Flea dermatitis cat disorder is an inflammation of your cat’s skin due to fleas. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most common parasite to harm the skin. It occurs when your cat has an allergic reaction to flea bites. While all cats are bothered by fleas, some cats are actually allergic to the saliva of fleas. They have an allergic reaction to flea bites.
The continual prevention of cat fleas can prevent many illnesses that the fleas cause including tapeworm, anemia (low red blood cell count) and a skin condition called feline miliary dermatitis.
It is a good idea to groom your cat regularly, and grooming sessions are a good time to check for any skin problems.
Flea Dermatitis Cat Symptoms
Symptoms of flea dermatitis cat disorder include small red bumps and red, inflamed looking skin. The fleas tend to congregate in areas the cat can't scratch such as the back of the neck and the top of the tail head. Other areas where the red crusty bumps are seen include the groin, behind, lower back, thighs, abdomen, head and neck.
When a flea bites it can be very uncomfortable for your cat due to severe itching. When trying to scratch the itch your cat can open a skin wound which makes your cat vulnerable to infection.
Flea Dermatitis Cat Diagnosis
To find out if your cat has fleas, use a flea comb (a fine-toothed comb) and comb her, looking for fleas and flea dirt (feces). Flea dirt will look like dark specks. They will turn red if you get them wet, because they are composed mainly of digested blood. You might want to set your cat on a sheet of white paper, because fleas and flea dirt will show up well against the white paper as they fall off of her when you comb her.
Your cat will probably also be scratching herself a lot. Excessive scratching is often a sign of skin problems. If she is scratching enough, you may notice sores on her skin or even some hair loss.
Your vet will be able to diagnose flea dermatitis cat disorder by looking at your cat’s skin and checking her for fleas. It is an easy diagnosis to make. If if the fleas are no longer present on your cats skin, your veterinarian may treat your cat for fleas and then watch the treatment approach selected to see if their is any improvement.
Flea Dermatitis Cat Treatment
Treatment for cat fleas is highly effective.
Flea dermatitis cat disorder is fairly easy to treat. First your cat will need to be treated for fleas. She can be treated with a special medicated shampoo, with a spot-on treatment like
Frontline PLUS for Cats (spot on), or with a pill like Capstar. You will also need to treat her environment for fleas. You could also research a herbal approach for flea removal on your cat and in your home manufactured by Dermisil.
Once the fleas are gone, your cat’s rash should clear up. However, she may continue itching for a while. If this is the case, a short course of steroids can be prescribed. It is important that she does not keep scratching herself because she may damage her skin. If your cat's skin is irritated you can try a natural skin remedy designed to sooth flea bitten skin such as FleaDerm for Flea Bite Dermatitis.
If she has already damaged her skin, she may have developed a secondary bacterial infection. If this is the case, oral antibiotics will be prescribed.
Flea Dermatitis Prevention
The most effective way to prevent fleas is to provide your cat with protection throughout the year. Look for products that are applied monthly and contain selamectin or imidacloprid/moxidectin. Brands include:
Do not use a spray and a topical preventative product. Only use products that specifically say they are safe for cats. You also need to remove the fleas from your cat's indoor environment with a product such as Benzarid.
Sources:
Total Parasite Control - Piecing the Puzzle Together
M.W. Dryden
College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine
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