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Flea allergy is a very common pruritic dermatological condition in the dog. This dermatitis occurs in young adult dogs of any sex. Certain breeds may be predisposed. Clinical signs are usually more severe during the warm season. They are characterised by a pruritic erythematous papular eruption affecting the caudal aspect of the dog. Dorsolumbar pruritus and lesions are characteristic diagnostic criteria. With time, lichenifi cation, hyperpigmentation, scaling and crusts appear gradually. Recurrent pyotraumatic dermatitis in the dorsolumbar area, and fi bropruritic nodules and crusted papules in the umbilical area may be particularly suggestive of fl ea allergy dermatitis. Secondary infections are common. Demonstration of fleas or their feces can be difficult because flea allergic dogs remove them from their hair coat during excessive grooming. A flea comb can greatly improve this examination but a negative search should not rule out this hypothesis. Whatever the test used (live flea challenge, intradermal skin testing with flea extracts, in vitro serological or cellular test) allergy testing is controversial in the diagnosis of flea allergy dermatitis because of its poor reliability. Although not perfect, a clinical approach combining thorough history and physical examination, elimination of other differentials and response to strict anti-flea treatment is adopted by most authors. |
