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Name
Flea Allergy, Feline
Short Description
Flea Allergy Dermatitis, Flea Bite Hypersensitivity
Affected Animals: Any breed or sex of cat. Dogs also can be allergic to fleas.
Overview:
The bite from a single flea will have a minimal
effect on a normal cat, but a cat with flea allergy will experience
immediate itching and swelling. Flea allergy is the feline allergic
skin disorder most commonly found. Cats that have it are
hypersensitive to fleabites; their skin becomes inflamed, irritated
and itchy in reaction to allergen in the saliva that fleas pass into
the skin when they bite. The skin reaction and intense itching can
lead to hair loss and skin lesions.
Treating flea allergy requires eliminating all fleas from a cat's
environment. Until complete flea control is achieved, however, there
are medications that alleviate the itchiness and discomfort.
Clinical Signs: The clinical signs of flea allergy in the cat are
less consistent than in the dog. Pruritus, excessive grooming,
alopecia, barbered hairs, eruptive skin lesions with hemorrhagic
crusts called miliary dermatitis are noted commonly. Miliary
dermatitis is a nonspecific skin lesion with different possible
causes, but fleabite hypersensitivity is the most common cause. The
distribution of lesions can be generalized, confined to the head and
neck, or involve the caudal legs and dorsal trunk region.
Eosinophilic plaques (elevated skin lesion containing eosinophils)
and ulcerations of the skin sometimes are noted in cats with flea
allergy.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include increased grooming,
rubbing, or scratching; loss of hair; crusts or erosions of the
skin; and red scab-like bumps. Red, raised skin lesions also can be
noted. Fleas or flea feces may be found in the fur.
Description:
Flea allergy is the most common feline allergic
skin disorder, affecting cats with an abnormal sensitivity to saliva
fleas inject into the skin when they bite. In reaction to fleabites,
allergic cats will have inflammation and irritation of their skin --
not to mention intense itchiness. Hair loss and skin lesions can
result when a cat scratches or bites its irritated skin. Several
different skin lesions can result from the allergic reaction, but
miliary dermatitis, which consists of raised bumps with a dried
blood scab, is the most common lesion noted.
The problem may occur year-round in warm climates or in
flea-infested indoor environments. In regions with cold winters the
allergy will appear seasonally during the warm months of the year.
Treatment of flea allergy requires eliminating the fleas from the
cat, other pets, and the surroundings. Temporary relief of itching,
using medications, is provided for severely affected cats until flea
control is achieved.
It may be difficult to detect fleas on a cat, but brushing it over a
white sheet may help: flea feces, a dark, black material, falling
from the cat's fur onto the sheet would suggest the presence of
fleas. A flea comb can also be used to look for the feces or the
fleas themselves. Cats that are itching excessively should be
examined often.
Diagnosis: The symptoms of flea allergy can mimic other
disorders of the skin. Before concluding that a cat is allergic to
fleas, the examining veterinarian first will have to rule out
allergies to food and inhalants, internal parasites, drug reactions,
hair follicle inflammation or folliculitis, fungal infection, and
other topical parasites -- all of which have similar signs as an
allergic reaction to fleas. A thorough history and physical exam
will be required, during which the veterinarian will analyze the
type and size of the skin lesions. Follow-up examination allows
assessment of the cat's response to therapies for flea allergy. Skin
tests and allergy testing by intradermal injection may be advised.
It is possible for a cat to have coexisting allergies, making
management of the symptoms more difficult.
Prognosis: Removing fleas from the environment usually will
put an end to the cat's allergic reactions. However, a cat with flea
allergy dermatitis always will remain allergic to fleas. The
severity of this allergy typically worsens with age. In addition, a
cat with concurrent allergies will have an incomplete recovery and
should be reevaluated by your veterinarian after flea control is
achieved.
Transmission or Cause:
When a flea bites a cat, it passes its saliva into the cat's skin.
Cats that are allergic to flea allergen in the saliva will
experience swelling, irritation, and itchiness. When the cat
scratches the bites, further trauma to the skin -- lesions, hair
loss, and even worse itchiness -- will result. A single fleabite can
cause these symptoms in an allergic cat; felines without this
allergy must be bitten many more times before their skin becomes
irritated.
Treatment: The goals of treatment are to eliminate the fleas
and to alleviate the cat's allergic reaction to them. The most
important step is to remove fleas completely from the cat and its
environment. There are many commercially available products that
kill fleas both indoors and outdoors as well as those designed for
use on the cat. Professional pest extermination companies, which
usually carry a satisfaction guarantee, are also an option. Note
that other household animals also must be treated for fleas to
prevent the allergic cat from becoming reinfested. A veterinarian
can customize a flea control program to meet an allergic cat's
individual needs.
Therapy for the allergic reaction is based on the severity and
history of the symptoms. Following an evaluation of the cat, the
veterinarian may prescribe any of the following medications:
corticosteroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, fatty acid supplements
such as skin oil replacement, and topical ointments. In addition, he
or she may recommend a commercially available product that kills
fleas before they have the chance to bite the cat; such products are
ideal for preventing further allergic stimulus.
The effectiveness of allergy shots, or hyposensitization, for
treating fleabite hypersensitivity remains controversial. They have
not been proven to benefit flea allergic cats. This method of
treatment, prescribed by a veterinary dermatologist, usually is
reserved as a final therapeutic step for severely afflicted animals.
Prevention: Prevent fleas from entering the household. If
evidence of fleas is noted on the cat or any other pets in the
household, early intervention can stop the problem before the
symptoms become severe.
