Some are used on the cat and some in the cat’s environment. There are many products available for flea control, and in some cases, multiple products may be needed. Strict flea control is the backbone of successful treatment. Symptoms include pale gums, low body temperature and lethargy.įor more information on fleas and how to prevent and treat an infestation, please give us a call most important treatment for flea allergies is to control and prevent flea bites. It is usually only seen in small puppies and kittens, sickly animals, or in extremely severe infestations that go untreated. The allergic reaction can often lead to a skin infection or “hot spots,” commonly seen at the base of the tail or on the bottom half of the pet.īecause fleas feed on your pet’s blood, there is a risk for your pet to become anemic from blood loss. Once the body destroys a large number of red blood cells, the animal will become anemic, which can cause symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, pale gums, weight loss, fever, jaundice, and enlarged lymph nodes.Īll flea bites will be itchy and irritating, but some dogs and cats actually have an allergy to flea saliva and experience much worse irritation. This bacteria attaches to the animal’s red blood cells, causing the body to detect the blood cells as foreign and want to destroy them. Mycoplasma haemofelis is a parasitic bacteria that is transmitted through flea bites, as well as via ticks and mosquitoes, and can affect both cats and dogs. It is especially dangerous in those with an already weakened immune system. In humans, Bartonella can cause fever, headaches, and fatigue. These cats do however put their owner at risk for infection of “Cat Scratch Fever.” A cat with Bartonella in their system can transmit the bacteria to you via bite, lick or scratch. In rare cases, they may have vomiting, diarrhea, or swollen lymph nodes. Most cats that have Bartonella do not show symptoms, although some will develop a fever for 2-3 days. It is transmitted via flea feces (or “flea dirt”) that is deposited on the animal’s body and licked off during grooming. Sometimes you may also see scooting or, in severe cases, weight loss and a poor coat.īartonella henselae is a bacteria that is estimated to be carried by 40% of cats at some point in their lifetimes and can also affect dogs and humans. Pets with a tapeworm will have what looks like small white grains of rice in their feces. Tapeworms don’t always cause clinical signs so you may not know your pet is affected. Once the eggs are swallowed, they hatch and make themselves comfortable in the gastrointestinal tract, feeding off of the nutrients the animal consumes. It happens when a flea carrying tapeworm eggs are ingested by your pet, most often from grooming or licking and chewing at their itchy body. This parasite is the most common side effect of flea infestations that we see. Some examples of common flea-related health issues include: Fleas can also cause some non-infectious illnesses, putting your pet at risk for more than just some scratching. However, fleas are more than just an itch! Fleas can actually carry many different parasites and infectious diseases. Pet owners’ main concern when it comes to fleas is obvious: flea bites that leave the pet itchy and uncomfortable.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |