Page 3 - Spring 2011

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by Nicky Lumley BVM&S, MRCVS, Toft Lodge Veterinary Centre.
The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is responsible for
most flea infestations seen in pet cats (and dogs). Rabbit and hedgehog fleas are also occasionally found. Fleas are extremely
common, and can cause a variety of symptoms. Often cats can have a mild infestation of fleas whilst showing no obvious
signs, although they are probably irritated. Common signs are itching and hair loss.
PETS...
Your vet will be able to discuss all of
these essential requirements with you,
advise you on where and what to buy,
and will be able to help if that animal
becomes sick. Most exotic pets if kept in
the correct environment rarely become ill
so getting their husbandry right is
absolutely vital.
One example are bearded dragons or
'beardies' which originate from the Australian
desert. To mimic this lizard's natural
environment we need to create an
artificial sun using a special mercury
vapour bulb which provides a source
of daylight, heat, and ultraviolet
(UV) light. Alternatively a spot light
and ultraviolet strip light can be
used as long as UVA and UVB
are emitted by the bulb;
these UV strips will need
replacing every 6 months
as the UV radiation
deteriorates over time. All heating and lighting
is usually placed at one end of the vivarium to
create a temperature gradient which allows the
beardy to choose where it feels comfortable.
Several hides or shelters need to be included,
a minimum of one at the 'hot end' and one at
the 'cold end'. Thermometers at each end of the
vivarium allow you to monitor the environment
closely and adjust the temperature accordingly.
A hygrometer which measures humidity should
also be installed.
Beardies need to bask, or sunbathe, for up to
12 hours per day to warm their bodies, kick
starting their metabolism so they will eat and
function normally.
Insects such as locusts, crickets, mealworms
or wax worms, should be dusted in calcium
powder, which is important to maintain healthy
bones, and fed 3-4 times weekly. Bugs can be
bought in tubs from your local exotic pet shop
and are fed live. Beardies also need a varied diet
of vegetable and plant material available daily,
along with a wide shallow water bowl to bathe
in and drink from.
Each species will have individual requirements
and as long as we try to understand where
they come from and how they live in the wild
hopefully we can create an environment that
closely matches their natural one. If you're
thinking of getting an exotic pet your vet will
be able to provide you with advice.
O
wning a pet is a privilege 47% of households in
the UK enjoy; currently an amazing 13 million
households have pets. Exotic pets such as
snakes, lizards, tortoises and spiders are becoming
increasingly popular, with approximately 1.9 million
exotic pets in the UK today! Keeping exotic pets can
be relatively straightforward once the animal’s individual
requirements are met, but the initial cost of a vivarium
with specific lighting, heat, humidity, and slightly
unusual food can reach hundreds of pounds before
an animal is even purchased.
by
Emma James BVSc, BSc (Hons), MRCVS,
St Boniface Veterinary Clinic
EXOTIC
Adult fleas feed on
blood, so severe
flea infestations can
cause their host
cat to become
anaemic leading
to weakness and
sometimes even
death, especially in
young kittens.
The cat flea is also an
intermediate host for the tapeworm
Dipylidium caninum, one of the most
common gut worms found in dogs, cats
and, rarely, children. Immature flea larvae
eat the egg of the tapeworm, the egg
develops into the next lifestage inside the
adult flea, and is swallowed along with
the flea during grooming.
The other major problem fleas cause
to cats is Flea Allergy
Dermatitis (FAD). We see FAD frequently,
and it is in fact the most common cause
of itchy skin disease in cats.Unfortunately
it is often difficult to prove that fleas are
the cause, as allergic cats tend to groom
much more than normal and often
remove the adult fleas and their 'dirt'.
FAD is seen in cats which develop
an allergic reaction to flea saliva and can
affect cats of any age, sex or breed. The
symptoms are secondary to the constant
itching caused by
FAD
, which leads to
overgrooming, hair loss, broken hairs,
scabs, skin infections, and sometimes
restlessness and weight loss. Because
allergic cats are so sensitive to flea bites,
only one or two bites a week can be
enough to keep the cycle of itching going
for the poor animal.
Treatments to kill and eradicate fleas
have improved dramatically in recent
years. There is however, a vast and
confusing array of products available.
What is not always apparent is that
these products vary markedly in their
composition, mode of action,
effectiveness and safety.
Fleas are incredibly efficient breeders,
one adult can become 1,000 fleas within
21 days! If you find adult fleas on your
pet, these represent about 5% of the
infestation, the other 95% will be in your
home as flea eggs, larvae and pupae,
SO FOR EVERY 1 FLEA YOU SEE, THERE
MAY WELL BE A FURTHER 19 YOU
DON'T SEE.
Because of this rapid life
cycle, effective treatment of a flea
problem requires an understanding
of both the cycle and where different flea
products can break it. Whichever product
you choose for your pet's flea control,
make sure it will work for you by getting
the right advice from your vet first.
n grow
!
The effect of
fleas
on cats
U KNOW...
y adult flea,
are 500
ial fleas
at
stages in
r house