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.
Symptoms of the disease
Of course, the symptoms of flea dermatitis in a particular pet are individual, but there are general signs of identifying the disease:
- The cat develops severe itching and scratches constantly. The greatest irritation appears in the back, sacrum and groin. Small watery blisters appear at the site of the flea bite, and sometimes baldness occurs.
- The cat shows increased attention to its tail; it regularly gnaws and tugs at it. In areas of constant cat attention, ulcers are visible, from which blood is released.
- The cat becomes aggressive, irritated, and does not respond to the owner’s affection.
- In areas of flea bites, purulent abscesses, crusts and reddish formations appear on the pet’s skin, similar to bulging blisters.
When the owner discovers symptoms of flea dermatitis, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible in order to begin treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, in the chronic form of the disease, treatment can be carried out throughout the pet’s life.
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.
Use of anti-flea products
Flea medications are a mandatory stage of treatment. They are available in the form of external agents (drops, sprays and ointments). When using them, you should not wash the animal frequently, as this reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
Another form of release is tablets. Chewable pills are well absorbed by cats and have a quick effect, being absorbed into the blood and destroying parasites. For preventive purposes they are used once a month.
Your doctor should advise you on how to treat your cat's scratching. You should not prescribe the drug and dosage yourself.
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.
Features of therapy
Allergies in cats must be treated.
First of all, fleas are removed not only from the cat, but also from the house. In the future, it is necessary to ensure that fleas do not appear, since even one bite is enough for the animal to get sick again. At the first sign of an allergy, the cat should be given an antihistamine. This group of drugs includes suprastin and diphenhydramine. The dosage of the drug for the cat will be prescribed by the doctor. If there are indications, then hormonal drugs such as perdnisolone, dexafort can be prescribed. Itchy skin in cats must be relieved. For this, hydrocortisone ointment is used. But it cannot be used if the cat has already scratched the bite sites and wounds and suppuration have appeared. You can try to heal any sores and scratches that appear with chloramphenicol ointment.
It is important to prevent further inflammation. Creams containing aluminum relieve itching and heal well. These include “Alusprey”, “Aluminum”.
- When treating a cat, it is necessary to deprive it of the opportunity to lick the medicine off itself. Otherwise, this will only lead to a worsening of her condition and to poisoning. You can hold your pet in your arms until the drug is absorbed, but this is inconvenient and time-consuming. It is easier to put a special tube collar on the cat, which will prevent it from licking itself.
- In difficult cases, a course of injections with hormonal corticosteroids is indicated. Injections very quickly alleviate the animal’s condition and stop attacks for a long time.
- The most modern and effective method is immunotherapy. In this case, cats are injected with flea saliva extract in extremely small quantities. The administration of the extract has been practiced for a long time. This method helps to improve the functioning of the immune system and help it stop reacting so inadequately to the allergen. In 50% of cases in cats after immunotherapy, allergic reactions either become extremely minor or disappear completely.
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.
Flea development cycle
To know how to fight fleas, it is important to understand how and under what conditions this parasite reproduces.
Fleas are wingless blood-sucking insects that, contrary to popular belief, do not live on cats and dogs, but only feed. They live in dark, warm, damp places: in the warm season they feel comfortable in grass and rotting plant debris, and all year round they can live in basements, attics and apartments. The optimal conditions for the parasite are a temperature of 20 to 30 degrees and a relative air humidity of no more than 70% - completely room conditions.
Female fleas lay eggs in the shelter. The larvae can hatch from them in 2 days, or in 2 weeks, it depends on the conditions. The larvae then form pupae, a developmental stage that is most resistant to both environmental conditions and insect repellents. This is extremely important in cases where a colony of fleas has settled in the apartment.
A flea can grow from an egg to an adult sexually mature insect in 3 weeks, or maybe in 2 years. An adult flea also lives for about 2 years, and can survive without food (animal or human blood) for months.
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.
Prevention
Of course, even after all the measures taken, no one will give you a guarantee that the dog will not become infected with the ubiquitous parasites again. However, a caring and attentive owner will prevent re-infection of the pet. If you want to avoid this scourge, use the following tips from experts:
- Regularly inspect your dog’s fur and body for parasites;
- limit your dog’s contact with stray animals;
- periodically treat your pet’s bed and carpet with insecticides;
- during the “flea season”, be sure to treat the animal with antiparasitic agents;
- monitor the animal’s nutrition and provide your pet with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and microelements;
- Follow the rules of hygiene and carefully care for your tailed friend.
The most modern method of preventing fleas is injections. The injection is given directly by a doctor in the clinic. Usually the injection lasts for six months and during this time the animal is guaranteed not to pick up arrogant parasites.
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.
