What cat fleas look like, symptoms and treatment

 


A cat is that fluffy little ball that gives its owners love and devotion, filling the house with special warmth. For their part, people should be attentive to their pet and take care of its health.One common problem is having cat fleas. This is the most common parasite in animals, especially if they visit the street, although living in a house is not insured.

At the first sign of the presence of a flea pet, you must immediately take measures to domestic destruction. After all, parasites can cause great harm to the cat, as they are carriers of dangerous diseases. By feeding on blood, insects are capable bite a man and infect it. You can get rid of fleas with success at home. But before that you should consult with a veterinarian and choose effective drugs or folk remedies. You should not hesitate, because in neglected cases the immunity of the pet weakens, which would entail very serious consequences. Therefore, all owners should know what fleas look like in cats, the first signs of infection and what means to fight with them.

General characteristics of fleas

In most cases, fleas in cats that live in a pet's fur are one of the most common insect species - the cat flea or Ctenocephalidesfelis.They can parasitize on other animals, such as dogs, rats, rabbits, and also use human blood at an opportunity. At the same time, there are other types of fleas on the cat. Visually distinguishing them to a non-expert is almost impossible, but can be studied in detail in the photo posted in the article.

 


Cat flea is most common in cities, as confirmed by studies conducted by Russian scientists, parasitologists. This is explained by the fact that in settlements there are a large number of homeless animals that live in the basements of apartment buildings. Unsanitary conditions contribute to the spread of this species of insects. If your pet walks on the street, then returning to the house, he can bring on his fleas:

  • after talking with basement dwellers;
  • taking a walk around the contaminated area;
  • hooking eggs or insect larvae with their paws.

People are also able to bring parasites on their shoes or clothes to the premises, because flea eggs can fall off the coat of infected animals anywhere.

Externally, the parasites resemble small, very smooth and shiny grains of plants.Body length reaches 2-3 mm. Different insects of this species differ in the structure of the head and the number of setae on the legs. You can study them in detail only with the help of a microscope or by carefully examining a photo of a flea in a cat, placed in our article. Parasites have such structural features:

  • The body elongated and flattened, allowing for rapid movement between the hairs of the animal's hair, is covered with numerous spikes and bristles.
  • Lack of wings.
  • Long hind legs, providing high jumping ability and the ability to move around the surface at any angle.
  • Dark brown or black solid chitin cover.
  • The oral apparatus is piercing-sucking, equipped with a special stylet for piercing the skin.

Interesting! Fleas can jump 30 cm in length, and 19 cm in height. This is more than a hundred times their body size.

Flea eggs and larvae
Flea eggs and larvae

The reproduction of bloodsuckers occurs with a complete transformation cycle, that is, they pass through the stages of an adult insect, eggs, larvae, and pupae. The lifetime of an insect is about two years. They multiply very rapidly - the female can lay up to two thousand eggs for the entire period. Flea puts them where necessary.This fact is explained by the fact that it “shoots” them, as it were, and the contents of the masonry scatter in different directions with great speed. How the eggs of fleas in cats look like can be seen in the photo. Their number can reach up to 30 pieces per day. After about two weeks, the larvae appear. In appearance, they resemble a worm. Flea larvae in cats live in the garbage, dust, or they can be found on the bedding of a pet. They feed on decaying organic matter or blood in the excrement of adult parasites. Over time, the larva turns into a pupa and emerges from it as an adult insect.

Interesting! The appearance and structure of the flea almost did not change in 50 million years. This fact is confirmed by archaeological finds of scientists.

Signs of parasite in a cat

The presence of fleas in cats can be determined by specific symptoms that are difficult not to notice:

  • Persistent itching, the cat does not just itch, but bites into the fur with anger.
  • The animal shows anxiety, mewling mournfully, attracting attention to itself.
  • Rash on the skin in the form of red dots.
  • During combing, brown lumps spill out of the wool, it can be dried blood at the site of bites or flea feces.
  • When viewed on the body and in the animal's coat, subtle parasites are visible.

    Flea kittens
    Flea kittens

The presence of fleas in the cat may indicate helminths, which can be seen by examining the animal's feces.

The initial stage of infection is difficult to determine, because visually detecting parasites is practically unrealistic, and the behavior of the animal is almost the same as how it always manifests itself. But if you notice that the pet often scratches, it must be carefully examined. The presence of black tiny dots between the hairs indicates that these are flea excrement. Caring owners should immediately take steps to destroy the parasites.

Consequences of infection

Untimely measures can lead to serious consequences:

  • The animal falls out of the flea bite. The affected skin becomes inflamed and swollen.
  • Persistent itching leads to the formation of deep, non-healing wounds.
  • Persistent skin irritation causes dermatitis and dermatophiliasis.

All this leads to a deterioration in the physical and mental state of the animal. Scientists have proved that these parasites are the owners of several dozen worms.Flea larvae feed on helminth eggs, which can maintain their viability in the stomach of an adult insect. Gnawing a flea, the cat will surely pick up such a sore as helminthiasis. All this is vivid examples of what are dangerous fleas.

