Flea Allergies: Blood Sucking Parasites that will Haunt You
Flea Allergies: I previously talked about fleas and their bloodsucking ancestries but, they are here to stay! Even during the winter these bloodsucking pests are reborn hatching larvae in the heater vents or the couch you’re sitting in right now. The struggle is real, and to defeat these annoying pest consider this the best guide to eliminate in your home and your pets!
Flea Allergies: Blood Sucking Parasites that will Haunt You
What are fleas?
Fleas are dark brown, jumping insects that feed on their hosts blood by biting animals (including people). There are many species of these blood sucking parasites, but the cat flea is the most common seen on dogs and can bite people.
Adult fleas only make up 5% percent of the population hiding inside your home because there are several life stages.
Frustrating flea cycles that will make your flea treatment go crazy!
If your pet is on effective flea treatment, you should be bombing and vacuuming your house as frequent as possible (with all animals vacated the home) for several months to battle these ongoing life stages of the flea:
- egg
- larva
- pupa
For every adult flea inside your home there could be thousands of more eggs laid and create a nuisance for your furry family.
Flea Allergies
An allergy is an infection in which the bodies immune system reacts excessively to substances such as fleas, pollens, certain foods. When fleas bite the hosts skin, it passes saliva into your pets skin. Some pets have allergic reactions. Flea allergies are hypersensitivity after a flea bites. A female flea on average bites 50 times or more per day.
What are the flea allergy signs?
- Consistent itchy and scratchy skin – biting areas
- Excessive licking / grooming
- Hair thinning loss (Especially the middle or back of the abdomen or base of the tail).
The most common itching the skin can lead to a skin condition known as a flea allergy dermatitis. This condition can cause “hot spots” which are red, circular, and oozing painful infected area.
Missing hair, crusts, abrasions, and pimple-like bumps can be symptoms of a flea allergy. Hot spots can become infected, so consult your veterinarian for proper cleaning and medication.
At risk for flea allergies?
The average age for development of flea allergy is 3-5 years, any animal has the potential risk anytime of year. Summer months of flea infestations are at the highest peak, fleas can be a year round problem inside and out!
Even sporadic exposure to fleas can lead to flea allergy dermatitis. Any pet that has passed where another animal has walked is at risk for a blood sucking, newly born flea.
How will my veterinarian treat for flea allergy?
A snout to tail examination is the preventive step in diagnosing a flea allergy. The vet will carefully examine for signs of fleas and or flea dirt, scratching, missing hair, and skin sores. Since symptoms of fleas mimic other skin allergies, the doctor will perform other tests to rule out flea dermatitis.
There are many flea medications to prevent fleas and ticks, and help other skin issues that may be going on. The best way to fight flea allergy is to prevent the fleas. Topical medications such as FirstShield Trio (for dogs only) FirstShield (for felines only). If you prefer chewable tablets try Simparica (for dogs only) and Bravecto (for cats only).
21-55 lbs first shield trio
5< -20 lbs first shield trio
Always get your veterinarian approval for appropriate flea and tick preventive!
Continuous monthly use all year round is needed to prevent reinfestation. Your vet may also recommend to treat your yard with an all-natural parasite prevention such as “Diatomaceous Earth“.
Clean home is part of preventing and cleaning for fleas
- Treat all pets in the house with approved preventive
- Put the pets bed in hot soapy water
- Clean all surfaces where your pets spend most time
- Vacuum cracks as often as possible
- Throw away vacuum bags outside