A flea allergy in cats occurs as a response of the body to the presence of a large number of parasites. In most cases, an allergic reaction occurs with a weakened immune system and the presence of concomitant diseases.
A flea bite on a cat can not only lead to skin infections, but also cause an allergic reaction.
The first signs of allergies
In a cat, a flea allergy can occur in different ways, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. Some animals react more acutely, while others have milder symptoms. This depends on the number of parasites, the state of immunity and the age of the pet. Kittens are the most susceptible to allergies.
Allergy to flea bites in cats has the following primary symptoms:
- Severe skin itching. The cat is constantly itching, trying to get to hard-to-reach places by biting the skin with its teeth.
- The appearance of alopecia in certain areas. Inflammatory lesions appear on damaged skin, affecting the hair follicles. This leads to active hair loss.
- Formation of bumps on the skin. Papules appear in the place where the flea bites were. They begin to become inflamed, causing discomfort.
- Change in skin color, appearance of pigment spots.
- Severe swelling of the skin.
The cat develops dermatitis, which leads to severe cat itching and skin lesions. If the allergy is not identified and treated in a timely manner, the animal's condition will worsen. Associated symptoms will appear: cough and frequent sneezing, clear discharge from the eyes.
Change in animal behavior
In addition to visual manifestations on the skin and hair loss, the psycho-emotional state of the animal changes. Due to severe, incessant itching due to an allergic reaction, the cat’s appetite decreases or completely disappears. The pet does not walk, becomes passive, spends most of its time lying down, scratching its skin.
Some cats, instead of passivity and apathy, on the contrary, may behave differently: their irritability increases, excessive aggressiveness occurs, which increases even more when the owner tries to touch damaged areas of the skin. The reaction to stroking the fur is a pitiful, prolonged meow.
Treatment of the territory
Some owners, after treating their dog, forget to disinfest the dog. Here are a few simple rules to follow:
- Thoroughly vacuum all areas where the animal is. Don't forget about your car, bed, and carrier. After cleaning, throw away the bag or filter.
- Treat surfaces with insecticidal preparations. Neostomozan or Butox will do. As a rule, one ampoule is diluted in two liters of water; in any case, it is better to follow the instructions on the package.
Consequences of allergies
Severe itching of the skin, which occurs in response to flea saliva, causes the cat to actively itch and bite the skin with its teeth. This leads to mechanical damage to the epidermis and the appearance of open wounds. As a result, a favorable environment for secondary infection is created. Infection aggravates the course of the allergy and can lead to the formation of large inflammatory areas in which pus accumulates.
The resulting wounds contain pathogenic fungi and bacteria, which are not at all easy to deal with.
Allergies also have an extremely negative effect on the animal’s immune system. Suppressed immunity reduces the body's resistance to various viruses and infections. The cat's general condition and behavior are only getting worse.
In addition, allergies can trigger the development of Quincke's edema. This is a complex pathological condition that can lead to the death of an animal due to suffocation.
Top 4 best drops
Drops containing insecticides help achieve the best results in the fight against annoying bloodsuckers. Check out the highest quality, most effective and modern products:
- Bars AVZ. A universal remedy, suitable for both adult dogs and puppies. The protective effect lasts for a month. Does not cause side effects.
- Advantix for large breeds from Bayer. It does not penetrate into the pet’s blood, but remains in the sebaceous glands. Designed for large mature dogs weighing over 25 kg, as well as for growing young animals from seven weeks of age.
- Advantix for medium breeds from Bayer. Does not leave excess oil on the coat, protects against any midges and is considered a hypoallergenic product. It is better to use it together with a flea collar from the same manufacturer.
- Frontline Combo S Merial. It is also not absorbed into the blood and destroys eggs and larvae. Using a special bottle, it is convenient to apply the solution directly while walking.
It is important that after using antiparasitic agents, it is better to put a special collar on the animal, which will prevent the dog from licking the strong-smelling liquid.
Diagnosis of the appearance of dermatitis
The owner can independently determine the presence of fleas in a pet by changing behavior and examining its fur. But only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis - an allergy to parasites - based on the results of laboratory tests and examination of the animal. To clarify the primary diagnosis, a sample is taken from the affected area of the skin and examined. In addition, an allergen test is prescribed.
Allergic dermatitis as a negative reaction to a large number of fleas has similar symptoms to a number of other diseases. Therefore, differential diagnosis is required. Allergy to parasites must be distinguished from diseases such as lice, sarcoptic mange, alopecia, and pemphigus foliaceus.
Dermatitis is a skin reaction that is a symptom and not a disease itself.
Prevention
- in case of frequent trips to the country or out of town, stock up on anti-flea spray or special drops on the withers;
- protect the cat from contact with stray and any random animals;
- Vacuum and wet clean the room where your pet lives every day;
- Wash or steam animal beds, houses, and toys often enough;
- be attentive to the cat’s behavior, and at the slightest suspicion of the presence of fleas, conduct an examination;
- If parasites are detected, do not postpone measures to combat them;
- undergo periodic examination by a veterinarian.
1111
What to do first
Therapy for allergies to blood-sucking insects is complex. To begin with, it is important to quickly and completely remove fleas, and to stop signs of the pathological process and alleviate the pet’s condition, take medications.
Destruction of parasites
To remove parasites, it is recommended to use the following methods:
- The animal must be thoroughly washed with a special shampoo to kill fleas.
- Use a comb to comb the fur to remove parasite larvae.
- Apply a special product in the form of drops to the skin, which is aimed at killing fleas, ticks and other parasites.
- Give the cat an anti-worming tablet.
It is important to rinse off the foam very thoroughly; to do this, the wool is washed three times with clean water.
