These vexatious little parasites can do more harm than just causing scratching and itchiness in pets—they can spread some serious and fatal flea-borne diseases in pets and humans. That being said, by now you know how important it is to be aware of such diseases! Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. Here’s all you need to know about some surprising flea diseases that affect pets and humans:

Plague:

Pets may get plague from flea bites, as fleas transmit Yersinia Pestis—the strain that causes plague. However, cats are more susceptible to this disease as compared to dogs. Pets may show symptoms like lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and pneumonia upon infection.

Moreover, humans can also pick up plague from pets by direct contact with pet’s infectious exudates, oral secretions, or fleas themselves if proper precautions are not taken while dealing with infected cats or dogs.

Murine Typhus:

Generally, it’s rats that carry fleas carrying Murine Typhus but cats can easily pick up such infected fleas too! When an infected flea bites a cat and causes bite-wound, flea dirt (flea poop) carrying the bacteria causing Murine Typhus- Rickettsia typhi can enter the bite and cause infection.

Humans can also get infected by Rickettsia typhi by breathing the flea dirt or accidentally rubbing it in the eyes. Symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, stomach pain, and rashes. If left untreated, it can also damage various organs.

Bartonellosis:

This occurs in cats and dogs when infected with fleas carrying the bacteria called Bartonella. Although it is rarely transmitted through cat scratch or cat bite bartonellosis is also known as “Cat scratch disease”.  Humans can also get infected by Bartonella through infected pets.

Pets may show symptoms like lameness, arthritis, and inflammation in the heart and brain, or maybe asymptomatic; whereas humans may show symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, inflammation in eyes, altered brain functions, etc.

Tapeworms:

Tapeworms, the grossest parasites, can find homes in the intestines of dogs, cats, and humans. These nasty parasites can live inside fleas and pets may swallow fleas while grooming themselves. Once they enter a pet’s body they keep growing inside their intestines unless treated.

However, it is uncommon for humans to take up tapeworms from pets but children may get affected by swallowing infected fleas. Children and pets pass these tapeworms out through feces. It is easy to control and prevent tapeworms by using a range of preventive treatments available in the market these days. Have a look at the best dewormers by clicking here.

Tungiasis:

Tungiasis is a skin disease caused by female ectoparasitic flea- Tunga Penetrans, the smallest known flea. It is characterized by a lesion with a black dot in the centre at the site of infection. Tungiasis is transmitted in dogs, cats and humans; and can lead to skin inflammation, pain, and itching.

Apart from the ones mentioned here, there are several flea-borne diseases that pose a potential threat to our health as well as our beloved pet’s health. For this reason, it is always best to keep fleas at the bay by giving your pets preventive products regularly! fenben lab fenbendazol