Dog and cat fleas

What are fleas

• Insects

• Six legs

• Distinct body regions

• Adult fleas suck blood

How many flea species are ectoparasitic on mammals

95%

What wild animals do fleas live on

• All rodents

• Carnivores

• Birds

• Domestic small and companion animals

What is the general morphology of a flea

• Dark glossy brown

• Laterally compressed to fit between hairs

• Third pair of longer stout legs

• Bony spines 

How big are fleas

1-6 mm

What do fleas look like

What role does resilin in insect back legs play in jumping

Is it compressed to store energy and then rapidly decompresses to release it producing accelerations of 100G

How do you clear and preserve specimens to see their characteristics

1. Place flea in 10% Potassium hydroxide

2. Place in water

3. Dehydrate in an alcohol series to 100%

4. Xylene to clear

5. DPX or similar to mount on a glass slide

6. Nuce clear prep for ID

What are cat fleas

C. felis

What are dog fleas

C. canis

What is the veterinary importance of fleas in the UK

It is the most common cause of skin problems in cats

What do fleas cause

• Intense irritation

• Anaemia

What is FAD

Flea allergic dermatitis

Where are flea eggs laid and what happens next

Eggs are laid on the host but fall to the ground where larvae develop

How many larval stages do fleas have and where do they occur

• Fleas have 3 larval stages

• All occurring in the environment

• 95% of their life cycle is hidden outside the host

How long does flea development take at different temperatures

• 3 weeks at 30^oC

• 8 weeks at 15^oC

How long can flea pupae survive

They can survive up to 1 year in the environment before emerging as adults

How does an adult flea find a host

Adult fleas emerge from pupae and jump onto a host in response to stimuli such as CO_2, vibration, shadows, or temperature

How long do adult fleas live on a host and how often do they feed?

• Adult fleas like 21 days on a host

• Take multiple blood meals per day

• Females begin laying eggs 36 hours after the first feed

• Deposit 20-30 eggs a day

Why is treating the animal not the best solution

• It only treats 5% of the infestation

• Pupae are protected from the effect of insecticides

• Can survive up to 1 year

How do you diagnose fleas

• Presence of fleas

• Pruritis

• Presence of flea dirt

How do you diagnose fleas by flea dirt

• Comb hair and put debris on water paper towel

• Flea dirt appears red rich

• It is a food source for larvae

Where do larvae actively move

Away from light

What do larvae look like

• Maggot like

• Distinct brown head

• 13 segments

• Posterior bristles

What does it mean that larvae are susceptible to desiccation

It is easy harmed or killed by drying out

How do larvae move

Looping movement and can move several meters

What are the clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis

• Alopecia

• Excessive grooming

• Skin damage

• Hypersensitivity to allergens in flea saliva

• One flea can trigger a response

• Secondary infections possible

How is Dipylidium caninum transmitted

1. Mature tapeworm proglottids disintergrate producing eggs

2. Forms an egg packet

3. Flea larvae or Trichodectes ingest eggs

4. Cysticercoids develop

5. Adult tapeworms develop when infected flears or lice are swallowed

How is Dipylidium caninum transmitted via fleas and lice

Tapeworm segments can emerge from the hosts anus and crawl onto the coat, releasing egg packets that are ingested by fleas or lice which then act as intermediate hosts

What are examples of adulticide treatments for fleas

• Isoxazolines - Fluralaner chewable or spot on

• Phenylpyrazoles - Fipronil spot on or spray

• Neonicotinoids - Imidacloprid spot on

• Others - Nitenpyram tablets

What kills eggs and larvae

Insect growth regulators

What are the two insect growth regulators

• Chitin synthetase inhibitors - inhibit egg hatch and proper moulting

• Juveline hormone analogues - prevents moulting and pupation

What kills larvae and adults

Insecticides

What are insecticides

• Synthetic pyrethroids - toxic to cats

• Low efficacy 23-86%

• Present in some flea sprays

Why is using only adulticide or environmental treatment often insufficient for flea control

Fleas will still be seen on the pet because new adults continue to emerge from pupae if only one approach is used

What happens if both adulticide and environmental treatments are used inconsistently or just once

Reinfestation occurs as adults continue to emerge from pupae in the environment

How long should a combined flea control approach be maintained

A combined approach targeting fleas on the host and in the environment should be used for 2-4 months minimum to control infestations

What is crucial for effective flea control in the household

Continuous coverage and owner compliance are paramount for successful flea control

What hygiene measures can help control flea eggs, larvae, and pupae

Vacuuming the house and washing bedding kills eggs, larvae and pupae