veterinary medicine

Why do we need to fight fleas?

The presence of fleas is generally well tolerated by cats and dogs, however some animals become sensitive to some components of the flea's saliva and develop a skin reaction, called flea allergy dermatitis ( DAP ). This is manifested by severe itching, localized redness and marked loss of hair due to the excessive act of licking and scratching, especially in the abdomen, the back of the thigh, the hips and the tail.

In other cases, the cat may develop miliary dermatitis, a very itchy rash that usually affects the trunk; numerous small crusts, then, cover the base of the tail. This condition can cause the cat to hurt itself with bites or scratches. In addition to causing irritation, heavy infestations can cause anemia in younger kittens, evident due to the animal's debilitation and weight loss.

Fleas can also cause diseases indirectly. They are, in fact, responsible for the transmission of the tapeworm ( Dipylidium caninum ), an intestinal parasitosis that can also create disturbances to humans, and of the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease ( Bartonella henselae ).