What problems can fleas cause?
Fleas can be the cause of tapeworms. When the infected tapeworm eggs are released into the environment, they have to be swallowed by immature flea larvae. Once inside the larval stage of the flea, the tapeworm egg continues to develop into an infective tapeworm as the flea matures into an adult flea. During grooming or in response to a flea’s bite, the dog or cat can ingest the flea carrying the infective tapeworm and the life cycle is completed. Fleas can also cause anemia in young or emaciated animals. A single female flea can take up to 15 times her body weight in blood over the several weeks of her adult life. Flea allergic dermatitis is a common problem that we see here at Prairie View Animal Hospital. Symptoms include, but are not limited to excess scratching generally over the rear half of the body. This scratching can cause the skin to become red and irritated, hair loss, and even sores.
