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Flea-Allergy Dermatitis The most common allergic skin disease of cats is due to hypersensitivity reactions to flea saliva. These produce clinical signs of itching, excessive licking, and scratching. Some cats are secretive in these activities, so many owners are unaware of their occurrence. Papular, crusty eruptions, known as miliary dermatitis, and varying amounts of hair loss often result. The pattern may be generalized, localized to the head and neck, the back of the rear legs, or to the tailhead region. Flea-allergy dermatitis is one of the causes of eosinophilic plaques and eosinophilic ulcers. The presence of itching, hair loss, and miliary dermatitis in cats with fleas or flea feces (flea dirt) should cause one to suspect flea allergic dermatitis. This disease is very common in climates that are warm enough to support a flea population. Treatment involves good flea control (see Fleas page) and anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisolone or injectable corticosteroids. If skin damage is severe then antibiotics to control secondary infection may be required. Only a few fleas are required to produce marked clinical signs. This is not a fatal disease. However, the goal of therapy is to restore quality life to the cat. The prognosis for doing so is good with either good flea control or the use of corticosteroids. |
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