so that the cat is not re-infested. Top spot flea
treatments such as Advantage, Revolution or Front Line can kill fleas
within hours. Using flea collars and insecticide shampoos is generally a
waste of time and money.
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Top Spot Flea Treatments
Advantage.
Revolution.
Front Line.
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You must be absolutely dedicated to the task of removing all fleas
from your cat and the cat's environment.
It is important to treat all of your pets
and your home on the same day.
Read more about how to Get Rid of
Fleas on your Cat and in your House
This article, explains simply how you can get rid of fleas from your
cat and the environment.
Antibiotics and antifungal medication my be prescribed by your vet to
treat the secondary bacterial or yeast infections. Your vet may put your
cat on a short course of prednisone to relieve the inflammation.
Sometimes antihistamines are prescribed. However, the only long term treatment for flea allergy dermatitis is
total flea control and not allowing one single flea to come in contact
with your cat.
Desensitizing shots tend not to work well with Flea Allergy
Dermatitis.
This article is for
information purposes only and is in no way intended to replace veterinary
advice. |
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