Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
You may not even be able to see the flea
MetPet.com Staff Writer
Flea Allergy Dermatitis is the number one cause of continuing skin problems in
dogs in the USA. It also occurs in cats but does not appear as widespread or
as
common. Fleas hop onto their hosts and
pierce the skin to ingest a blood meal. Flea saliva contains enzymes and
histamine-like substances which cause allergic reactions. These allergens circulate
through the blood where antibodies develop in response.
Symptoms of FAD in dogs include excessive itching and
discomfort. Commonly affected areas include the rump around the tail, down the
thighs and on the stomach. Other areas such as the ears and neck can also be
affected.
 As dogs scratch, they create additional problems and "hot spots"
can develop. The flea may bite in one area but the irritation can occur anywhere.
Hot spots are moist, scab-covered, often bloody and irritated areas where dogs have
scratched or bitten themselves excessively because of the irritation. If not
treated, this could lead to permanent hair loss and other dermatological problems and
infections. Dogs that have been exposed to many flea bites appear to
develop a resistance. They may not develop any symptoms or have very mild
ones.
Cats can develop FAD in the face, neck and
along their backs. They also experience itching and irritation possibly
leading to hair loss and crusty scabs.
It can be very difficult to pinpoint FAD as the cause of your
pet's skin problems. Even though a skin (intradermal) test can indicate the presence
of the allergens, there is not positive way to exclude other causes of dermatalogical
disease. There are other allergens and disorders that can cause skin problems.
However, it is important to remove as many fleas as possible from both your pet and
his environment.
Related information:
Fleas: an Introduction
Fleas: Advanced Control
Allergies in Dogs
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