Allergic flea dermatitis

The disease is an inflammation of the skin that occurs due to a hypersensitivity reaction to antigens from flea saliva. Allergy to flea saliva is common, but it is underestimated, especially if the presence of the insects themselves is not detected on the animal. By the way, about 80% of all allergic dermatitis is associated with them. Even one insect bite can provoke an allergy during a normal walk, the reaction develops precisely on its saliva. The flea feeds on the pet's blood, while secreting saliva into the dermis. It interferes with normal blood clotting and contains 15 substances that can cause irritation or allergies. Allergic flea dermatitis is seasonal in nature, the peak of the disease occurs during the warm season – late spring, summer and early autumn. However, in pets, symptoms can develop after, up to winter, since insects are able to live in residential areas all year round. Fleas can appear in an apartment from basements or entrances, where they get from infected animals. The clinical picture of allergic dermatitis often manifests itself in excessive licking or biting. The rear parts of the pet's body are most often affected, but the disease can also be localized on the forelimbs. The symptoms will depend on the severity of the hypersensitivity reaction and the level of invasion, which may vary depending on the season. Clinical signs in dogs: the caudal lumbosacral region, the caudal side of the thighs, the lower abdomen, the groin area and the forearm are most often affected, the primary symptoms are itching, crusted papules with erythema, the presence of areas of wet dermatitis, secondary symptoms are alopecia in the affected area, lichenization, excessive pigmentation and scales, possibly the formation of secondary furunculosis or folliculitis.

Clinical signs in cats: miliary dermatitis on the back in the tail area, around the neck and head, alopecia in the groin area, sometimes eosinophilic plaques may occur, the appearance of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Diagnosis of the disease A presumptive diagnosis is made based on several data: the age of the disease, the area of skin lesions, the intensity of itching, the presence of fleas on the pet's coat. The diagnosis can take about two months. During the procedure, the parasite population is monitored both on the animal itself and in its habitat. The veterinarian also conducts a general examination and medical history. Treatment of allergic flea dermatitis The treatment process can be divided into 3 stages: control of the flea population and their subsequent destruction both on the pet itself and in the apartment or house, prescribing symptomatic drugs to relieve itching and allergic reactions, treatment of secondary infection, if any – dogs most often face this.