Financial Concerns And Providing Estimates
Depending on how many pets are in the household treatment can be a significant financial burden for clients. Providing estimates on the different flea products available is essential and will help with owner compliance. Many flea products protect against other ectoparasites such as mites, lice, and, ticks as well as internal parasites such as heartworms, and roundworms.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis In Cats: What You Need To Know
Learn how to tell if your cat has FAD.
Cats love to self-groom. You’ll often find them cleaning themselves for what seems like hours on end. But sometimes when your cat compulsively licks and scratches at their skin, it could be a sign of a problem.
If your cat’s constant grooming causes scratches and lesions on their skin, it’s time to talk to your vet, as this could be a sign of flea allergy dermatitis. Did you know your cat could be allergic to fleas?
What Is Flea Allergy Dermatitis
This condition, also known as FAD or flea bite hypersensitivity, is an allergy to the saliva injected into your pet’s skin when a flea bites them. While flea bites can be annoying, irritating and even painful for all cats, pets with FAD can suffer from extreme skin irritation and itchiness with only a few flea bites that set off a chain reaction under the skin.
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Diagnosing Flea Allergies In Cats
Diagnosing cat flea allergy is easier if you find fleas or flea dirt, but, too often, you dont find them on an allergic cat. The cat is grooming them off so rapidly, you dont find any evidence. The diagnosis may be made by seeing how the cat responds to appropriate treatment.
Often the biggest challenge veterinarians have is convincing the cat parent that fleas can be the problem. Fleas arent seen so its difficult to believe they are there. Just one flea can cause intense itching for up to 3 months.
The cat parent may also be treating the cat for fleas, however, not all flea prevention works 100%, and they kill the flea in different ways. Some repel, some kill on contact, and some the flea must bite.
To complicate things further, your cat may have other allergies or conditions that also cause itchy skin. In these cases, you may need to treat for fleas and see how much relief your cat has. If you still have an itchy cat, you will need to look for other causes.
Symptoms Of Flea Allergy Dermatitis In Cats
If your cat has flea allergy dermatitis, their skin will appear red , be mildly to severely itchy , and may have crusts or small bumps . Most pet parents notice their cat scratching frequently and excessively grooming. You may also notice hair loss on the head, neck, or back . Any itching and hair loss in these locations is suggestive of flea allergy dermatitis.
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What Is Flea Allergy Dermatitis In Cats
Flea allergy dermatitis is a common skin allergy in cats that can occur from a flea bite. Cats can be allergic to the fleas saliva, which causes the release of a histamine-like compound, resulting in a very itchy skin condition. Flea allergy dermatitis commonly occurs on the head, neck, and back .
Allergies are caused by a prior exposure to an allergen. If the bodys immune system recognizes the substance as foreign, a reaction may occur. One flea bite can be enough to make your cats skin itchy for up to 2 weeks.
Cats may also be allergic to environmental allergens or have food allergies . Flea allergy dermatitis differs from food and environmental allergies based on the pattern of skin lesions and the history of the pet.
What Home Remedy Stops Flea Bites From Itching
Home remedies to soothe or relieve itching from flea bites include ice packs, Aloe Vera, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, tea tree oil, and used tea bags. Prevent flea bites by keeping your pets and home free of fleas. Use flea preventive on your pets, and keep your home clean and vacuum pet areas regularly.
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Why Does Flea Allergy Dermatitis Develop
Flea allergy dermatitis occurs in pets that develop a hypersensitivity to flea saliva. When these pets are bitten by a flea, the itching that results from the injection of saliva is much more severe and prolonged than what normal pets experience. While some dogs and cats can easily tolerate a moderate number of flea bites each day, flea-allergic pets do not!
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What Is A Flea Allergy In Cats
A flea allergy, or flea allergy dermatitis, occurs when a cat has an allergic reaction to a flea bite on his skin. Dogs and cats can develop allergies to fleas, but the level of their symptoms will vary from pet to pet based on their sensitivity.
The allergic reaction is triggered by certain proteins in the fleas saliva. The saliva is injected into the cat when bitten by the flea. It may only take a couple of bites to make a break out in symptoms. Some cats are so allergic that it may take just a single bite to cause an intense reaction.
Flea allergies do not pose a serious threat to your cat, but it can make life very uncomfortable if left untreated, leading to skin issues and raising the potential to develop secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Cats usually develop flea allergies when they are still young, but allergies can develop at any age.
As mentioned, the culprit for a flea allergy is believed to be the saliva in the flea that is excreted when the insect bites the animal. While the biting and saliva are what causes irritation to the cats skin, the real issue lies in if the flea is able to lay eggs, as this can lead to a much bigger issue if an infestation is allowed to develop.
