Fleas

Cat Care > Cat Parasites > External Parasites > Fleas

Most cats are probably affected by fleas at some stage in their life, and recent surveys have shown that these parasites are indeed very common. The most common type in the UK is the Ctenophalides felis, affecting both cats and dogs. The dog flea, Ctenophalides canis, is relatively rare. Occasionally a cat may pick up different species of fleas from other animals-hedgehogs, birds, rabbits or even humans-but the usual source is other cats. Fleas do not complete their life cycle on the cat, but females must obtain a meal of blood before they can lay their eggs. Adult fleas are present on the cat only for the purpose of feeding so that they can mate and reproduce. For every flea actually found on the cat, there are many others, in the form of eggs, larvae or pupae, in the animal's environment. Fleas car easily be seen when present, if the hair of the cat is parted, as small, brown insects moving around rapidly. Favorite places for them to congregate are the base of the ears and tail. Often, rather than the insects themselves being detected, the faeces of the fleas, which consist of remnants of dried blood, are noticed caught in the fur as small black specks resembling grit. If these are sponged with a moist paper towel or cotton wool, a red-brown stain appears so it is easy to differentiate between flea faeces and other dirt.

Having obtained a meal of blood, a female flea usually drops off the cat to lay her eggs in the immediate environment. Common sites are the cat's bed and bedding but also chairs, beds, carpets and even the spaces between floorboards. Eggs are smooth and non-sticky and if laid directly on the cat soon drop off to be deposited elsewhere. They hatch into larvae that feed on minute particles of organic debris, including the flea dirts of adult insects, and they may ingest tapeworm eggs at this stage. The larvae pupate, and adult fleas emerge in favorable conditions when it is warm and humid. In general, adult fleas begin to emerge and breed in the spring and summer months, their numbers peaking in August and September. Flea pupae can exist for many months in this state until environmental conditions are favorable for hatching. In optimum conditions, however, which include modern, centrally heated homes, the whole life cycle from egg to breeding adult flea takes only two to three weeks. A female flea may produce as many as 500 eggs in her lifetime.

It is evident that in order to control fleas both the cat and its surroundings must be treated. Many insecticidal preparations are available for eliminating fleas, some of which are used on the animal itself and others for treating the home environment. A veterinary surgeon is the best person to consult about which of these to use. Preventative measures to protect the cat from acquiring fleas include insecticidal tablets that are fed to the animal, solutions applied to the skin and flea collars. Various sprays, powders and shampoos can be used to kill any fleas that are present and to afford some protection against further colonization. Since cats are so constant and thorough in grooming, great care must be exercised with anything applied to the coat. It is all too easy for a cat to ingest a toxic dose o: insecticide, and this is why veterinary advice is so important-Instructions on product containers should be strictly followed Some modern flea treatments are designed to be used as an attack on two fronts, i.e. on the cat and its home surroundings, and these are usually very effective. It is important to remember that all the cats and dogs in a home must be treated at CK same time and not just the one that is suspected of harboring fleas. Regular washing of the cat's bed and bedding helps u control fleas, as does thorough vacuuming of all carpets, char: and soft furnishings.

Fleas may harbor the immature stage of the tapeworm, Hpylidium caninum, and it may be necessary subsequently to worm a cat that has been affected. Fleas can also transmit infectious diseases from one cat to another, and a severe infestation of these parasites can even result in anemia, especially in young kittens. Even a few bites are highly irritating and may cause the cat to scratch and bite itself, thereby damaging the kin, with the possibility of secondary bacterial infection. Some cats also suffer from a hypersensitive allergic reaction to even a few flea bites. The skin becomes irritated and inflamed ad 'weeps', and this is usually noticed on the animal's back, especially towards the base of its tail. This condition is known as miliary eczema, and scabby crusts form on the skin that are very itchy. The animal requires veterinary treatment to clear up the condition, as well as elimination of the fleas.

