In this article, I will discuss the most important aspects of fleas and more importantly, how to get rid of fleas on cats. There are many issues to consider for a healthy environment so let’s check them all out one by one.
The signs of a flea infestation
Identifying a flea infestation can often be simple, but eradicating their populations is far more difficult. A first step is to observe the behavior of your pet: if the animal has excessive scratches, you should examine its fur.
Flea-infected animals have reddish skin and can lose their hair.
The back of the dogs and the head and neck of cats are most commonly targeted by fleas.
If insects can be seen moving visibly between hair hairs, or if red or black excrements are present on the skin of your pet, contact your veterinarian to discuss the options for flea treatment.
If there are no insects, but the scratches persist, your veterinarian can also help you identify other skin conditions that can cause your pet’s discomfort.
The fleas are about 2.5 mm long. Their bodies are flat and wingsless.
The six legs are long and help them in long jump.
Detecting fleas from your pet pet’s fur does not reveal the true size of the infestation. Eggs, larvae and puppies will also thrive in your home or yard and are difficult to spot.
Flea larvae have a white-dirty color and measure 3 – 5.2 mm in length.
After identifying an infection, clean the house well and treat your pet with recommended veterinary products. Bed linen and pet beds need to be washed.
The flea bites
How do flea bites look like humans? The flea bites leave some red dots surrounded by redness. They cause feelings of itching and great discomfort.
The fleas often aim at people’s feet and can infect the whole body of a pet. Many wildlife species may have fleas.
If these animals are around pets, fleas can migrate to them or even to humans. You should be aware that other causes can cause skin irritation in humans, including other pests, allergic reactions to medications or even hair yarns grown under the skin.
In some animals flea saliva can cause allergic reactions, such as DAP (Purina Allergy Dermatitis), and repeated scratching may lead to hair loss and secondary infections.
In more severe cases, affected animals are bloated with their skin and injured.
Treatment of flea bites
Before starting any flea treatment for your pet you should consult a veterinarian.
You can control fleas using special flea shampoos.
Cold water relieves inflammation, while hot or hot water exacerbates itching.
If these treatments do not work, the veterinarian may request a pet consultation to determine the following steps.
Steroid and antihistamine creams are only available on prescription and can help alleviate your pet’s symptoms.
If you were bitten by a flea, wash the area and then use an antiseptic to apply ice.
It is recommended to resist the temptation to scratch you. Depending on the person, lotions may be used to treat itching, or a pharmacist can be consulted for details about antihistamines that may prove to be effective.
If your wound shows secretions, contact your doctor immediately.
Treatment of flea bites does not address a single symptom of infection. Methods of extermination must be carried out taking into account the treatment used for the bite to succeed in eradication.
Fleas to people
If cat fleas are eliminated from the host animal, or if the host proves to be an insufficient source of food, cat fleas will often bite people on the underside of their legs, leaving red, round spots.
Today, most cat flea bites leave minor irritations and discomfort to humans.
Once you have been bitten by a flea, if possible, keep from scratching in the affected area. Lotions and anesthetic creams can be used to treat the irritation according to the sensitivity of the skin of the person to these products.
Ice compression reduces the swelling caused by the bite of a cat flea.
To reduce the risk of infection, wash the area with antiseptic soap.
Antihistamines may also be administered according to their medical condition.
Some people may have allergic reactions to the bite of a cat flea.
Symptoms of an allergy include excessive pruritus and secondary infections.
A medical specialist should also be consulted if you suspect the bite is infected.
Image Credits: petMD
