The Flea Allergy In Dogs And Cats
Dogs and cats can suffer allergies due to the presence of fleas. The identified cause is the saliva of the fleas, especially when the flea has bitten and penetrated the skin of the dog or cat. Since fleas multiply fast and do not voluntarily leave the body of the pet, the flea allergy will last for a long time.
There are symptoms that will tell the pet owner that the dog or cat is being troubled by a flea allergy. Some symptoms displayed by dogs are slightly different to those found in cats. But in general, the symptoms of a flea allergy are continuous itching, loss of hair, occurrence of sores, and unexplained depression.
Among dogs, the specific symptoms are:
· Massive loss of hair
· Presence of red and swollen sores
· Irritation and scratching in certain areas, such as
o Along the tail
o On the rump area
o All over the hind legs
o The region of the groin, which is the sensitive area between the hind legs
Among cats, the symptoms of flea allergy are:
· Constant scratching in various parts of the body
· The formation of painful scabs in sensitive areas, such as:
o The neck
o The face
o The groin
o The main body
A diagnosis of flea allergy no longer involves skin tests and blood tests. The mere presence of fleas indicates that flea allergy has befallen on the pet. The owner can even conduct his own examination by looking for fleas in the coat of the dog or cat. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of their host. They are tiny but can cause powerful irritations. They are usually black in color, which make them more difficult to detect especially if the coat of the pet is also dark-colored.
Fleas also move fast. This makes it impossible to individually catch the fleas. They scatter their dirt all over the pet’s body and this adds to skin irritation. The flea dirt looks like regular black dust when dry. But when wet, the flea dirt shows a reddish old copper-like color.
Fortunately, there are proven ways to remove fleas and allow the pet’s body to heal itself from the allergy.
· Using flea combs – These devices can be purchased from any pet supply store or from the veterinarian. Flea combs are designed so that they can sweep out the fleas along with the flea dirt from the coat of the pet.
· Bathing or immersing the pet in a recommended solution – The solution is usually a mixture of water and a detergent which is recommended by the vet. The detergent can immediately kill the fleas and loosen their hold on the skin.
The pet owner will find the dead fleas floating in the bath solution. This solution may also turn reddish due to the presence of so much flea dirt.
· Cleaning the environment – A good general cleaning will get rid off the source of fleas. Cleaning the pet will not prevent the recurrence of flea allergy. The environment must be cleaned too.
· Applying anti-itch medications – These medicines can be administered orally or by direct application on the affected area. They will reduce the painful itching and prevent further infection.
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The Flea Allergy In Dogs And Cats
Cat Allergy
Cat Allergy
If we were smart we would avoid things that we are allergic to but who said most of us were smart or sane when it comes to our pets. For most cat lovers there is no way they are going to part with their beloved pet because of a cat allergy.
That means you’ll need to learn to manage your cats and your cat allergy symptoms. Although you might not rid yourself of your cat allergy you should be able to make your symptoms manageable.
In case you have forgotten we’ll give you a little reminder about the allergens and the fact that they are airborne so when you breathe them in you can have a cat allergy reaction. There is a high rate of contamination and recontamination.
1. No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed
Okay no monkey’s here but there will be no more cats sleeping on your bed. This might be the hardest habit to break but it’s a small price to pay to wake up clear headed in the morning and without your cat allergy bothering you.
2. No Trespassing
The bedroom has to become a cat free zone and this will reduce the allergens to almost zero. Don’t give into your cats. They’ll find somewhere else they love to curl up and you’ll find yourself suffering a lot less with your cat allergy.
3. Give Me An H..E..P…A
HEPA air filters do a great job of cleaning the air in your home and because cat dander is so difficult to pick up this is a smart way to be effective and help your cat allergy.
4. HEPA Vacuum
Vacuuming just became that much more important. You need to invest in a HEPA vacuum cleaner and you need to vacuum walls, carpets, furniture, and just about anything else that lives in the house other than Grandma’s fine china. You need to do it at least twice a week to reduce your cat allergy.
5. Steam Clean
Using a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home will kill the proteins in the dander. This has been scientifically proven. What that means is for under a hundred dollars you can rid your home of everything and you’ll find your cat allergy is forgotten.
6. Wash Em Now!
Always wash your hands right after handling your cat and make sure you do not rub your eyes at any time even after you’ve washed your hands. Your cat allergies will be better.
7. Heat It Up!
Wash all your bedding in water that is 140 degrees and do this twice a month to eliminate dust mites and cat allergens.
8. Bath Your Cat
Yes we know that this task could easily be worse than your cat allergy but you simply have to do it at least once a month and more often if you can.
What’s most important to realize when you suffer from a cat allergy is that you do not have to get rid of your cat. Your cat is a family member and getting rid of your cat is like getting rid of one of your children. You can have your cat and your cat allergy too.
About the Author
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