What does a cat have in its fur, fleas? - briefly
Cats can host fleas, tiny blood‑sucking parasites that live in the coat and skin. The insects lay eggs that drop onto the environment, leading to further infestation.
What does a cat have in its fur, fleas? - in detail
Cats carry a variety of organisms and substances within their coats. The most common external parasite is the flea (Ctenocephalides felis). Adult fleas are small, wing‑less insects that feed on blood several times a day. Their life cycle consists of egg, larva, pupa and adult stages; eggs are deposited on the host’s fur and fall to the environment, where larvae develop in organic debris such as skin flakes and litter. A single female can lay up to 50 eggs per day, leading to rapid population growth if control measures are absent.
Fleas cause irritation through repeated bites, which can trigger dermatitis, hair loss and secondary bacterial infections. In addition, they serve as vectors for pathogens such as Bartonella henselae (cat‑scratch disease) and Rickettsia spp. Adult fleas are easily seen as moving specks; larvae are soft, white, and hidden in the nest material; pupae remain in cocoons until stimulated by heat, carbon dioxide or vibrations.
Other elements found in a cat’s fur include:
- Dander: microscopic skin flakes that can provoke allergic reactions in humans.
- Sebum: oily secretions from sebaceous glands that give the coat its natural sheen.
- Environmental debris: dust, pollen, plant material and hair from other animals.
- Mites: such as Demodex or Otodectes species, which may cause itching or ear inflammation.
- Ticks: larger arachnids that attach for several days to feed on blood and may transmit diseases like Babesia or Anaplasma.
Detection methods:
- Visual inspection using a fine‑toothed comb; fleas and flea dirt (digested blood) appear as dark specks.
- Microscopic examination of combed material to confirm flea larvae or eggs.
- Skin scrapings for mites; ear swabs for ear mites.
- Environmental sampling of bedding and carpets for flea larvae and pupae.
Treatment protocols:
- Topical ectoparasiticides: spot‑on products containing fipronil, imidacloprid or selamectin, applied monthly.
- Oral systemic agents: nitenpyridine, spinosad or lufenuron, administered according to weight.
- Environmental control: vacuuming daily, washing bedding at >60 °C, applying insect growth regulators (IGR) to indoor areas.
- Manual removal: combing to extract adult fleas and flea dirt, followed by bathing with a veterinarian‑approved shampoo.
Prevention strategies focus on regular application of long‑acting ectoparasiticides, maintaining clean living spaces, and routine veterinary examinations to monitor for infestations and related health issues.