Itchy Pets and Fleas!

As Australia's temperature climbs, pet owners may find their fur babies itching and scratching more frequently. This common but often overlooked ailment in pets can be caused by the parasitic pests – fleas. Flea allergy dermatitis, a condition caused by fleabites, is a significant skin problem for our four-legged friends.

How Do Pets Get Fleas?

Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, which makes Australian pets a prime target, especially during the summer months. The life cycle of a flea begins when an adult lays its eggs on a host –this could be your cat, dog, rabbit or ferret. They then fall from the host onto the ground, embedding in carpets, cracks, or soil waiting to hatch into larvae and subsequently into adult fleas. Any animal (or even human!) passing nearby may provide the warm-blooded host needed for the adult flea's feeding and reproductive cycle.

The Flea Allergy Dermatitis Cycle

Not all animals bitten by fleas succumb to flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). Flea saliva is the culprit causing FAD - a hypersensitive allergic reaction in cats and dogs alike. When a flea bites an animal, it leaves behind saliva that can lead to severe itching and inflammation. Animals sensitive to this saliva will scratch or bite their skin relentlessly, leading to visible redness, scaly patches, scabs, hair loss and secondary infections due to skin trauma. This irritation often manifests on the areas where fleas love to bite – such as the chin, lower back, tail base, belly, and hind legs.

Preventing Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Prevention is certainly better than curewhen it comes to FAD. Regularly treating your pet with an effective flea preventive product like Bravecto, Nexgard, Advocate, Simparica or Revolution can prevent an infestation from starting. Other measures include maintaining a clean, flea-proof dwelling and yard, regular vacuuming of pet bedding and carpets, and routinely washing your pet's bedding with hot water to kill off any flea eggs or larvae.

Remember, fleas can jump from pet to pet,so it’s crucial to treat all pets in your household, even if only one shows symptoms of infestation or allergy.

Treatment Options

If your pet is showing symptoms of FAD, a visit to your vet should be an immediate step. The vet will conduct a thorough examination to determine if the allergy is indeed due to flea bites, or if there is a different underlying issue. Treatment usually involves rapidly eliminating fleas on your pet using a veterinary-prescribed product. For severe itching and inflammation, your vet may prescribe steroids or antihistamines.Antibiotics may also be necessary to treat any secondary skin infections, and worming treatment to rid your pet of any flea transmitted intestinal worms.

Remember, consistent preventive measures and maintaining a clean environment for your pets are the keys to avoiding a flea problem. So, keep those paws healthy and itch-free this season, and enjoy the best times with your furry family member!