Beyond causing serious discomfort, fleas can carry diseases dangerous to both you and your pet. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae, which your pet can ingest. In cats, in particular, fleas can carry an organism called Bartonella henselae, which is the cause of cat-scratch disease in humans.
Many cats are also so allergic to fleabites that a single bite can cause an intense allergic reaction. When the skin is irritated or inflamed, it can also become infected with bacteria or other pathogens, making the problem worse.
There are numerous signs that indicate that your cat may have fleas. If your cat scratches occasionally or constantly it may be a sign of fleas. Redness or oozing lesions on the skin can be signs of flea allergy dermatitis, a condition caused by fleas. Tiny black dots on your cat might be an indication of flea dirt, or flea feces, an obvious indication that there are fleas present on the pet.
Heartworm disease is also a significant problem in the Tampa Bay area. Cats do not develop the signs of heart disease that we see in dogs with heartworms. They develop respiratory problems which can be fatal.
For this reason, we recommend using a product that kills fleas AND prevents heartworms.
Be wary about flea products that are sold over-the-counter. Many of them are ineffective, others can be downright dangerous. To learn more, click here.
Flea Prevention