Flea dermatitis in a cat: a description, causes, symptoms and features of treatment

One of the most particular problems that pet lovers face is flea dermatitis. In cats, the causes of this ailment are usually the banal infection of bloodsucking parasites. The fact is that when you bite the flea secretes saliva. Among other things, it contains substances that can provoke an allergic reaction in a pet.

The first signs of dermatitis appear in animals usually one to two weeks after the bite. In this case, the fleas themselves on the body of a pet (especially if the owners are well cared for by him) may not be at that time. It happens that for a cat with sensitive skin enough, even one or two bites of parasites that have jumped from another animal, or, for example, with street shoes of the owners. Of course, at the first signs of the development of pet allergy allergies should be started to treat.

Flea dermatitis in a cat: symptoms

Diagnosis of this disease can be on the following grounds:

• Presence of combs on the skin of the animal;
• Excessive dryness of the epidermis;
• Formation of puffiness, ulcers, blisters, nodules.

The skin of a cat suffering from flea dermatitis is usually hot. Thus the animal constantly feels an itch and a burning sensation. Especially strong combing can be observed around the base of the tail, on the abdomen and behind the ears. Another symptom of dermatitis can be a periodic twitching of the skin on the back, accompanied by meowing. External signs of this disease are clearly pronounced. However, flea dermatitis in a cat can easily be confused with other types of allergic reactions. And, consequently, choose the wrong treatment. Therefore, in veterinary clinics when diagnosing this kind of dermatitis, among other things, necessarily conducted intradermal research.

Types of flea dermatitis

By the nature of the course, this disease is chronic, acute or subacute. The last two forms are not considered particularly dangerous. However, with improper treatment, acute dermatitis in a cat can easily go into a chronic one. In this case, all the symptoms of the disease in the pet will disappear by themselves. But at the same time in the future they will be constantly manifested in the period of relapses. Curing chronic dermatitis is much more difficult than acute. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, it is advisable to show the cat to the vet.

Which animals are most predisposed?

Most often, this disease affects cats aged 10 months to 3 years. In particular, hairless and short-haired animals are predisposed to it. Flea dermatitis is one of the diseases related to the seasonal group. Most often, cats suffer from this form of allergy during the warm season. That is, when the risk of a flea bite is highest. Therefore, in spring, summer and autumn, the condition of the skin and fur of the pet should be watched especially carefully.

What should you do first when you have symptoms?

Before starting to treat flea dermatitis in cats, you should make sure that their skin no longer has parasites. If they are found, first of all it is necessary to take measures on their expulsion. To do this, you can use any suitable means: collars, shampoos, sprays, drops, etc. To treat fleas need not only fur, but also animal toys. If a cat has its own litter, it should be replaced with a new one. Of course, if there are other pets in the house, you should also process them. Otherwise, treatment for parasites will be ineffective. To prevent repeated infection with fleas, it is also advisable to limit the movement of the animal around the house in one room. In this case, carpets and upholstered furniture in a room chosen for temporary isolation of a pet should be sprinkled with an antiparasitic spray.

How to identify flea infection?

The presence of animal parasites on the skin can be determined by the following features:

• The cat constantly bites the skin;
• In the hair and in the ears fecal fleas are visible;
• On the epidermis there are hot spots.

In order to accurately diagnose the presence of fleas, the cat can be rubbed back against a white towel. If there are reddish-brown particles left on it, there certainly is parasites in the animal.

Treatment of dermatitis

Eliminating the pet from fleas, at the same time should try to alleviate his suffering because of burning and itching. Most often, flea allergic dermatitis in cats is treated with glucocorticosteroids. Preparations of this group relieve inflammation and reduce itching. Most often, these agents are administered to the animals by injection. But it is also possible to feed them in the form of tablets. The cat should be taken within 2-3 weeks. The dose should be gradually reduced.

Glucocorticosteroids are the remedies best suited for a disease such as flea dermatitis in cats. Treatment after the end of the course of taking medications should be continued with the use of special medications that support the effect. It is possible to relieve the itching of an animal not only with the help of tablets and injections, but also through various kinds of shampoos and other external means. Sometimes antihistamines are also used to treat dermatitis. Of course, the specific means that are most suitable for a cat should be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Accompanying illnesses

Actually, the dermatitis of the cat, as already mentioned, causes saliva fleas. However, in addition to all kinds of allergens, it can contain all kinds of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore flea dermatitis is often accompanied by others, no less dangerous to health, and sometimes for the life of a pet, diseases. To such can be attributed in the first place:

• atopic dermatitis;
• Bacterial skin infection.

Let's talk about them in more detail. Atopic dermatitis has the same symptoms as flea. It is primarily an itch, scratching and redness. However, unlike flea, atopic dermatitis in cats can not be cured. With the right approach, it can only be controlled more or less successfully. To treat a cat periodically if you have such a disease will have a lifetime. Appropriate drugs in this case should also be prescribed by a veterinarian.

At the same time, bacterial infection of the skin with dermatitis can manifest itself due to the fact that the animal, when combing the wound, introduces various pathogenic microorganisms into them. Mostly staphylococci or spirochaetes. Symptoms of bacterial infection can be fever, vomiting, drowsiness, a decrease in appetite in an animal. It is necessary to treat such diseases. Otherwise, the cat can develop serious complications.

Prevention

Unfortunately, the funds that prevent the development of allergies in cats to flea saliva, veterinarians have not yet been invented. Therefore, in order to protect the animal from the development of dermatitis, first of all, the possibility of its infection with parasites should be excluded. Do not go out for a walk in the street. More often than not, pets are picked up by fleas just in contact with their homeless fellow tribesmen. If the owners still prefer to walk your pet from time to time, take it out on the street in his arms. The matter is that fleas very often attack pets in an entrance. They penetrate here from the cellars, where homeless cats prefer to spend the night.

Of course, during the walk itself, you need to make sure that the animal does not communicate with street fellows. In addition, you should not walk with the cat in places with high humidity. In such areas, flea-less fleas can live from a few weeks to a year. Also, in order to rule out the possibility of developing a disease such as flea dermatitis, the cat should periodically treat the fur coat (about once a month) with special means. This can be, for example, Advantage or Front Line Plus. Buy high-quality anti-blockade drugs today, you can both in ordinary pet stores, and through the Internet. When choosing a particular tool, you should always pay attention to the expiration date.

Conclusion

Thus, as can be seen, flea dermatitis in cats - the disease is quite dangerous and unpleasant. It is necessary to treat it with the use of antiparasitic and anti-itching medications. And only under the guidance of a veterinarian. Otherwise, the cat can develop a chronic form of the disease or there will be various kinds of serious complications as a result of bacterial infection.