The flea is one of the most common external parasites on dogs. It is an annoying insect that is quite an athlete and is very adapted to its host, so once our friend is parasitized, it is difficult to get rid of them, due to their ability to remain in the environment in their immature forms and for the Ease for adults to be transmitted by contact between dogs with their congeners or with other animals.
Already, its bite is annoying, it produces a lot of itching and even, if the parasitism is very high, especially in puppies, it can lead to anemia in the dog because it is a hematophagous parasite, that is, it feeds on the blood of its host.
But that's not all, since in addition to the uncomfortable bites, they can be vectors of diseases that can become serious and that can become a public he alth problem, since some of them they are susceptible to transmitting to the human species That is why good prevention is worth using specific products to combat these insects. Above all, it is important to protect our dog between spring and autumn, but really, with the heating of the home and the increasingly warm winters, it is advisable to protect them all year round. In this article on our site, you will find 5 diseases that fleas transmit to dogsDo not miss it!
1. Dipilidiosis
This ailment is caused by an intestinal parasite belonging to the family of tapeworms or flatworms; that is, a cestode of the species Dipylidium caninum. It is the main disease transmitted by fleas, which are intermediate hosts of this parasite and dogs (definitive hosts), are infected by ingesting a flea which in turn is parasitized with the larval stage of the parasite, called cysticercoid. The main species of fleas involved in transmission are Ctenocephalides canis or felis (dog and cat fleas, respectively, although they can parasitize both species equally).
The life cycle of this parasite requires intermediate hosts (in this case insects, mainly fleas or lice to a lesser extent) to complete. The gravid proglottids (morphological sections of the body of this type of worm with ovigerous capsules inside and capable of movement) reach the environment through the feces or migrate to the dog's anus from the intestine and release the eggs. The flea larvae, which are coprophagous (they feed on feces and other remains of organic matter), ingest the parasite eggs and the larval or cysticercoid phase will develop in the adult flea, which will be the one that infects the definitive host (dogs)., cats and humans). After ingestion of the flea, the adult stage will develop in the small intestine of our dog, a phase that will last about 20 to 30 days.
Many times it doesn't matter symptomatology than anal itching, and we will see that our pet drags the anus on the ground and licks the area. However, if the parasitism is high, other symptoms may appear such as a digestive condition (in which constipation can alternate with diarrhea), growth retardation in puppies or worsening of the he alth of the skin and coat (excess shedding, dullness, brittle hair, etc). Even in very serious parasitizations, epileptiform pictures have been given, being very rare.
To diagnose the disease, a stool analysis is usually performed to observe the ovigerous capsules and, in addition, the proglottids are usually seen with the naked eye in feces, hair, or surfaces where the animal rests (they usually look like grains of rice). In addition, a previous history of flea parasitism in the patient is taken into account.
It is important to carry out regular deworming, both external and internal, to prevent our furry from being infected with this parasite. If we have children at home, it would even be advisable to deworm them monthly, since it is a parasite that can parasitize people (human beings are an accidental host) and children are more susceptible to contracting it, either through accidental ingestion of fleas or direct contact with proglottids released into the environment. It is what is known as zoonosis, which is defined as a disease that is naturally transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.
Consult your veterinarian for the best deworming guideline according to your dog's environment and lifestyle.
two. Hemoplasmosis (Mycoplasmosis)
The way in which infection by hemoplasmas (also known as Haemobartonella) is transmitted, remains unknown to this day. However, fleas and ticks seem to be involved. Infections can also occur through transfusions with blood from infected dogs. Both feline and canine hemoplasmas are a group of bacteria with a global distribution, although their prevalence is highly variable.
Infection with Mycoplasma haemocanis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum has been described in dogs. In any case, it is considered rare and has been seen above all in immunosuppressed dogs, for example due to splenectomy (removal of the spleen) or the presence of other concomitant diseases.
The most common clinical signs are pale mucous membranes (anaemia), lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, depression and fever. To diagnose the infection, a blood sample is taken and a blood smear is taken (observing the bacteria attached to the red blood cells). Other complementary diagnostic techniques may also be used.
To treat this infection, it is necessary to use specific antibiotics and sometimes, although patients recover clinically, the infection is not completely eliminated and becomes chronic. If your dog presents any of the symptoms described, go to your veterinarian as soon as possible to evaluate the case.
3. Bartonellosis
This disease is also caused by bacteria, in this case of the genus Bartonella spp, which infect red blood cells and endothelial cells (cells that line the blood vessels). In general, it is a much more common disease in cats and the predominant species is Bartonella henselae, which can also be transmitted to humans, especially those with compromised immune systems, through a cat scratch cat with nails contaminated with infected flea faeces (i.e. also a zoonosis).
The main vector of this bacterium is the cat flea or Ctenophalides felis felis, which has a global distribution. Bartonella spp have also been isolated from other species of fleas and ticks, but their involvement in disease transmission is unclear. There are asymptomatic animals, with those immunocompromised patients presenting more serious symptoms.
