Lecture 10 2/18/25 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Which life stage of the flea cannot be targeted by the flea control products currently on the market?
pupa
What are the characteristics of flea eggs?
-laid on host
-fall into environment
-do not survive freezing
-can go dormant for months
What are the characteristics of flea larva?
-feed on organic debris and flea feces
-move away from light; prefer soil and carpet
-do not survive freezing or direct sunlight
What are the characteristics of flea pupa?
-sticky
-can survive up to 30 weeks
-adults stimulated to emerge by heat, vibration, and CO2
What are the characteristics of adult fleas?
-permanent ectoparasites
-need continuous access to blood source
-begin laying eggs within 24 hours of being on host
-can lay 40 to 50 eggs and day and over 2000 in a lifetime
What are the most important flea control facts?
-largest # of eggs are found where pet spends most time
-larva will migrate under furniture
-pupal stage difficult to kill
-best to keep pets on prevention
-infestation comes from pet’s environment
What are the characteristics of flea allergy?
-results from hypersensitivity
-can develop in any dog or cat
-flea antigens are found in saliva
-the major cause of skin disease in dogs and cats
What are the two types of reactions seen in flea allergy dermatitis?
-immediate/type 1 HPS
-delayed/type 4 HPS; leads to late phase IgE-mediated reactions and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity
What are the factors that can contribute to flea allergy development in dogs?
-intermittent exposure
-first exposure later in life
-atopic dogs
What is the clinical presentation of flea allergy dermatitis?
-any age of dog
-pruritic papular dermatitis
-distribution over the caudodorsum, hind legs, flanks, and abdomen
-erythema, alopecia, and crusting
-secondary pyoderma, seborrhea, lichenification, and hyperpigmentation
What is the number one cause of hot spots?
flea allergy
What are potential hair loss patterns seen in flea allergy dogs?
-christmas tree pattern along dorsum
-barbering/mohawk of hair down back
What are the clinical signs of flea allergy in cats?
-distribution over caudodorsum, head/neck, and ventrum
-excessive grooming/barbering/alopecia
-miliary dermatitis
-eosinophilic granuloma complex
How is flea allergy diagnosed?
-history and clinical signs
-presence of live fleas and/or flea debris
-response to treatment
What are the differential diagnoses for flea allergy in dogs?
-other ectoparasites
-secondary infections/pyoderma
-food allergy
-atopic dermatitis
What are the differential diagnoses for flea allergy in cats?
-other ectoparasites
-dermatophytosis
-pyoderma
-other allergies
-pemphigus foliaceus
What must be considered when determining the level of flea control needed?
-frequency of bathing
-infestation of environment
-other pets
What are the goals of flea control/treatment?
-reduce flea numbers
-reduce egg production
-reduce continued exposure to salivary antigens
Which therapies are INEFFECTIVE and important to recognize as such?
-flea collars that are NOT seresto and scalibor
-brewers yeast and thiamine
-garlic and sulfur
-eucalyptus oil
-ultrasonic collars/boxes
What are important points regarding flea treatment?
-no product will work as well as it claims
-products have a decay curve
-all topical products will have decreased efficacy over time
-goals are to stop egg laying and prevent continued exposure to saliva
What are the steps to aggressive flea control in dogs?
-isoxazoline plus capstar
-trifexis and simparica/credelio alternated every two weeks
-add in seresto collar
-bravecto plus advantage multi every 2 to 4 weeks for dogs undergoing food trial
What are the steps to aggressive flea control in cats?
-advantage 2 or advantage multi every 2 weeks to start, then monthly
-capstar initially every other day with another adulticide
-program with an adulticide
What are the challenges to flea control?
-point sources/wildlife
-inconsistent treatment
-environmental infestation
What are the characteristics of flea control around the house/on the premises?
-not needed if no major environmental build up
-IGR with permethrin
-wildlife and feral cat control
-vacuum and wash bedding
-concentrate on shaded areas and places pets frequent in the yard
