In addition to presenting a disease risk, fleas are the culprit of the most common skin diseases in pets, such
as flea allergy dermatitis.
Question: Years ago when I rescued my dog he had a severe case
of flea allergy dermatitis and was constantly chewing and scratching himself.
Most dogs that are bitten by fleas will experience some itching, but some dogs may also develop a severe allergic skin condition
called flea allergy dermatitis.
A proper grooming schedule that includes bathing and the used of flea shampoos will help
control flea allergy dermatitis and reduce the need for medical treatment.
Your veterinarian will provide proper treatments for not only the flea infestation, which is the primary underlying problem, but also for the
secondary flea allergy dermatitis and skin infections.
Some pets have heightened sensitive to the saliva of fleas, which can cause an allergic reaction known
as flea allergy dermatitis.
If your dog exhibits any signs
of flea allergy dermatitis or flea anemia, visit your veterinarian so they can be treated along with treating the fleas.
Dogs and cats with flea problems can develop many medical complications,
including flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction that causes hair loss and skin problems.
However, the only long term treatment
for flea allergy dermatitis is total flea control and not allowing one single flea to come in contact with your dog.
His skin was in terrible shape, but no biggie —
just flea allergy dermatitis, easily fixed by getting rid of the fleas, a medicated bath, some medications and a little time.
Cats with
flea allergy dermatitis don't usually have a lot of fleas on their bodies, because they groom themselves so excessively.
Signs and symptoms include: • Circular area of hair loss and scaling • Face, ears, feet and tail are usually affected • Infection of toenails and nail beds •
Resembles flea allergy dermatitis • Itching
Although flea allergy dermatitis is the most common skin disease of dogs and cats, it can be difficult for some pet owners to suspect fleas as a cause of their pet's skin problems because they have not seen fleas on their pet.
Dogs and cats treated with Revolution, including those with
pre-existing flea allergy dermatitis, showed improvement in clinical signs associated with fleas as a direct result of eliminating the fleas from the animals and their environment.
Dogs with signs of
flea allergy dermatitis showed improvement in erythema, papules, scaling, alopecia, dermatitis / pyodermatitis and pruritus (itching) as a direct result of eliminating the fleas.
Fleas also cause
flea allergy dermatitis due to flea saliva that comes in contact with the cat's skin and results in redness and hypersensitivity.
Ihrke, VMD Professor of Dermatology School of Veterinary Meicinea University of California Flea Allergy Dermatitis