In dogs, although the most recognized species of Bartonella is B.vinsonii Subspecies berkhoffii, new presentations of infections by species that were previously considered typical of the cat or other species are continually being described, and so on, until the Date species that have been found in the dog include B.henselae, B. vinsonii ssp. berkhoffii, B. clarridgeiae, B washoensis, B. quintana, B. rochalimae, B. elizabethae, and recently, B. koehlerae.
In this species, we observed the main clinical signs: epistaxis or nosebleeds, endocarditis, neurological disorders, bone disorders, as well as liver and spleen or vasoproliferative lesions. Its transmission to humans also seems to be related to dog bites or scratches and it is suggested that in this case the saliva of the sick animal is involved (whether cat saliva is also involved in transmission to people is still under investigation).
Diagnosis is made by blood culture combined with bacterial DNA detectionin blood or other tissues. Frequently, however, diagnosis is complicated by the fact that it is a very slow-growing bacterium, which can lead to false-negative culture results. Another complication in its diagnosis is the presentation of very diverse and non-specific clinical pictures.
4. Murine typhus
Most Rickettsioses are transmitted by ticks. However, endemic or murine typhus, an infectious disease with a wide geographical distribution caused by Rickettsia typhus, a bacillus of the rickettsiae family, is transmitted to man (zoonosis) through the bites of infected fleas. The main vector of this bacterium is the rat flea, belonging to the species Xenopsylla cheopis, the peridomestic rat being the main reservoir. It is considered an emerging infectious disease and increasingly endemic in more areas. In Spain, cases have been described in the provinces of Seville, Huelva, Murcia and the Canary Islands.
Transmission to humans is accidental, due to contamination of the bite area or excoriations on the skin with infected flea feces.
In addition to the involvement of the rat flea, the involvement of the species Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) has recently been shown, both in the biological cycle and in transmission to people. That is why both dogs and cats are also considered reservoirs of the disease. Like the rest of the Rickettsiae, it is an obligate intracellular parasite, small in size and with little viability outside its host.
The most frequent symptoms associated with this disease are acute fever, arthromyalgia (joint pain), headache, fatigue and rash (red skin rash associated with fever). In most cases it usually resolves without sequelae, but in a small percentage, there are more serious cases in which there may be multiple organ failure, respiratory distress, shock, seizures, etc.
Although it is still under study and there are no conclusive results yet, it is considered that another species of Rickettsia: R. felis, may also be involved in the development of murine typhus. This is also transmitted by the cat flea, C. felis, which is why once again dogs and cats are becoming increasingly important as reservoirs of the disease.
5. Flea Allergy Dermatitis (D. A. P. P)
Allergic dermatitis to flea bites is the most frequent in dogs and cats. Its origin is in the sensitization of the animal against antigens (proteins or fragments thereof) present in the saliva of the flea, giving rise to an exaggerated response by the immune system against these antigens. It is what is known as hypersensitivity reaction This reaction is independent of the number of fleas parasitizing the animal, being enough the bite of a single flea to trigger said response.
The age of appearance is between 3 and 6 years old It is usually seasonal, coinciding with the months of greatest flea activity (approximately between April and October), although it can be extended to the rest of the year if the flea remains in the dog's environment (especially inside the home, where we usually have optimal conditions for the development of the flea all year round). In any case, it is usually more intense in the warm months and the clinical picture usually worsens with age. Clinically it is characterized by the appearance of papulo-crusted lesions, associated with very intense itching. They are usually located in very characteristic areas, mainly the lumbosacral region, and can extend to the perineal area, the ventral abdomen and the flanks.
Likewise, continuous scratching in chronic cases can lead to secondary infections of the skin, self-induced alopecia and the appearance of seborrhea.
The treatment involves a exhaustive flea control It is important to treat the animal, its environment and all the animals that live with it. In very severe cases, it may be necessary to use corticosteroids, but they will always be complementary to parasite control treatment, never as the only treatment.
We must be very strict and ensure that the treatment is prophylactic, that is, try to prevent our dog from becoming parasitized, taking all possible preventive measures. In cases that have become chronic, in addition to the above, it may be necessary to use antibiotic therapy and shampoo therapy to combat secondary infections and seborrhea. Your veterinarian will always evaluate the case individually to prescribe the ideal treatment.
What to do if you notice flea bites on your dogs?
The different diseases transmitted by fleas make it highly recommended to visit the veterinarian, who will be able to carry out the pertinent diagnostic tests to rule out the presence of any type of bacteria, infection or parasite that is using fleas as an intermediate vector.
In addition, the specialist will recommend the treatment indicated to eliminate fleas on the dog, which will vary depending on whether the affected individual is a adult dog or puppy Remember that specific products are used to eliminate fleas on puppies.
What to do if fleas affect you too?
If you are also experiencing body itching, you may want to review flea symptoms in humans as well as flea-borne diseases at man, since, as we have mentioned, in some cases these parasites can be carriers of zoonotic diseases.
Don't forget that in order to completely get rid of fleas, you'll need to follow proper veterinary treatment and rid your home of fleas by including your dog's bed, toys, sofas, blankets, rugs, etc.
