Dermatitis
Dermatitis:
Inflammation
of the skin caused by parasites, infection, or allergy, which the
cat may try to relieve by scratching.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis In Cats
You
might not think that your cat has fleas or even see any evidence
of them, but just one flea can make your cat a miserable mess. Flea
allergy dermatitis (FAD) is due to an allergic reaction to flea
saliva which is injected under the skin when the flea bites the
cat.
FAD can cause a severe reaction, which leads to:
Hair
loss
Scab formation
Scaly skin
Intense itchiness
The
most common area affected is along the back near the tailbase, although
all areas can be affected and the extent of the problem depends
on how allergic the cat is to the flea saliva.
The affected
cat will overgroom (spending an excessive amount of time licking
and biting at the itchy areas), and together with scratching, this
self-trauma can lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Treatment:
Flea control is the most important part of treatment. Since only
one fleabite is required to set the problem in motion, all fleas
must be removed from the cat and its environment, including other
pets in the househould, and then fleas must be prevented from re-entering
the environment.
There are many
effective and safe products for applying to cats to kill existing
fleas. Treat all other household pets as well and it is advisable
to continue flea control on all animals year-round to prevent the
problem recurring.
Then all areas
of the house the cat can access need to be fleabombed. This can
be done by a professional, or you can do it yourself. Ensure you
have sufficient bombs for the area you are treating.
Many cats require
short-term relief for their allergic condition. Corticosteroids
are most commonly used, although antihistamines can be effective.
Some cats will need antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections.
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