You cannot use a flea collar during therapy, as it can aggravate the pathological condition. This is due to the fact that the cat’s body reacts negatively to the chemical composition of the collar and the essential oils in its composition. This leads to cramps, nausea and severe, profuse vomiting, prolonged diarrhea and frequent fainting. Therefore, it is worn only as a preventive measure after the fleas have been destroyed with special means.
If necessary, all activities (bathing, combing, taking pills) are repeated. Although flea treatments for cats always give a positive result, if there are too many fleas, a repeat course may be required.
Home treatment
The house must be treated for fleas. They can jump from the animal's fur to pieces of furniture, remain on the carpet and then migrate back to the pet after it has been treated.
Treating your apartment for fleas is necessary to completely get rid of these insects.
For the home it is necessary to use special insecticides. You can buy them at a pet store. All upholstered furniture in the house, floor coverings, and carpets are subject to treatment. You also need to treat the floor, especially the baseboard. The cat mat on which the pet sleeps must be washed at high temperature.
If the animal lives in a private house and regularly goes out into the yard, the area needs to be thoroughly treated.
How are fleas detected on a cat?
Self-diagnosis is carried out as follows:
- First you need to pay attention to preparing the cat. Sit your pet on a light cloth to easily detect fleas and their eggs that have jumped off the animal. If you decide to brush your cat on your lap, be sure to place a cloth underneath it.
- Comb the coat thoroughly, from head to tail, using a special anti-flea comb. This device is designed in such a way that when an individual collides with a comb, it immediately gets stuck between the fine teeth. You should especially intensively comb the inner surface of the paws, the tail area, and the withers - the favorite habitats of parasites. Make sure that the combed insects do not end up on the floor or furniture.
- After brushing, inspect the cat's comb and fur. Even if no fleas were found during the process, you will probably notice their waste products - excrement and eggs. Visually they are presented in the form of dark and white “grains of sand”. So that there is no doubt, the combed material can be wrapped in a cloth moistened with water: once wet, the excrement will immediately acquire a scarlet color, as it is literally soaked in blood.
- Combing alone is not enough: a full diagnosis requires an immediate visit to the veterinarian. The doctor will carefully examine the cat for signs of infection, after which he will determine the exact diagnosis and treatment options.
Treatment regimens for cat allergies
Ridding an animal of parasites is not a sufficient measure to treat allergies. Depending on the symptomatic picture and the presence or absence of complications, appropriate drug therapy is selected.
Symptomatic therapy
For symptomatic treatment, drugs mainly from the hormonal pharmacological group are used:
- Prednisolone. The dosage ranges from 0.5 to 1 mg for every 1 kg of animal body weight. Prednisolone is used in tablet form.
- Dexaforte. The amount of the drug is 0.05 ml per 1 kg of weight. Dexaforte is used to treat animals that have excessive aggression due to allergies, and pets that spend a lot of time outdoors, where the risk of re-infection is high.
In addition, it is recommended to give antihistamines such as Tavegil, Zyrtec and Suprastin.
Prednisolone is a white or white with a slight yellowish tint crystalline powder in odorless tablets.
If a cat has constant access to the street, despite the treatment, she has a risk of re-infection with fleas and developing allergies. To avoid this, veterinarians recommend immunotherapy – introducing a small amount of an allergen into the animal’s body.
When a small amount of an irritating substance is constantly introduced into the body, the cat’s immune system begins to actively produce antibodies. Over time, their concentration increases, and the body ceases to be sensitive to the allergen.
Immune therapy in cats in 85% of cases gives a positive result, which consists in the complete elimination of allergies, even in the presence of fleas in the fur.
Antibiotics for severe cases
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed if the cat, due to an allergic reaction and severe scratching, has inflammatory processes (purulent) on the skin, and an infection has entered the wounds.
Antibiotics are substances that inhibit the growth of living cells, most often prokaryotic or protozoan.
Antibiotics for cats can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Drugs with a wide spectrum of effects are used. The duration of the course is 14 days.
Skin restoration products
Allergies primarily negatively affect the condition of the coat: it loses its shine and strength, and actively falls out. Bald spots appear on it. Treatment of the pathological condition includes careful and proper care of the coat. To quickly return it to its normal state, special vitamin and mineral supplements are used.
They should contain fatty acids:
- Nordic Omega-3 Naturals;
- Medizinal Dorschlebertranl.
Additionally, special drops for wool are prescribed: Essential-6 or Allerderm.
If the owner feeds the cat with finished industrial products, it should be replaced with dry food, which contains all the elements necessary for hair restoration. Recommended foods with medicinal effects: Derma ProPlan Plus, Hill's z/d, Coat Formula and Royal Canin Skin.
Disinsection of a lactating cat
If you do not expel the insects from the cat, they will again pass on to the children. Of course, finding fleas on a kitten means that there are fleas on the mother as well. You cannot wet the cat with conventional means - Stomazan or its analogues; the active components will be excreted in the milk or licked by the baby from the mother. In this regard, Stronghold drops are relatively safe; the active ingredient, Selamectin, is not excreted in milk. The drug is sold packaged in pipettes, the contents of which are applied between the shoulder blades.
The cat carries kittens, grabbing the withers
The insecticide is allowed to dry. This takes two hours. After this, the poison becomes insoluble in the kitten’s saliva. The trouble is that all the drops do not act simultaneously. It takes a day for the fleas to leave the cat or die. The insects still have a chance to jump onto the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the kitten for a day or two, and if insects are found again, comb them out.
Drops Strongold
The kittens themselves can be treated with this product after weaning and reaching six weeks of age.