Drugs for allergies in cats (a brief overview of systemic antihistamines)
Any antihistamine has its own exact dosage, exceeding which turns the medicine into a substance harmful to the cat with a lot of adverse reactions. This is the main reason why such medications should only be prescribed by a veterinarian.
Along with veterinary antihistamines, human drugs are effectively used for treatment according to long-developed and effectively implemented regimens.
Veterinary:
Dexafort (about 600 rub./50 ml)
Used for allergic dermatitis. Prohibited for diabetes mellitus in cats, pregnant women, heart or kidney pathologies. Do not use for a long time due to the peculiarities of the glucogenic effect (increases blood sugar levels).
Intramuscularly at 0.25-0.5 ml/head. every 24-48 hours
Bravegil (up to 180 rub./amp or up to 120 rub./10 tablets)
Widely used for all types of cat allergies. It is administered intramuscularly or given orally in tablet form. Slightly manifests itself in drowsiness. Not used during pregnancy.
Dosage: 0.015-0.02 mg/kg once or twice a day (every 12-24 hours) (regardless of the route of administration). Can be used for a long time.
Pipolzin (about 60 rub./amp.)
It perfectly relieves allergic manifestations on a par with diphenhydramine, but has a longer lasting effect. Slightly causes drowsiness in cats. It is administered intramuscularly. Do not use for pregnant individuals.
Apply 0.015-0.02 mg/kg twice a day after 12 hours.
Human:
Diphenhydramine (up to 35 RUR/pack)
Effect: antihistamine, analgesic, sedative and hypnotic. The dosage is selected for each animal strictly individually, because It can have completely different effects on different cats, even in the same dosage.
It is administered intramuscularly in an amount of 0.02-0.04 ml per 1 animal, in tablets orally the dosage is 1.5-2 more. Maximum twice a day for a week.
Diphenhydramine (30-35 RUR/pack)
Most often used for allergic reactions to insect bites. There is a hypnotic effect. The action is similar to diphenhydramine. Do not use in lactating animals or during pregnancy. It is forbidden to administer simultaneously with antipyretics.
Orally at the rate of 1-4 mg of the drug, without mixing with food. You can repeat no earlier than after 8-12 hours.
Hydroxyzine (RUB 190-275/pack)
It has an antiallergic, psychotropic, sedative effect, suppresses the emetic effect. Relaxes smooth muscles, dilates bronchi and relieves pain (part of the piperazine range of drugs). Does not provoke addiction.
Give orally at a dose of 5-10 mg/cat, repeated after 8-12 hours.
Chlorpheniramine maleate (RUB 125-500)
Works well on feline allergic dermatitis and urticaria. It is better to administer intramuscularly, because when it gets on the surface of the skin, it provokes a local irritant effect. When used orally, combine with or after feeding to reduce stomach irritation. Do not combine with alkaloids. Not suitable for long-term use - only for relief of acute increased individual reactions and no longer than 3 days.
Dosage: 1-2 ml/animal intramuscularly or 2-4 ml/animal orally every day or 12 hours.
Clemastine (Tavegil) (110-220 RUR/pack)
Perfectly eliminates allergic symptoms in cats such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. It has a long action time. It enhances the sedative effect of sedatives, so any drug combinations are not recommended. Side effects: diarrhea, thirst, lethargy or increased activity.
The dosage does not depend on the weight of the animal: ½ tab. every 12 or 24 hours.
Cyproheptadine (Peritol) (up to 1500 rub./20 tablets or up to 3500 rub./100 ml)
Antihistamine activity is combined with an antiserotonin effect (antipruritic), therefore it is very effective for allergic dermatitis accompanied by itching. At the same time, it relaxes the bronchial muscles. A side effect manifests itself in the form of increased appetite.
Administer 2 mg orally per animal every 12 hours. If given in syrup, give it with water.
Allergy is a very insidious pathology that requires a special approach. The best way an owner can help his cat is to contact a veterinarian in a timely manner to make an accurate diagnosis and receive qualified antihistamine therapy.
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How to rid your cat of fleas and prevent their appearance
It is necessary to act on fleas in a comprehensive manner, since fleas at different stages of development and in large quantities are kept in the room where an infected cat lives:
- All domestic animals with fur are subjected to simultaneous treatment for external parasites;
- in the future, animal protection is achieved by regular preventive use of insecticides, as well as repellents in any forms convenient for the owner for all pets;
- regular repeated wet cleaning of the floor and horizontal surfaces is carried out using solutions of Neostomozan or Ecocide;
- upholstered furniture, carpets, car interiors, cat beds are regularly vacuumed, reliably getting rid of the contents of the vacuum cleaner (it is better to burn), and you can also use a steam generator;
- prevent contact between pets and stray animals;
- Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with other people's pets to prevent the transfer of parasites to your cat.
Regular flea treatment with veterinary insecticides is used both for the treatment of flea dermatitis and for its prevention
