In spite of common belief, a normal dog or cat may experience only minor skin irritation in response to flea bites. You may not even see fleas because pets frequently eat them to get relief from the biting. Even in the presence of dozens of fleas, there may be very little itching. One study showed that in 80% of the cases where fleas were causing problems, the pet owner was unaware there were fleas present. But a flea allergic pet will still itch for up to a week from the flea bites they have already received. This occurs because the dog or cat develops an allergic response to the flea’s saliva which is deposited in the skin.
Your pet’s response to the intense itching is to chew, lick, or scratch. This causes hair loss and can lead to open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to begin. The area most commonly involved in dogs is over the rump (just in front of the tail). This is probably because fleas find this part of the dog more desirable. Many flea-allergic dogs also chew or lick the hair off of their legs. Cats often have scabs or sores on their neck from scratching.
The most important treatment for flea allergy is to get the pet away from all fleas. Therefore, strict flea control is the backbone of successful treatment. There are many products available for flea control. In some cases, multiple products may be needed. Some are used on your pet and some in the in the environment. Unfortunately, complete flea control is not always possible for dogs and cats that live outdoors in warm and humid climates, where a new population of fleas can hatch out every 14-21 days.
In addition to strict flea control, corticosteroids (or “cortisone” or “steroids”) can be used to block the allergic reaction and give relief. This is often a necessary part of dealing flea allergy. Significant side effects can occur from long term steroid use. For this reason, the goal is to administer the smallest amount of steroid needed to keep the dog or cat comfortable. Some dogs or cats develop a secondary bacterial infection in the skin. When this occurs, appropriate antibiotics must be used.
We strongly recommend preventive flea control so that your pet never has to deal with flea allergy dermatitis. Call us if you need advice on which product is best for your pet.