Overview

All boast products are choose at the discreetness of the GreatPetCare editorial squad and do not contemplate a direct indorsement by the author or reviewer .

Fleas . Just saying the word is enough to make anybody ’s tegument crawling . We often conceive of fleas being in unclean environments or on dirty beast , but the truth is that flea are all over the position , including our backyards , porch and sometimes even in our fair homes .

Fleas are still so prevalent that flea allergy dermatitis ( FAD ) , or itch due to flea , remains thenumber one cause of itchingand allergic skin disease in frank in the United States .

Dog scratching themself due to flea allergy

Flea allergy dermatitis can be frustrative for pet parents , extremely uncomfortable for dogs , and fleas can transmit disease to animate being and humankind . luckily , flea allergy dermatitis is avoidable by using monthly flea and check mark protection , such asSimparica TRIOorNexGard , and treatable . Here ’s what you need to lie with about this common canine tooth affliction .

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Fleas?

The majority of dogs will find flea bites uncomfortable . However , some dogs are hypersensitized to flea collation . These pets will have a muchmore hard reactionto flea bites than other cad and are therefore considered sensitised to fleas .

frump with flea allergy dermatitis , also referred to as flea bite hypersensitivity , have often been already name with other allergic reaction such as food orenvironmental allergy . Flea allergies can train at any age , but most cases of FAD appear in wienerwurst between 2 to 5 year older . Flea allergic reaction are the most vernacular type of allergy diagnose in dogs and computerized axial tomography .

WhatCausesFlea Allergy in Dogs?

Flea allergies take place after an animal has been bite by a flea . As a flea feeds , it releases saliva rich in enzyme , peptide , aminic acids and histamine . The body know these compounds as antigen , touch off an resistant reply .

Some dog may showsigns of itchingwithin minutes of a bite , while others may receive a more retard response 24 to 48 hour by and by . A single flea bite can make a sensitive pet itchy for up to two workweek .

In many example of flea allergy dermatitis , hotdog owner are unconnected about their pet ’s symptoms because they have not seen a flea on their pet . However , it is important to acknowledge that fleas are tiny , about the size of a sesame seed , and very fast . flea can discreetly hop on and off your pet while you and your wiener are on a walk or playing in the park . flea also do not need to populate on your dog . These tiny , mighty bugs can experience in your home , hiding in the cracks between cushions or in your domestic dog ’s bed after burn your dog . Another understanding pet parents may not always get hold flea on their pet is that their dog may be biting and scratching so smartly that the fleas are withdraw before anyone has a chance to spot them .

Dog looking sad leaning over corner of couch

Dog Flea AllergySymptoms

Dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis often display the follow symptom :

Some of these symptom occur because dogs are itch so severely that they shock their pelt barrier and provide secondary contagion to organize . These contagion intensify a positron emission tomography ’s itch and discomfort , making the situation even more uncomfortable for affected dogs .

Diagnosing Flea Allergy in Dogs

Flea allergy in dog can be quick diagnose by discovering fleas or flea grease ( little inglorious speck of dried blood ) in a firedog ’s coat . That said , the absence seizure of fleas does not exclude flea allergic reaction dermatitis as the cause of a frankfurter ’s scabies because , as we discussed , fleas are not always present on a wiener after they have have a meal and induce the allergic reaction .

In many pillowcase , FAD is diagnosed based on the symptoms , couple with the lack of consistent , reliable flea prevention being administered twelvemonth - circular .

Your veterinarian will need to perform a physical examination to prevail out other case of itching and ensure your dog has n’t developed any secondary skin infections due to the severity of their itchiness .

Dog scratching from having fleas on fur

Dog Flea Allergy DermatitisTreatment

First and first off , any fleas on the pet will necessitate to be altogether removed , and new bites must be prevented . Your veterinarian will order a reliable and good flea intersection to down any fleas actively on your favourite and secure they ’re protect against succeeding infestation .

A flea dominance product will be needed for all pets in the house ( cat included ) to extinguish these bothersome louse from the animal ’s environs fully .

An anti - itch medicinal drug may also be order to facilitate your pet feel more comfortable while their cutis heals . This may be a steroid or a prescription drug allergic reaction medication such asApoquelor Cytopoint .   Apoquel is an unwritten pad of paper for firedog that relieve and curb sensitized itchiness and inflammation due to hide allergies . Cytopoint is an injection given at your veterinary surgeon ’s office that control allergic itch in dogs and provides ministration for up to 8 weeks .

Dog biting leg from having flea allergy reaction

Secondary skin infections that may have developed will also need to be handle . Typically this will be a medicated shampoo and perchance oral antibiotics or antifungals as deemed necessary establish on physical exam findings .

Environmental discussion is also necessary . The inside of the house should be treated using a combination of flea dud , spray , vacuuming carpets and couches , wash all upholstery such as bedding , curtains , throw blankets and more . Treating your backyard , patio and porch is also advisable . In some shell , such as for large homes or those with many animals , hiring professional exterminators is a good estimate .

Treating the environment alone is not sufficient to prevent FAD , as it will only rid the home and hem in expanse of fleas present at that moment . In a short time , new fleas can move in and take root , especially if there are unprotected pets in the menage to provide hungry fleas with meals .

Dog scratching because of fleas on fur

Preventing Flea Allergy in Dogs

Thankfully , flea allergic reaction dermatitis is avoidable and this begins with uniform , year - troll flea controller . Monthly flea prevention come up in topical and oral frame to gibe a multifariousness of pets ’ lifestyles and indigence . For example , Simparica TRIOis a flavor chewable tablet you give your bounder monthly to protect against flea , ticks , heartworm disease , nematode , and hookworm . NexGardis a monthly beef - flavored chew that kills fleas and check and foreclose Lyme disease infections by vote out black - legged ticks . Revolutiontopical solvent is easy to apply to your dog ’s skin once a month and protects against fleas , American dog ticks , ear speck , heartworm disease , and sarcoptic soupcon .

Other ware , such as flea ascendancy collars , are beneficial if applied correctly and changed on a regular basis .

regrettably , many over - the - counter options are not true at eliminating flea all , so a prescription flea control Cartesian product is necessary for pets who are hypersensitive to flea bites . Simparica TRIO , NexGard , andRevolutionare only available by prescription drug , so take your veterinarian if any of these are a good conniption for your canine companion .

Dog being shampooed with flea shampoo

Despite democratic impression , fleas are not entirely dormant in winter calendar month , especially if they have found their way inside our temperature - controlled home . Therefore , flea products should be given year - orotund . If flea control products are quit in the winter months , it can be much harder to prevent an plague in the outflow and summer when flea turn are the highest .

Unfortunately , fleas are here to stay , no matter how clean we keep our pets and our home . By keep our pets on a reliable and safe flea control Cartesian product year - round , dog parents can avoid unneeded veterinary visit , expensive handling and save their dog from the discomfort that flea bites can do .

Apoquel medication bottle

Dog getting flea treatment to neck

Article image

Article image

Article image