Canine Flea Allergy ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your dog's symptoms with any of your concerns about the dog's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your dog's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Canine Flea Allergy

What are allergies, and how do they affect dogs?

One of the most common conditions affecting dogs is allergy. In the allergic state, the dog's immune system overreacts to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. The specific response that occurs is related to the type of allergy present.

Does that mean that there several types of allergies?

There are five known types of allergies in the dog: contact, flea, food, bacterial, and inhalant. Each of these has some common expressions in dogs, and each has some unique features.

What is meant by the term flea allergy?

In spite of common belief, a normal dog experiences only minor skin irritation in response to flea bites. Even in the presence of dozens of fleas, there will be very little itching. On the other hand, the flea allergic dog has a severe, itch-producing reaction to flea bites. This occurs because the dog develops an allergic response to the flea's saliva. When the dog is bitten, flea saliva is deposited in the skin. Just one bite causes intense itching.

What does this reaction do to the dog?

The dog’s response to the intense itching is to chew, lick, or scratch. This causes hair loss and can lead to open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to begin. The area most commonly involved is over the rump (just in front of the tail). This is probably because fleas find this part of the dog more desirable. Many flea-allergic dogs also chew or lick the hair off of their legs.

What is the proper treatment?

The most important treatment for flea allergy is to get the dog away from all fleas. Strict flea control is the backbone of successful treatment. There are many products available for flea control, and many work in an entirely different manner. In some cases, multiple products may be needed. Some are used on the dog and some in the dog’s environment. Unfortunately, complete flea control is not always possible for dogs that live outdoors in warm and humid climates, where a new population of fleas can hatch out every 14-21 days.

Some dogs can be desensitized to the adverse effects of flea bites. Flea saliva extract (flea antigen) is injected into the dog in tiny amounts over a prolonged period of time. This is an attempt to reprogram the dog’s immune system so it no longer over-reacts to flea bites. If successful, itching no longer occurs or is less intense when the dog is bitten. However, this approach is only successful about 50-75% of the time.

When strict flea control is not possible, corticosteroids (or cortisone or steroids) can be used to block the allergic reaction and give relief. This is often a necessary part of dealing with flea allergy. Some dogs respond best to long-acting injections and others to oral medication. Dogs are more resistant to the side-effects of steroids than humans, but significant side-effects can occur. For this reason, the goal is to administer the smallest amount of steroid needed to keep the dog comfortable.

Some dogs develop a secondary bacterial infection in the skin. When this occurs, appropriate antibiotics must be used.

INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions which are specific for your dog will be provided by your veterinarian

___ 1) An injection of steroids was given. Relief should be apparent within 12-24 hours. If not, please call your veterinarian. Your dog should feel better and itch less for about one month. It is important that you immediately institute appropriate measures of strict flea control.

If an increase in water consumption or urination occurs, please report this to your vet for future reference. These side-effects are common with steroid administration and will go away in a few days without treatment. They may be avoided in the future by giving a lower dose. Return for further evaluation when the first signs of itching recur.

___ 2) Begin oral steroids when the first signs of itching return. Give ____ tablets every other morning. Adjust the dosage upward or downward to the lowest effective dose, with a maximum dose of __________ permitted. Stop giving the medication every 4-6 months to see if there are times of the year when therapy is not needed. Report any increase in water consumption to your vet at once.

___ 3) Your vet has dispensed oral steroid tablets. Prednisone is most commonly used. The specific drug being dispensed for your dog is labeled on the bottle. Give ____ of the ____ mg tablets every other day for 3 doses (6 days), then ____ tablets every other day for 3 more doses (6 more days). Continue this downward progression (_________________________) until the first signs of itching recur. At that time, go back to the next higher level and report that level to your vet so he can be sure it is a safe level.

Stop giving the tablets every 4-6 months to see if there are periods of the year when they are not necessary. When itching returns, begin immediately at the maintenance dose. If that does not stop the itching, increase the dosage slightly (to a maximum of ___ tablets) for a few doses, then return to the lower dose. Report any increase in water consumption to your vet at once. (This may occur at the initial dose but should stop on the maintenance dose.)

___ 4) Flea control is very important and should include treating the dog and his environment. The following products are recommended for your situation:

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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Bear in mind that flea allergy often accompanies other types of allergy, especially inhalant allergy. If your dog itches when fleas have been eliminated, notify your vet of that so that he can modify the treatment approach.

___ 5) Your dog has a bacterial skin infection secondary to its flea allergy. The following are recommended:

___a) Antibiotics are to be used for the next _____ days. If the infection is not gone by the time the medication is completed, call for a refill or for a change in medication.

___b) The medicated shampoo, ___________________________ , is to be used every _____ days. Allow the shampoo to stay in the haircoat for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing the dog.

___c) The topical medication, _____________________________, is to be used ______ times daily for __________ days.

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/flea-allergy.html

Resource References:
Much, much appreciation to Dr. Raymond Van Lienden, DVM of Clifton, VA USA for his extensive research in locating the material found on this page. Thank you, dear Doctor!