Giving Injections To Cats
Certain medical conditions can be controlled by the use of drugs that are only available in an injectable format. In many cases, cat owners are willing and able to administer these medications at home. Most cats do not seem to mind routine injections which are given in the subcutaneous tissue. This handout provides step by step instructions. Dispose of the used needles and syringes properly.
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Clinical Findings Of Flea Allergy Dermatitis In Dogs And Cats
Clinical signs associated with FAD are variable and depend on frequency of flea exposure, duration of disease, presence of secondary or other concurrent skin disease, extent of hypersensitivity, and effects of previous or current treatment. Nonallergic animals may have few clinical signs other than occasional scratching due to annoyance caused by flea bites. Those patients that are allergic will typically have a dermatitis characterized by pruritus.
In dogs, the pruritus associated with FAD can be intense and may manifest over the entire body. Classic clinical signs are papulocrustous lesions distributed on the lower back, tailhead, and caudal and inner thighs. Dogs may be particularly sensitive in the flanks, caudal and medial thighs, ventral abdomen, lower back, neck, and ears. Affected dogs are likely to be restless and uncomfortable, spending much time scratching, licking, rubbing, chewing, and even nibbling at the skin. Hair may be stained brown from the licking and is often broken off. Common secondary lesions include areas of alopecia, erythema, hyperpigmented skin, scaling, papules, and broken papules covered with reddish brown crusts. The rump and tailhead areas are typically the first, most evident, areas affected. As FAD progresses and becomes chronic, the areas become alopecic, lichenified, and hyperpigmented, and secondary bacterial and yeast infections occur.
Treatment Of Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Your veterinarian can help you determine the best way to treat your dog if hes having an allergic reaction to fleas.
Some possible forms of treatment include the following:
- Cytopoint: an anti-itch injection that lasts four to eight weeks
- Apoquel: an immune-modulating pill that helps with both itch and inflammation
- Cyclosporine : an immune-modulating pill that targets inflammation
There are some over-the-counter medications you can use, like antihistamines, but these wont be as effective as prescriptions and you should ideally use them under the guidance of your veterinarian.
If you choose to give your dog an antihistamine, make sure it doesnt contain decongestants or alcohol, which can be dangerous for him.
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Preventing Flea Allergy Dermatitis
You can prevent flea allergy dermatitis by keeping fleas off your cat. Use a flea product throughout the flea season, beginning use one month before the start of the flea season and continuing use for one month after the flea season. Remove fleas, eggs and larvae from your cat’s environment by vacuuming and cleaning carpets regularly. Keep upholstery and curtains clean as well, since fleas can lay their eggs inthese locations.
What Does Flea Allergy Dermatitis Look Like
Flea allergy dermatitis is one of the three most pruritic skin diseases, along with food allergy and sarcoptic mange. It is characterized by often severe pruritus in both dogs and cats and often incessant grooming in cats. Flea allergy dermatitis can occur in any animal regardless of flea burden or length of exposure. Dogs tend to show secondary lesions: excoriations, alopecia, lichenification, scaling, crusting, and sometimes pyotraumatic dermatitis . Affected sites include the lower back, perineum, tailhead, hindlimbs, and umbilical region. . Lesions can become generalized and mimic atopy or scabies, but usually spare the head.
The clinical signs may be seasonal or constant, depending on flea exposure. Young pups with early-onset FAD may have unique clinical signs with a widespread papular, very pruritic dermatitis mimicking scabies. Cats may have normal-looking skin with hair loss due to excessive licking, usually over the back or caudal ventral abdomen. A reaction resulting in symmetrical alopecia is common. Cats can also present with eosinophilic granuloma complex lesions or head and neck pruritus. However, miliary dermatitis, a generalized papular crusting dermatitis, is usually considered the most typical lesion of FAD in the cat.
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What Is The Best Flea Treatment For Cats
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How Is Miliary Dermatitis Treated
Treatment involves removing the offending irritant or allergen and reducing the cat’s clinical signs. A flea preventive is applied if flea allergy dermatitis is suspected. Live fleas are seldom seen on cats, due to their fastidious grooming habits.
“Corticosteroids are given to make the cat feel more comfortable and reduce the constant itching.”
Medicated baths or sprays may be used in cases of parasite infection such as mites or lice. A hypoallergenic food trial is recommended in cases suspected of having a food allergy as a component of the allergy. Your veterinarian may prescribe a short course of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids to make the cat feel more comfortable and reduce the constant itching while the specific treatment takes effect. Other treatments may include antihistamines, essential fatty acids, and cyclosporine .
