What do flea bites look like on Yorkies? - briefly
Flea bites present as tiny, red, itchy welts, frequently grouped around the tail base, abdomen, and neck of a Yorkshire Terrier. The lesions may show a small puncture center and can become inflamed or crusted if the dog scratches them.
What do flea bites look like on Yorkies? - in detail
Fleas inject saliva when they bite, causing a localized inflammatory response that is visible on a Yorkie’s skin. The reaction typically appears as a tiny, raised red spot about 1–3 mm in diameter. The center may be slightly darker, surrounded by a paler halo of inflammation. Because Yorkies have a short, fine coat, the lesion is often seen as a small patch of reddened skin rather than a protruding bump.
Common locations include the lower abdomen, base of the tail, inner thighs, and the neck where the fur is thin. Bites frequently occur in clusters, forming a line or a small group of punctate lesions. When a dog is highly sensitive to flea saliva, the spots become larger, swollen, and intensely itchy. Scratching can produce secondary lesions such as crusted scabs, hair loss, or open sores that may become infected.
Key characteristics to recognize:
- Size: 1–3 mm papules, sometimes larger with allergic reaction.
- Color: bright red core with a lighter surrounding area.
- Distribution: clustered or linear, often on the ventral body surface and near the tail.
- Texture: smooth initially, then may develop a raised, firm edge if inflammation increases.
- Behavior: intense pruritus, leading to self‑trauma, hair breakage, and secondary infection.
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a severe form of the reaction. In FAD, lesions become papular, pustular, or form hot spots—areas of thickened, moist skin that ooze fluid. The condition may spread to the ears, paws, and muzzle, and the dog may exhibit chronic scratching or licking.
Differential considerations:
- Mite infestations (e.g., sarcoptic mange) produce more widespread alopecia and papules with a different distribution.
- Contact dermatitis from chemicals or plants usually presents as a single, localized area without the characteristic clustered pattern.
- Bacterial skin infections generate pustules and crusts but lack the initial bite‑size red papules.
Timelines: visible reactions emerge within 24–48 hours after a flea bite. Persistent lesions beyond a week suggest ongoing infestation or secondary infection. Prompt treatment—effective flea control, antihistamines, or corticosteroids for allergic cases, and wound care for infected sites—reduces lesion duration and prevents complications.