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Fleas are no fun for anyone: pets and owners alike. But sometimes, a flea bite is more than just a nasty nuisance. Both cats and dogs can develop flea atopic dermatitis (FAD), a severe allergic reaction to antigens in flea saliva. In fact, flea allergy dermatitis is one of the most common dermatological conditions affecting dogs in the US
Not surprisingly, this condition is most apparent in the summer – the most critical time for fleas. The signs of FAD are easy to spot: a dog with a flea allergy will experience a constant itch, mainly on the lower back and legs. They may also experience sores, scabs, skin redness, and hair loss in the affected areas.
While annoying, luckily FAD is treatable. To kill fleas on your pet and ease its discomfort, your veterinarian may prescribe topical or oral medications. Topical treatments can take 12-36 hours to get rid of fleas, while pills work more quickly. Complete elimination of a flea infestation can take some weekhowever, because of the range in the flea’s reproductive cycle.
Therefore, monthly flea prevention is the best way to avoid a painful infestation or reaction altogether. To learn how to treat flea allergies in dogs, we interviewed two veterinary dermatologists: Dr. Rachel Caines, a veterinary surgeon and a practicing dermatologist at Dr. Knutsford Vets Surgeryand Dr. Alexandra Gould, Veterinary Dermatologist in Seattle Pet Dermatology Partner.
Here’s everything you need to know about atopic dermatitis — and how to ease the pain in your dog.
What are the symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis?
When a flea bites your dog, it injects saliva into its skin. For non-allergic dogs, this is just an annoying itch. But for dogs sensitive to histamine-like compounds in flea saliva, intense itching and discomfort may follow.
Here are some popular flea allergy dermatitis symptoms to see for:
- Severe itching: This can manifest on the entire body, but is most evident in the “pants” area of the lower back and hind legs.
- Erythema: Red skin
- Hyperpigmentation: Increase the darkness of the skin
- Quote: Scratches are visible
- Hotspot: Well-defined areas of moist, inflamed skin that can cause watering
- Ulcers: Small red bumps covered with scabs and crusts
- Hair loss: Constant licking can wear down your hair and can also dye it brown
- Lubricated skin: Skin thickens due to constant rubbing
- Secondary infection: Bacterial infections can occur and manifest with crusting and crusting (white flakes on your dog’s skin or coat)
- Visible restlessness and irritability: Dogs with FAD will be agitated, constantly scratching, chewing, and rubbing their skin
How do you treat a dog with a flea allergy?
First things first: those fleas have to go – statistics. Your dog’s comfort (and sanity) is counting on it.
You can start your dog flea allergy treatment use one flea comb to remove adult fleas, eggs and spiny debris. Use one flea shampoo also very helpful, Dr. Rachel Caines told us. “Soothing and soothing shampoos can provide some relief from the itch and help the skin heal.” Look for a formula that has ingredients like aloe, lanolin, and oatmeal that are gentle on sensitive skin.
iStock / sestovic
One flea collar is another tool to consider, many of which have the added benefit of protecting your dog from nasty mosquitoes and ticks. And wash yours dog bed and any sheets or blankets in hot water will kill the fleas and their larvae.
Dr. Alexandra Gould emphasizes that controlling a flea infestation also requires treatment house and yard. “It’s important to treat the house,” she said. “There are companies that can provide pet-safe flea treatments, and there are also area sprays that veterinarians can provide.”
When should you see your veterinarian if you suspect a flea allergy? Dr. Caines advises: “The sooner the better. “The sooner the condition is treated and prevented, the quicker your dog will be in remission and the shorter the duration of symptoms.”
To relieve your dog’s itching, your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or steroids, Dr. Gould tells us. “For pets experiencing outbreaks, a short course of steroids in addition to treating fleas in the home can be very helpful to ease their discomfort.” Because results can vary, pet flea desensitization is rarely used to treat flea allergies.
iStock / temizyurek
How is flea allergy in dogs diagnosed?
In most cases, examining your dog’s symptoms and reviewing his health history is enough to diagnose FAD. However, allergy tests are sometimes used when the diagnosis is unclear or for dogs with additional allergies.
| Test type | What is it and what does it look like? |
| Clinical assessment | Your veterinarian will look for clinical signs of FAD, including flea dirt and the fleas themselves. They will also look at a history of developing an itch on the pet’s skin or seeing fleas on the pet. |
| Skin-in-the-skin test | A small amount flea extract is injected under your dog’s skin to measure your dog’s sensitivity. |
| Blood tests | They look for antibodies in the blood. However, they are not often required for diagnosis. |
| Acetate ribbon cytology | Using duct tape, your veterinarian will collect a sample of the lesion to determine the presence of a secondary bacterial infection. |
How can I prevent flea allergy dermatitis?
Rule #1 of flea control is Prevent, Dr. Gould confirmed. “The single most important thing you can do is make sure all pets in your home receive a year-round flea preventative. Also, in some parts of the country where fleas are common, using a flea preventative that contains a repellent is even better as it will prevent fleas from biting pets. ”
To prevent future outbreaks, your veterinarian may prescribe a monthly oral medication, such as Nexgard or Comfortis. Topical treatment such as Frontline Plus II and K9 Advantix II is another option. While a The effect of the pill is almost immediateA topical treatment can take 36 hours to see results.
Dosages for both tablets and topicals are based on your pet’s weight, so be sure to double-check those dosages. And if you are looking to save money, you can consider buying in bulk. Buying a monthly dose upfront may be cheaper, but getting a 6 or 12 month plan will save you more in the long run.
As far as natural flea repellent go, opinions are somewhat mixed. If you are going to follow the natural path, Dr. Gary Richter, Rover Resident Veterinarian on the Dog People Panel, recommends using dog products, rather than making your own. And while Dr. Richter concedes that essential oil products can repel pests, they are only effective for a few hours and require multiple applications.
“Nature will never work as well as drugs,” explains Dr. Richter. “So if your goal is to minimize fleas and ticks, nature won’t work best.” Dr. Gould agrees, telling Rover, “Natural remedies can sometimes be toxic and never work. [as prescribed medication.]”
Furthermore, Dr. Gould stresses that natural remedies are no substitute for preventive medications prescribed year-round. “Really, the best thing about flea treatment is using a safe, prescribed treatment that treats all pets in the family and prevents flare-ups of atopic dermatitis caused by fleas. future by using a year-round flea preventative for all pets.”
Can all dogs get atopic dermatitis from fleas?
Yes, all dogs can develop FAD at any age, although it is unlikely to happen before that. age one. Unfortunately, dogs with other allergies (environment or food) are often more sensitive to flea bites. And, naturally, dogs that live in extreme climates and spend a lot of time outdoors are at a higher risk of being exposed to fleas.
Since all dogs can be sensitive to fleas, Dr. Caines emphasizes that year-round prevention is key: “Any dog that is not protected against parasite control are regularly at risk of developing flea allergy dermatitis,” she says. Good news? Flea prevention is as simple as monthly or topical medication. So consider it an easy task that you can check pet care to-do list right away!
