Fleas have tremendous reproductive capacity. The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common and is able to produce up to 1000 eggs with the larva taking only a few months to reach adulthood.
They are biting insects which feed off the blood of their host, whether it is animal or human. Linked to this method of nutrition and their capacity to reproduce, public and personal health can be affected in a number of ways.
Pruritus
Pruritus is more commonly called itchiness. It is caused by a reaction to the saliva secreted whilst the flea is feeding to stop the blood of the host coagulating.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
More serious that pruritus, FAD is an allergic reaction of the animal to the saliva of the flea. It may be caused by repeated exposure to fleas. Typical reactions include redness, severe itching, secondary infections caused in part by scratching, and in some cases hair loss. Humans as well as animals can suffer from FAD.
Dehydration
Animals subject to a severe infestation can loose sufficient fluids to cause dehydration.
Anaemia
Because fleas are feeding on the blood, there is a possibility that prolonged or repeated infestations can cause anaemia. In other words, there is a reduction in the number of red blood cells which carry oxygen needed for every organ in the body to operate. A wide range of health problems can result, from a general feeling of weakness to heart failure. Young animals are more at risk.
Treatment of the house by flea bombs, or the animal by topical sprays, shampoos or powders are several measures that can be taken to eliminate an infestation.
