Flea Diseases Transmitted to Pets
Pets in the home suffer from a range of diseases as a result of fleas feasting on their blood. Some of such diseases are;
- Murine typhus from an infected flea.
- Bartonellosis also known as Cat Scratch Disease transmitted by cat fleas.
- Allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva leading to Parasitic Dermatitis. Rounded bumps appear on the animal’s skin, they scratch them until they become inflamed. If the situation is not controlled the animal will lose its hair and secondary infections will arise.
- Pets may feed on plague infested rodents and contract the plague also.
- Since fleas live on the blood of their host animal, that loss of blood can lead to iron deficiency and anemia especially in cases where the flea population is high.
- Dipylidium caninum is a form of tapeworm that is transmitted by fleas to cats when they eat an infested flea.
Flea Diseases Transmitted to Humans
Fleas are confirmed to be the cause of worldwide sicknesses, CDC reported that flea transmitted diseases skyrocketed between 2004 and 2016, plagues being the most commonly transmitted. Fleas continue to a big concern because exterminating them completely is proven to be a difficult task.
They transmit diseases from contaminated fecal matter to the human when they feed or suck their blood. These are some of the diseases people suffer from as a result of flea infestation;
- Cat Scratch disease is passed to humans from an oriental cat flea.
- Flea tapeworm; children are prone to contact this disease when they accidently ingest a contaminated flea feces.
- Murine typhus is passed to humans from an infected cat flea feces. When the bacteria-infested feces comes in contact with an open and untreated flea bite.
- Tungiasis arises when Chigoe flea pierces the skin, enters inside the body to feed. This flea bite causes the affected area to itch, leading to secondary infections.
Note that any bite that is left untreated and scratched repeatedly until the wound bleeds will develop into a serious ailment, especially when it starts to excrete puss.
Pet Allergic Reaction to Fleas
It is not every pet that suffers from minor itches and irritation, some suffer severe allergic reactions from flea infestation. The condition is termed Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
This skin disease arises due to the animals allergic reaction to a cat flea’s saliva. It reaches its peak in summer when the temperature is high. This is the perfect time for fleas to infest homes and attach themselves to pets playing outside the house.
Effects of The Itching
An animal suffering from Flea Allergy Dermatitis will itch excessively, when they scratch that itch they will lose large tufts of hair in the affected area.
A pet owner may notice that they emit bad odors, this occurs because the wounds are open and there is a bacterial infection.
Dogs suffering from FAD will eventually develop lesions on their inner thighs and lower backs and if left untreated those infested areas will be pigmented.
Cats are show signs of infestation on their hind legs and around their tails while dogs are affected first on the tip of their tails and rumps. Dogs are seen to scratch their thighs and flanks excessively because those are the area they are most sensitive to.
Treatment for Flea Allergic Reaction
- Bath and groom the pet thoroughly with shampoos recommended by professionals. There are many choices available and they come with different application methods.
- Purchase medications recommended by a veterinarian and administer orally to the ailing pets. This is to ensure that you do not confuse the treatment for cats with dogs because they differ.
- If you notice that there is a secondary infection on the open wounds and scabs, obtain antifungal and antibiotic from your vet and administer to the pets.
Be aware that if the pets are rid of fleas and are brought back to the same flea infested environment, they will still suffer from the attacks. Therefore, before they are brought home ensure that their surrounding is completely free from flea infestation.
Contact a professional exterminator to make sure that every flea is removed, then clean your beddings and floors properly.