	Fleas Cat Care > Cat Parasites > External Parasites > Fleas Most cats are probably affected by fleas at some stage in their life, and recent surveys have shown that these parasites are indeed very common. The most common type in the UK is the Ctenophalides felis, affecting both cats and dogs. The dog flea, Ctenophalides canis, is relatively rare. Occasionally a cat may pick up different species of fleas from other animals-hedgehogs, birds, rabbits or even humans-but the usual source is other cats. Fleas do not complete their life cycle on the cat, but females must obtain a meal of blood before they can lay their eggs. Adult fleas are present on the cat only for the purpose of feeding so that they can mate and reproduce. For every flea actually found on the cat, there are many others, in the form of eggs, larvae or pupae, in the animal's environment. Fleas car easily be seen when present, if the hair of the cat is parted, as small, brown insects moving around rapidly. Favorite places for them to congregate are the base of the ears and tail. Often, rather than the insects themselves being detected, the faeces of the fleas, which consist of remnants of dried blood, are noticed caught in the fur as small black specks resembling grit. If these are sponged with a moist paper towel or cotton wool, a red-brown stain appears so it is easy to differentiate between flea faeces and other dirt. Having obtained a meal of blood, a female flea usually drops off the cat to lay her eggs in the immediate environment. Common sites are the cat's bed and bedding but also chairs, beds, carpets and even the spaces between floorboards. Eggs are smooth and non-sticky and if laid directly on the cat soon drop off to be deposited elsewhere. They hatch into larvae that feed on minute particles of organic debris, including the flea dirts of adult insects, and they may ingest tapeworm eggs at this stage. The larvae pupate, and adult fleas emerge in favorable conditions when it is warm and humid. In general, adult fleas begin to emerge and breed in the spring and summer months, their numbers peaking in August and September. Flea pupae can exist for many months in this state until environmental conditions are favorable for hatching. In optimum conditions, however, which include modern, centrally heated homes, the whole life cycle from egg to breeding adult flea takes only two to three weeks. A female flea may produce as many as 500 eggs in her lifetime. It is evident that in order to control fleas both the cat and its surroundings must be treated. Many insecticidal preparations are available for eliminating fleas, some of which are used on the animal itself and others for treating the home environment. A veterinary surgeon is the best person to consult about which of these to use. Preventative measures to protect the cat from acquiring fleas include insecticidal tablets that are fed to the animal, solutions applied to the skin and flea collars. Various sprays, powders and shampoos can be used to kill any fleas that are present and to afford some protection against further colonization. Since cats are so constant and thorough in grooming, great care must be exercised with anything applied to the coat. It is all too easy for a cat to ingest a toxic dose o: insecticide, and this is why veterinary advice is so important-Instructions on product containers should be strictly followed Some modern flea treatments are designed to be used as an attack on two fronts, i.e. on the cat and its home surroundings, and these are usually very effective. It is important to remember that all the cats and dogs in a home must be treated at CK same time and not just the one that is suspected of harboring fleas. Regular washing of the cat's bed and bedding helps u control fleas, as does thorough vacuuming of all carpets, char: and soft furnishings. Fleas may harbor the immature stage of the tapeworm, Hpylidium caninum, and it may be necessary subsequently to worm a cat that has been affected. Fleas can also transmit infectious diseases from one cat to another, and a severe infestation of these parasites can even result in anemia, especially in young kittens. Even a few bites are highly irritating and may cause the cat to scratch and bite itself, thereby damaging the kin, with the possibility of secondary bacterial infection. Some cats also suffer from a hypersensitive allergic reaction to even a few flea bites. The skin becomes irritated and inflamed ad 'weeps', and this is usually noticed on the animal's back, especially towards the base of its tail. This condition is known as miliary eczema, and scabby crusts form on the skin that are very itchy. The animal requires veterinary treatment to clear up the condition, as well as elimination of the fleas.	Cat Care Cat Teeth Care Cat Ear & Eye Care Hair loss in cats Cat Worming Cat Vaccination Cat Neutering Leaving a Cat at Home Acquiring A Cat Choosing a Pet Kitten Choosing an Adult Cat The Cat that Chooses You Bringing Home a New Kitten Settling In of Kitten Taking Home an Adult Cat Cat Diet Raw/Cooked Food for Cat Bones for Cat Water for Cat Home-prepared Foods Commercial Foods for Cat Grass for Cats Feeding a Kitten Overfeeding and Obesity Underfeeding/Weight Loss Adaptations of Cat Cat's Eyes Cat's Ears Smelling Sense of Cat Whiskers of Cat Cats Balance Sense Cat's Teeth Cat Breeding Male Cat Female Cat or Queen Gestation Period for Cats Pseudo Pregnancy in Cat Cat Pregnancy Preparing Birth of Kittens Cat Labour and Birth When to Call a Vet Routine Care of Queen Cat Weaning A Kitten Rearing Orphan Kittens Determining Sex of Kittens Cat Parasites Cats Internal Parasites Cats External Parasites Cat Training Training a Kitten Cat Toilet Training Cat Learning Its Name Cat Walking on a Lead Using a Cat Flap or Cat Door Training an Adult Cat List of Cat Breeds Cat Grooming Cat Behaviour Cat Names Cat Language Elderly Cat Care Cat Illnesses First Aid for Cats Sitemap