Consequences of fleas in cats
Consequences of fleas in cats

Blood suckers spread dangerous fungal and viral infections. Among them are serious diseases such as mycoplasmosis - the defeat of various organs of the cat, rickettsiosis - the feverish state of the animal. The last stage of infection can lead to a complete balding of the pet, and he may have mental problems.

A very big danger is fleas for kittens. The fragile body of a small animal is not able to resist such a serious danger that can lead to irreversible consequences. Finding signs of flea bites on a cat expecting offspring is necessary get rid of them immediately, after consulting with a specialist. Delayed treatment adversely affects kittens and the health of the mother.

Cat fleas are rarely able to bite humans. The consequences are fraught with both minor and big troubles.When bitten by an insect, a special substance that prevents blood from clotting is introduced into the victim's body. The human immune system reacts to them in the form of an allergic reaction. At the same time, fleas are carriers of serious diseases:

  • the plague;
  • typhus;
  • brucellosis;
  • encephalitis;
  • anthrax;
  • rabies;
  • salmonellosis and more than 200 serious illnesses.

They are all very dangerous to humans and animals. Therefore, at the first detection of fleas in a cat, it is necessary to treat the infected animal immediately.

Preparations for the treatment of the animal

Having an idea of ​​what a flea looks like in a cat, it is necessary to take into account the fact that parasites use the animal as food, and they live and breed in the immediate vicinity of it. Therefore, the effectiveness of the fight against bloodsuckers involves a number of activities:

  • Carefully comb the animal with a special brush or try to catch at least partially the parasites. How many fleas can be difficult to say, but it will become much easier for a pet after this procedure.

    Before treating a cat
    Before treating a cat
  • After consulting with the vet pick up shampoo for cats and other insecticidal drugs.
  • To process a cat, strictly guided by instructions in the instruction.
  • As a preventive measure put on a pet. flea collar.
  • Limit the communication of the cat with animals living on the street and monitor its cleanliness.
  • Disinfect the apartment and animal litter, or replace it with a new one. Using special means it is necessary to process the cracks, carpets, sofas and, if possible, all the things in the apartment, because fleas can live anywhere.

Fleas in cats is not a sentence, the main thing is to start the process of getting rid of them in time. After a full range of activities you can be sure that the result will be positive.

Treatment of an infected pet

To solve the difficult question of choosing an effective drug for fleas is possible only with the help of a qualified specialist in the field of veterinary medicine. What are the drugs and how to use them, without causing harm to your pet, tell the doctor. Self-selection of drugs can harm the cat. It is strictly necessary to abandon products containing permethrin, amitraz and organophosphates.These insecticides can adversely affect the health of the animal.

To the most often recommended effective means relate:

  • Flea shampoos. These are the optimal drugs that have a mild effect. They are non-toxic and effectively destroy parasites on the coat. Regular use will save your pet from bloodsuckers. Popular detergents are “Celandine”, “Phytoelite”, “Bio Groom”, Meadow, Leopard other;

    Flea shampoos
    Flea shampoos
  • Insecticide parasite drops. They must be rubbed into the skin, applied to the withers and between the shoulder blades so that the animal cannot lick them. The advantage - have a long prolonged effect, so do not use it often. Such insecticides are effective: 4 with a tail, Front line, Delicious, Rolf Club 3D, Barrier, Dana Ultra Neo, Stronghold, Advantage, Blohnet, Celandine, Helminthal, Inspector and other drugs, the properties of which can be found in detail in a veterinary pharmacy.
  • Flea spray. Considered the most radical, but rather toxic means. Used in the case of a large number of parasites in the cat.When handling these drugs should strictly adhere to the requirements of the instructions in order to avoid poisoning the pet. It is not recommended to handle nursing cats and kittens.
  • Injection. Injections in the form of injections help to quickly solve the problem. Means "Ivermek" shown with 10 weeks of age.
  • Powder insecticides. Similar to the type of application for sprays. They require careful handling, the excess powder must be combed from the cat's body with a special comb.
  • Flea Collars. Have a preventive effect. It is recommended to wear a cat before going out. The collar will protect the animal from infection. Contraindications - may cause allergies and skin irritation. The most popular products of such companies: Leopard, Celandine, Beafar, "Hartz", "Bolfo", "Bio-Band", "Ceva" and others.

    Flea collar
    Flea collar
  • Folk remedies. They suggest thoroughly combing the cat's hair, but this process can be difficult and not give the desired effect in the presence of flea eggs. This procedure is preferably carried out on a white cloth (sheet, diaper), on which the fleas themselves, their color and feces are clearly visible.In the living room is recommended to lay out wormwood leaves as a deterrent. Another effective way is to use tar soap when bathing a domestic cat.

All of these tools are good in their own way. It is best if these activities, including cleaning the premises, are held in the complex.

It is widely believed that fleas are an indispensable attribute of a cat. This is an erroneous statement, because a caring and attentive host has a healthy and well-groomed pet. A flea is a very dangerous parasite that can cause a lot of trouble, both to the animal and its owner. Looking at the photo, you now know what the color of the flea and how they look. Using the visual image, and the above information, you can easily help your beloved pet.


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