Les amis des chats: Fleas


	"Les amis des chats" Founded in Roquecor in 2000
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Fleas

What is a flea?

Fleas are small brown insects without wings that can climb between the fur of dogs and cats and jump up to 30 times their own length. They live most of their lives hidden in the fur of animals, feeding on their blood. A sign of the presence of fleas on your pet is the little black excretions in the shape of a comma in the fur.

Only 1% of the flea population is adult and can be identified so easily. The remaining 99% are present in the environment as eggs or larvae and can remain hidden in a corner for up to 6 months. A flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day for 3 weeks.

Where does my cat catch fleas?

Fleas can multiply very quickly. A single flea brought into the house by a cat can provoke a real infestation of both the habitat and the animal. Fleas hide and lay eggs in textiles – sofas, cushions, beds, etc. those places where cats like to relax.

Outside, a cat generally catches fleas from contact with other cats and dogs, as well as encounters with wild animals such as hedgehogs.

What problems can fleas cause my cat?

Some cats can develop an allergy when bitten by a flea, known as FAD (Flea Allergy Dermititis) provoked by the flea’s saliva. Possible symptoms are a loss of fur on the back, stomach, and sides, following an intensified licking in these areas, as well as red spots on the head, crusts behind the thighs, or ulcers on the upper lip.

Symptoms can appear even with only a mild infestation, and a single bite can trigger itching for 3 weeks for an animal that is allergic.

It is therefore highly recommended that a preventive treatment is used. In more serious cases of redness and persistent itching, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian.

Fleas can also transmit tapeworm eggs. Your cat can be contaminated by eating a flea when it nibbles itself to eliminate it. The tapeworm can produce digestive problems, indicated sometimes by the presence of “rice grains” around the anus. It is recommended to give animals that have fleas a worm treatment. They can also transmit bacteria that is responsible for the human illness cat scratch fever.

How do I remove fleas?

Numerous treatments are available, only a few of which provide a real and effective control. In effect, the product must not only act against fleas, but also remain in the fur to kill fleas before they have a chance to bite the cat. A product must be particularly effective on the back of the cat where the majority of fleas are to be found.

Treatment	Advantages	Disadvantages
Powder	Easy to use.	Diluted and may not provide enough chemical to penetrate fur or remain there long enough to kill the fleas. Cat risks consuming the product when licking itself.
Aerosol	Kill fleas on contact.	Can be washed away. Noise can scare the cat and make it difficult to repeat spraying. Should be repeated weekly.
Shampoo	Useful for major infestations.	Much is washed away when rinsing the cat after the shampoo. Many cats dislike of water.
Collar	Long duration of several months of treatment.	Depending on the make, they will treat the whole cat , but only those bought from your vet work properly - those from pet shops are usually waste of money! Mainly works around the neck area, it does not treat around the thigh and tail. Some collars are inactivated by water. Could be a risk to a cat if the collar becomes stuck on a branch.
Products to swallow	Very practical to use	Act only when the cat is bitten. Some products simply prevent eggs from hatching, and do not actually kill adult fleas.
Vaporiser	Kills fleas on contact and therefore prevents bites. Remains on the fur for up to a month. Resistant to water.	Can be difficult to achieve a total application, particularly with long-haired cats.
Spot-on	Easy and effective to use.	Can be less effective for major infestations.
Injections	Last up to 6 months	makes the eggs from fleas sterile, all pets in the household should be treated at the same time.

Note: It is recommended to give animals that have fleas a tapeworm treatment too, and that the treatment is carried out in association with treating the environment. Your vet can advise you on the best method for you and your pet.

You should not wait until you notice a problem with your pet, because by then it will probably be too late. It is highly recommended that you use an anti-parasite product all year round.

Stéphanie Lom
Veterinarian

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