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How Can I Prevent Fleas That Trigger Fad On My Cat
Flea treatment and prevention products are key to helping stop FAD from becoming an ongoing issue. Even if your cat doesn’t have FAD, it’s important to actively try to prevent fleas, since flea bacteria causes Bartonella, a disease that can lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease and seizures. Flea ingestion can also cause tapeworms, which can lead to intestinal issues. By staying vigilant with regular preventive flea treatments, you can help prevent annoying, biting fleas that infest your cat and make them miserable.
What Does This Reaction To Fleabites Do To The Cat
A cat with FAD experiences intense itching and subsequently chews, licks, or scratches the affected site nonstop. This causes hair loss and can lead to open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to develop.
The area most commonly involved in FAD is over the rump, just in front of the tail. Many flea-allergic cats chew or lick the hair off their legs. Itching and hair loss around the tail base, neck, and head should be considered suspicious for flea allergy dermatitis. In addition, an affected cat may have numerous, small scabs around the head and neck. These scabs are often referred to as miliary lesions, a term that was coined because the scabs look like millet seeds .
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Help Your Pet Get Relief
This isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It’s a process.
Step 1: See your petâs veterinarian. Donât assume that because you canât see any fleas, your dog or cat doesnât have a flea allergy. Often, animals with one groom themselves constantly. They may remove any fleas from their bodies — but the allergic reaction from bites can last for weeks.
âIf your dog or cat is scratching itself, get to a vet right away,â says Ari Zabell, DVM, a veterinarian and client advocate at Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR. âFleas and flea allergies are common, but it could also be another health problem, like a tick bite. Itâs important to get the right diagnosis before your pet starts treatment.â
A vet will check your petâs fur and skin thoroughly. Theyâll check for fleas and âflea dirt,â which is flea poop that looks like pepper flakes. It often turns red when it’s wet. If the vet suspects another cause for your petâs itching, they may order certain blood or skin tests to be sure. They’ll also make sure that your dog or cat doesnât have any open wounds.
âIf a pet is itching or chewing on itself a lot, bacteria or yeast can get into the skin and cause an infection,â says Elizabeth A. Layne, DVM, a clinical instructor of dermatology and allergy at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
You may have heard that human antihistamines can treat pet allergies. Maybe, but probably not.
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Why Is My Female Cat Peeing Everywhere
There could be a few reasons why your female cat is peeing everywhere. One reason could be that she is not spayed and is in heat. Another reason could be that she is marking her territory because she feels like she is being threatened by another animal in the house. If your cat is spayed and is still peeing everywhere, she could have a urinary tract infection or other medical condition that is causing her to urinate excessively. If your cat is peeing outside of her litter box, it is important to take her to the vet to rule out any medical causes and to find out the best way to stop the behavior.
The most common reason cats are taken to an animal shelter is an inappropriate urination condition known as elimination issues. At some point in their lives, at least 10% of cats experience elimination issues. To keep your cat from having to urinate and defecate elsewhere, clean the litter box. Cats that have difficulty with bladder control may respond to stress as a result. Cats are sensitive to changes in routine, which can cause anxiety. If your cat does not like the texture of the new litter, you may want to change it. If this is the case, you may need to consider purchasing an additional litter box for your home.
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What Is Feline Miliary Dermatitis
Feline miliary dermatitis is a general term used to describe a skin condition in cats that most commonly results from an allergic reaction. The term ‘miliary’ is derived from the word milium, which is Latin for ‘millet’, as the small crusted lesions of miliary dermatitis resemble millet seeds. Frequently these lesions can be felt rather than seen.
“In some cases, even touching the affected skin causes the cat to scratch, lick, or twitch.”
Clinically, the patient has a very itchy rash and may lick, bite, and scratch at the affected skin. In some cases, even touching the affected skin causes the cat to scratch, lick, or twitch. The rash quickly progresses to small lesions with scabs on them these may be the result of self-trauma, or the result of the allergic reaction itself. The most commonly affected areas include: lower spine and around the base of the tail, face, ears, neck, flanks, and belly. The coat often becomes thin in affected areas. In severe cases, the rash becomes infected, which is seen as pustules or pimple-like lesions. Affected cats spend a lot of time grooming and scratching the affected areas.
Infectious Dermatitis In Cats
Ringworm, fungal and yeast infections can cause all sorts of skin problems in cats, known as infectious dermatitis. Infectious dermatitis is easily passed to other cats and, in the case of ringworm, people too. Treatment may involves clipping the cats fur to apply suitable creams as well as any oral or topical treatments appropriate to the underlying cause
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