With all the advances veterinary medicine has made in the last decade, you would think that flea borne disease would be eradicated. However, we still see cases where our patients are getting sick from fleas.
Fleas can transmit infectious diseases to our dogs and cats, cause mild to life threatening anemia's, transmit tapeworms, and cause significant skin irritation to our pets and humans.
Fleas are parasites that suck blood from their host of choice; in this case my feline patient Katie.
Katie presented to my office with extreme lethargy and just not acting herself. Upon her physical exam I found fleas and flea dirt in her coat.
As I checked her mouth, I noticed that her gums were pale. This is a sign we see when our patients are anemic. Anemia is defined as a reduced number of red blood cells in a pets circulation. Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues. If there are inadequate numbers of these red blood cells you will feel tired and when severe enough will have difficulty breathing from a lack of oxygen carrying red blood cells.
A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry blood panel were done on Lola. Her CBC supported our clinical findings and demonstrated a pronounced anemia. Katie's PCV was 10%. (normal is about 35%)
Some anemia's can be so severe that a blood transfusion is needed.
Fortunately, Katie did not require a blood transfusion. I treated aggressively with flea control. In this case I used Revolution which is a heartworm preventative, flea and intestinal parasite treatment. This preventative therefore can treat any hookworms that Katie may have had which also contributes to anemia as they are blood sucking parasites as well. In addition, I prescribed a liquid multivitamin to help rebuild red blood cells faster and doxycycline in case Katie also became infected with a flea transmitted infection called hemobartonella. This parasite is a common cause of anemia as well. After only a couple of days, Katie was feeling much better and is more active. She is very lucky. She came very close to needing a transfusion and hospitalization but her owners keen eye prevented that!
Glad you are feeling better Katie!!
KEEP THESE UGLY PARASITES AWAY WITH A GOOD FLEA CONTROL PRODUCT!!
Dr. Kim Simons
West Boca Veterinary Center
www.westbocavet.com
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