Are Flea Bites Dangerous?

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Flea Bites

Flea bites are more than just itching and irritation. Not only can they cause larger health issues for your pets, they can also threaten the health of you and your family. Fleas are parasitic creatures and one of the byproducts of them feeding on the blood of many different animals is that they become vectors for parasites, viruses and other diseases. Read below to find out more about the most common flea-borne diseases and maladies that can burden both you and your pets. 

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Fleas are known to cause itchy bites in cats and dogs, but can cause further agony beyond just their bites. Many animals are allergic to flea saliva which can directly cause flea allergy dermatitis. If a cat or dog is bit by a flea and then continues to scratch at that bite, the scratching can directly cause swelling, irritation, welts and even broken skin. These skin issues can then lead to painful skin infections which can be costly and difficult to treat. Humans are not immune to flea allergy dermatitis and suffer the fallout of intense allergic reactions to flea bites and flea saliva.  

Bartonella

Bartonella is a common flea-transmitted illness in cats, especially, but can also be transmitted to dogs. Bartonella is associated with heart disease, eye inflammation and seizures if not treated quickly and thoroughly. The treatment for bartonella typically includes up to three months of antibiotics to fully eliminate the disease. Humans can also get bartonella, often called cat scratch fever, which can include complications such as eye infections, encephalitis, fever and severe muscle pain.

Tapeworms

When a flea has taken up residence in the fur of a dog or cat and that animal subsequently grooms themselves, accidentally ingesting that flea, your pet may contract tapeworms. Tapeworms are serious and necessitate a consultation with a veterinarian. If left untreated, tapeworms can cause malnutrition and weight loss. 

While there are mitigating treatments and measures one can take to prevent and control for flea infestations, fleas in the home can be a serious situation with detrimental outcomes. Call a pest care professional to help you with fleas in your home so that you can properly protect you and your home from the possible transmission of flea-borne diseases.

Find A Pest Specialist For Flea Control

If you are concerned about flea control for your home, please give us a call or fill out the form on this page. PestControlExperts.com is a team of experts who are highly qualified to provide the best recommendations for you and your home, no matter which part of the United States you live in.