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

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

One of the most common problems pet lovers face is flea dermatitis. In cats, the causes of this disease usually lie in a banal infection with blood-sucking parasites. The fact is that when a flea bites, it 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. At the same time, the actual fleas themselves on the body of a pet (especially if the owners take good care of it) may no longer exist by this time. It happens that for a cat with sensitive skin, even one or two bites of parasites that have jumped from another animal, or, for example, from the owners' street shoes, are enough. Of course, at the first sign of a pet's allergy, treatment should be started.

Flea dermatitis in a cat: symptoms

This disease can be diagnosed by the following signs:

• the presence of scratches 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. In this case, the animal constantly feels itching and burning. Especially strong scratching can be observed in the region of the base of the tail, on the stomach and behind the ears. Another symptom of dermatitis can be periodic twitching of the skin on the back, accompanied by meowing. External signs of this disease are pronounced. However, flea dermatitis in a cat can be easily confused with other types of allergic reactions. And, therefore, choose the wrong treatment. Therefore, in veterinary clinics, when diagnosing this type of dermatitis, among other things, intradermal studies are mandatory.

Types of flea dermatitis

By the nature of the course, this disease is chronic, acute or subacute. The last two forms are not considered especially dangerous. However, with the wrong treatment, acute dermatitis in a cat can easily become chronic. In this case, all the symptoms of the disease in a pet will disappear on their own. But at the same time, in the future, they will constantly manifest themselves during the period of relapses. Chronic dermatitis is much more difficult to cure than acute. Therefore, at the first signs of illness, it is advisable to show the cat to the veterinarian.

Which animals are most predisposed?

More oftenIn all, this disease affects cats aged 10 months to 3 years. Hairless and short-haired animals are especially predisposed to it. Flea dermatitis is one of the seasonal diseases. Most often, cats suffer from this form of allergy in the warm season. That is, when the risk of a flea bite is highest. Therefore, it is in spring, summer and autumn that the condition of the skin and coat of the pet should be monitored especially carefully.

What is the first thing to do when symptoms appear?

Before you start treating flea dermatitis in cats, you should make sure that their skin is no longer parasites. If they are found, first of all, measures must be taken to expel them. To do this, you can use any suitable means: collars, shampoos, sprays, drops, etc. You need to treat fleas not only for fur, but also for animal toys. If the cat has its own bedding, it should be replaced with a new one. Of course, if there are other pets in the house, be sure to treat them as well. Otherwise, the treatment of parasites will be ineffective. To prevent re-infestation with fleas, it is also desirable to limit the movement of the animal around the house to one room. At the same time, carpets and upholstered furniture in the room chosen for temporary isolation of the pet should be sprayed with an antiparasitic spray.

How to identify a flea infestation?

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

• cat constantly biting skin;
• flea feces visible in fur and ears;
• there are hot spots on the epidermis.

In order to accurately diagnose the presence of fleas, the cat can be rubbed on the back of a white towel. If reddish-brown particles remain on it, the animal certainly has parasites.

Dermatitis Treatment

When ridding your pet of fleas, at the same time you should try to alleviate his suffering due to burning and itching. Most often, flea allergy dermatitis in cats is treated with glucocorticosteroids. Preparations of this group relieve inflammation and reduce itching. Most often, these funds are administered to animals by injection. But it is also allowed to feed them in the form of tablets. The cat should take the pills for 2-3 weeks. The dose should be gradually reduced.

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

Comorbidities

Actually, cat dermatitis itself, as already mentioned, is caused by flea saliva. However, in addition to various kinds of allergens, itmay contain all sorts of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, flea dermatitis is often accompanied by other diseases that are no less dangerous to he alth, and sometimes to the life of a pet. These can be attributed primarily to:

• atopic dermatitis;
• bacterial skin infection.

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

At the same time, a bacterial infection of the skin in dermatitis can manifest itself due to the fact that the animal, when combing the wounds, introduces various pathogenic microorganisms into them. Mostly staphylococci or spirochetes. Symptoms of a bacterial infection may include fever, vomiting, drowsiness, and decreased appetite in the animal. It is necessary to treat such diseases. Otherwise, the cat may develop severe complications.

Prevention

Unfortunately, veterinarians have not yet invented a remedy that prevents the development of allergies in cats to flea saliva. 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. It is not recommended to let an allergic cat out for a walk. Most oftenPets pick up fleas when they come into contact with their homeless fellow tribesmen. If the owners still prefer to walk their pet from time to time, you need to take it out into the street in your arms. The fact is that fleas very often attack pets in the stairwell. They penetrate here from the basements, where stray cats prefer to spend the night.

Of course, during the walk itself, you need to ensure that the animal does not communicate with street brethren. In addition, do not walk with a cat in places with high humidity. In such areas, hostless fleas can live from a few weeks to a year. Also, in order to exclude the possibility of developing a disease such as flea dermatitis, the cat's fur should be periodically (about once a month) treated with special means. This could be, for example, Advantage or Front Line Plus. Today, you can buy high-quality anti-flea drugs both in ordinary pet stores and via the Internet. When choosing a particular product, be sure to pay attention to its expiration date.

Conclusion

Thus, as you can see, flea dermatitis in cats is a rather dangerous and unpleasant disease. It is necessary to treat it with the use of antiparasitic and anti-itch drugs. And only under the guidance of a veterinarian. Otherwise, the cat may develop a chronic form of the disease or there will be various kinds of severe complications as a result of bacterial infection.infections.